US Open becomes first major tournament to cave to Saudi-backed LIV Golf
US Open becomes first major tournament to cave to Saudi-backed LIV Golf
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LIV Golf players have been handed a route back into major championships, after the US Open confirmed it will provide a specific new exemption in 2025. Since the formation of the Saudi-backed breakaway tour, players who left for huge amounts of cash have not been able to accrue world rankings points, making it difficult for them to play at The Masters, US Open, the Open, or the PGA Championship - golf's four major tournaments.
That is now set to change in 2025, after the US Open became the first to cave into LIV's demands, announcing a new exemption specifically for the breakaway league. The USGA announced the news on Wednesday, revealing in a statement that a full exemption will be awarded to 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'. As it stands, some LIV players have been able to compete in the majors through their previous wins - for example, Bryson DeChambeau won the US Open last year.
Current rules state that any major winner is allowed to play in any of the four majors for five years after their victory, while Masters winners are exempt at Augusta for life. Bryson DeChambeau holds the US Open trophy after winning the 2024 edition at Pinehurst. In the PGA Championship, past winners can play every year, Open champions are exempt until they're 60, and US Open winners are guaranteed a place for 10 years.
The new exemption opens the door wide for some of LIV's lesser names, though, with a further 'local exemption' being awarded to the top 10 players in LIV's rankings. Speaking after the news was announced, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said: 'We're pleased that the USGA has formally created a new exemption for LIV Golf players to compete in the US Open and appreciate Mike Whan's leadership and commitment to growing the game of golf.
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