The R&A have confirmed that LIV Golf have been offered a qualification process into the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush this summer. The decision was announced in a statement on Monday, which will see the leading player not already exempt in the top-five of the LIV individual standings following the end of the breakaway league's event in Dallas qualify for the final major championship of the season.
"The R&A has announced the qualification pathways for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush," a statement from Open bosses read. "This year, a new category has been introduced which will enable players competing in LIV Golf to earn a place in The Open. "The leading player not already exempt in the Top 5 of the 2025 Individual Season Standings following the completion of LIV Golf Dallas will be awarded a place in The 153rd Open.
"The new exemption complements existing qualification routes through the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour, the Race to Dubai on the DP World Tour and the International Federation Ranking for players competing on the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and the Sunshine Tour.". Discussing the change to the qualification process, R&A CEO Mark Darbon said: "The Open is a global championship for the best men’s golfers and each year we review our exemptions to ensure that we offer pathways into the Championship based on results achieved on the leading professional tours.
'We acknowledge that players competing in LIV Golf should also have the opportunity to secure places in The Open through its individual season standings as well as existing pathways. We are proud to offer a wide range of opportunities to qualify globally and look forward to seeing which golfers will emerge to take their place at Royal Portrush in July.”. For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US.
The decision is yet another monumental move for the LIV setup, who also received an exemption category into the US Open this month. Qualification into the majors has been the biggest kink in the LIV setup's armour, with the league hosting events without Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points on offer. The change from both the USGA an R&A in recent weeks is a huge step forward for the Saudi-backed league in establishing themselves at the the top of men's professional golf. When it comes to the US Open, the player not already exempt in the top-three in the LIV standards will qualify for the trip to Oakmont in June.
The major boost comes just weeks into the tenure of new LIV CEO Scott O'Neil, who thanked the R&A in a statement of his own. “We thank Mark Darbon for his leadership and the R&A for taking this step for the benefit of moving golf forward. "The Open Championship is one of the most prestigious events in all of sports. The acknowledgement that competitors from the LIV Golf League and The International Series will have the opportunity to play in golf’s original major is a true testament to the strength of fields and the R&A’s commitment to golf fans around the world.
"LIV will continue our mission to bring the best players to the four corners of the world to grow the game. We are excited for the future of this great sport.” There will also be opportunities for LIV players competing on the Asian Tour's International Series to also qualify. As a result, the Tour's event in Macau has been included in The Open's 2025 Qualifying Series, with three spots on offer. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories.
