The US Open will become the first major to offer an exemption to a LIV Golf player based on their tour ranking

In a landmark decision, the US Open is breaking ranks and becoming the first major golf tournament to offer an exemption to players on the LIV Golf tour based on their performance.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced that the top player from the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf tour, who is not otherwise exempt, will directly earn a spot in the US Open field.

Moreover, the top 10 players in the LIV Golf standings as of 7 April will bypass local qualifying, advancing straight to the final 36-hole qualifying stage.

The 2025 US Open will take place at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania from 12-15 June.

LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil welcomed the move, saying: “Every golf fan in the world longs to see the greatest players in the world competing on golf’s biggest stages at the majors. LIV Golf is committed to working hand in hand with golf’s governing bodies to elevate the sport in all corners of the world.”

USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer added: “Consistent with our historical approach, we continuously evaluate talent levels on professional tours and in amateur events, which has led us to add a new exemption category.”

Until now, none of the other majors had extended a direct exemption linked to the LIV Golf points system.

The US Masters and the PGA Championship have, however, granted special exemptions to LIV golfer Joaquin Niemann. Sergio Garcia also received an invitation to the PGA Championship.

Niemann and Garcia finished second and third, respectively, in the 2024 LIV Golf individual standings behind Jon Rahm.

Rahm already possesses exemptions for all of this year’s majors thanks to his victories at the 2021 US Open and 2023 Masters.

LIV golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who won the 2024 US Open, is already exempt, along with Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson, based on past championships.

This decision arrives amid prolonged negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV’s financial backers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), as they attempt to bridge the divide within the world of golf.