LIV Golf gamers now have their very own path to US Open exemption

The U.S. Open grew to become the primary main to publish a direct pathway for LIV Golf gamers, on Wednesday saying a brand new exemption class that awards one spot to the main participant from among the many prime three at LIV’s midway level this 12 months.

The subsequent exemption class will embrace one spot this 12 months from the Might 19 standings in LIV. Beginning with the 2026 U.S. Open, the USGA will take the main participant within the remaining 2025 particular person standings, together with the main participant from the Might 18, 2026, checklist.

In every case, the exemption goes to the main participant not already exempt, and the participant have to be among the many prime three within the standings.

The opposite majors haven’t turned away gamers from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League. The Masters has invited Joaquin Niemann every of the final two years, although Augusta Nationwide primarily based that on his worldwide play.

The PGA Championship has invited LIV gamers primarily based on their world rating, and for 2024 at Valhalla it invited Talor Gooch, who had gained thrice on LIV the earlier 12 months. However the PGA of America doesn’t have particular standards, lumping LIV gamers and others into “particular invites.” Niemann and Sergio Garcia have already got obtained PGA invites this 12 months.

For this 12 months’s U.S. Open, an exemption from qualifying will probably be given “the highest participant who isn’t in any other case exempt and within the prime three” of the LIV particular person standings as of Might 19.

That might imply nobody will get that exemption if the main three are already eligible. Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Richard Bland, Phil Mickelson and Cameron Smith are LIV gamers presently exempt.

“We’re happy that the USGA has formally created a brand new exemption for LIV Golf gamers to compete within the U.S. Open and admire Mike Whan’s management and dedication to rising the sport of golf,” mentioned Scott O’Neil, the brand new CEO of LIV Golf.

“Each golf fan on the earth longs to see the best gamers on the earth competing on golf’s largest levels on the majors,” O’Neil mentioned. “LIV Golf is dedicated to working hand in hand with golf’s governing our bodies to raise the game in all corners of the world.”

The U.S. Open is June 12-15 at Oakmont Nation Membership within the Pittsburgh suburbs.

“The USGA continues to judge the pathways that exist to make sure these taking part in their greatest have the chance to compete in our nationwide championship,” mentioned John Bodenhamer, the USGA chief championships officer.

“Per our historic method, we constantly consider expertise ranges on skilled excursions and in novice occasions, which has led us so as to add a brand new exemption class.”

Along with the brand new class, the USGA will supply exemptions from the primary stage of 18-hole qualifying beginning subsequent 12 months to the highest 10 gamers on the LIV factors checklist on April 7, 2026. 5 LIV occasions may have been performed by then.

LIV begins its fourth season on Thursday beneath the lights at Riyadh Golf Membership in Saudi Arabia, outfitted with its first community cope with Fox Sports activities. It additionally has occasions scheduled for Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Miami and South Korea earlier than the U.S. Open exemption deadline.

Gamers from the breakaway league all the time have been in a position to undergo qualifying — 4 LIV gamers made it by U.S. Open qualifying final 12 months. However having a set goal may very well be seen as a lift, notably to younger gamers who don’t have any standing on established excursions.

Among the many younger gamers who joined LIV Golf this 12 months are Tom McKibbin of Northern Eire, Frederik Kjettrup of Denmark, Luis Masaveu of Spain and Yubin Jang of South Korea.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf