LIV Golf Gets Pathway Into Open Championship – Here’s Who Will Qualify

LIV Golf has now officially gotten the green light from the R&A, enabling players from the PGA TOUR’s most significant rival to qualify for The Open Championship, marking the second Major to cut out an official pathway into its tournament.

We reported last week that the R&A was considering the creation of specific pathways for LIV Golfers to qualify for the Major it runs, The Open Championship, which is played each year on European soil.

The R&A was ready to make the leap after the USGA did the same thing for the U.S. Open, giving LIV Golfers a way to qualify for its Major Championship without needing the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), which it does not qualify for.

Mark Darbon, Chief Executive at The R&A, said The Open is a Major that aims to put the best players in the world against each other, and it would be impossible to uphold that narrative without giving LIV Golfers a way to qualify:

“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.”

The R&A’s terms for LIV Golfers gaining qualification to play in The Open is listed as:

“The first player and anyone tying for that place, not otherwise exempt, in the top 5 of the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Season standings on completion of LIV Golf Dallas.”

LIV Golf Dallas will be played from June 27 to 29.

The move is a major step forward for the game as a whole and for LIV, which has been fighting for the equivalent of accreditation for several years.

The OWGR has turned LIV Golf aside on multiple occasions, leaving it in the hands of the Majors and their governing bodies to provide a pathway into the four biggest tournaments of the year.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said the decision brings golf forward and provides legitimacy to what he says is one of the most prestigious events in sports:

“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 acknowledgment 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.”

As for The Masters and the PGA Championship, no decisions have been made yet on providing a specific path for LIV Golfers based on the tour’s rankings and standings.

The Masters has typically invited players to its tournament based on playing level and merit. The PGA Championship, which is governed by the PGA of America, has not made any decisions.

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