The long-standing battle between LIV Golf and the Majors has finally shifted in favor of the Saudi-backed circuit.
For the first time since its inception, LIV Golf players will have a direct pathway into a Major championship, as the USGA has officially created an exemption category for LIV golfers at the U.S. Open.
This landmark decision means that one of the top three players in the LIV Golf individual rankings by May 19 will earn a spot in the 2025 U.S. Open. Beginning next year, that number will increase to two players.
For LIV Golf, this is a massive victory—but for the golf world, the reactions have been mixed.
The U.S. Open Becomes the First Major to Welcome LIV Players on Merit
While some LIV players have continued competing in the Majors based on previous victories and high finishes before defecting, the majority have been locked out due to the lack of Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
With LIV Golf events not earning OWGR points, its players have struggled to qualify for the biggest tournaments, unless they were already exempt through past wins or ranking status.
But now, the USGA has taken the first step toward reintegration, allowing the best-performing LIV players a chance to compete in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in June.
John Bodenhamer, director of the USGA championship, defended the decision, stating that the organization is focused on talent, not politics.
“The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship,” Bodenhamer said, as quoted by Reuters.
“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.”
While only one LIV golfer will benefit from this rule in 2025, the expansion to two spots in 2026 suggests that the door is finally opening wider for LIV players in Major championships.
LIV CEO Scott O’Neil Hails the Decision as a Step Toward Unification
Scott O’Neil, the recently appointed CEO of LIV Golf, wasted no time praising the decision, calling it a win for golf fans and for the sport itself.
“Golf fans want to watch the greatest players in the world at the Majors,” O’Neil said.
“This is just one step in making that happen.”
O’Neil also reiterated LIV Golf’s continued willingness to work with the sport’s governing bodies to create a unified structure that benefits all professional players, regardless of the tour they play on.
For LIV’s leadership, this is a positive development that could eventually lead to broader acceptance across the Majors—and perhaps, even greater collaboration between LIV and traditional tours.
A New Precedent? Will the Other Majors Follow?
With the U.S. Open now providing a merit-based exemption for LIV players, the question remains: Will The Masters, PGA Championship, and Open Championship do the same?
- The Masters has remained firmly traditional, and while past LIV champions like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Jon Rahm will always have invites, Augusta National has yet to indicate whether it will extend exemptions to LIV players based on merit.
- The PGA Championship, run by the PGA of America, has been somewhat more open, allowing LIV players to compete through sponsor exemptions and special invitations—but no official exemption has been created yet.
- The Open Championship (British Open), governed by The R&A, has yet to comment on whether it will follow the USGA’s lead.
If other Majors adopt a similar stance, it could force the OWGR committee to reconsider its refusal to award LIV Golf ranking points—one of the biggest barriers preventing LIV players from qualifying for top tournaments.
For now, though, the U.S. Open has taken a bold step in ensuring that the best players—regardless of their tour affiliation—have a chance to compete on the biggest stage.
What Does This Mean for LIV Golf’s Future?
This development signals a significant shift in the golf landscape, potentially marking the beginning of LIV Golf’s integration into the broader ecosystem.
- LIV players now have a direct path to the U.S. Open, meaning the tour can offer its stars a legitimate route back into Major championship golf.
- This increases LIV Golf’s credibility, proving that it produces players worthy of competing at the highest level.
- More exemptions could lead to greater collaboration, with governing bodies slowly moving toward a more unified professional golf structure.
For the first time in years, it feels like progress is being made toward golf’s fractured ecosystem healing—and it all starts with one spot at the U.S. Open.
Is this the beginning of the end of the PGA-LIV divide? Or just a temporary compromise?
The next few months will tell us everything we need to know.
