USGA grants LIV Golfers direct path to U.S. Open

In a landmark decision, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has become the first major governing body to grant direct entry for LIV Golf players into a major championship. The new exemption pathway, announced Wednesday, will allow top-performing LIV golfers to qualify for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, set for June 12-15.

“For the 2025 championship, a full exemption will be awarded to the top player, not otherwise exempt, who finishes in the top three of the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 19,” the USGA statement read. Additionally, local exemptions will be granted to the top 10 players in the standings as of April 7, 2025.

The USGA also outlined a similar structure for 2026. A full exemption will be awarded to the highest-ranked non-exempt player finishing in the top three of the 2025 LIV standings by May 18, 2026, as well as the top player in the top three of the 2026 standings by the same date. Local exemptions will extend to the top 10 LIV players from the 2025 and 2026 standings as of April 6, 2026.

The move marks a pivotal moment for LIV Golf, whose players have faced uncertainty over access to golf’s biggest stages since the league’s controversial launch in 2022. LIV CEO Scott O’Neil welcomed the decision, calling it a step toward unifying the sport.

“We’re pleased that the USGA has formally created a new exemption for LIV Golf players to compete in the U.S. Open and appreciate Mike Whan’s leadership,” O’Neil said. “Every golf fan wants to see the best players compete at the highest level, and LIV Golf is committed to working alongside golf’s governing bodies to elevate the sport worldwide.”

The USGA’s decision could influence other major championships as the debate over LIV Golf’s place in the sport continues to evolve.

Here’s the full list of exemptions from local and final qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open:

F-1. Winners of the U.S. Open Championship the last 10 years:
F-2. From the 2024 U.S. Open Championship, the 10 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 10th place:
F-3. Winner of the 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championship:
F-4. Winner of the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship:
F-5. Winners of the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships, and the 2024 U.S. Amateur runner-up (must be an amateur):
F-6. Winners of the Masters Tournament 2020-2025:
F-7. Winners of the PGA of America Championship 2021-2025:
F-8. Winners of The Open conducted by the R & A 2021-2024:
F-9. Winners of The Players Championship 2023-2025:
F-10. Winner of the 2024 DP World Tour BMW PGA Championship.
F-11. Those players who qualified and were eligible for the season-ending 2024 Tour Championship:
F-12. Multiple winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the FedExCup, from the conclusion of the 2024 U.S. Open (June 13-16) to the initiation of the 2025 U.S. Open:
F-13. The Top 5 players in the 2025 FedExCup standings as of May 19, 2025, who are not otherwise exempt:
F-14. The points leader from the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season using combined points earned on the Official Korn Ferry Tour Regular Season Points Standings and points earned in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals:
F-15. The top two players from the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings, who are not otherwise exempt as of May 19, 2025.
F-16. The top player on the 2025 Race to Dubai Rankings as of May 19, 2025, who is not otherwise exempt.
F-17. Winner of the 2024 Amateur Championship staged by the R&A (must be an amateur)
F-18. Winner of the 2024 Mark H. McCormack Medal (Men’s World Amateur Golf Rankings) (must be an amateur)
F-19. Winner of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Individual Golf Championship (must be an amateur)
F-20. Winner of the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship (must be an amateur)
F-21. From the current Official World Golf Rankings, the top 60 points leaders and ties as of May 19, 2025.
F-22. From the current Official World Golf Rankings, the top 60 points leaders and ties as of June 9, 2025
F.23. Winner of the 2024 Olympic Gold Medal, contested August 1-4, 2024:
F.24. The top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 19, 2025.
F-25. Special exemptions selected by the USGA. Deadline for submission of request: May 15, 2025