LIV Golf Gets Another Victory As Pathways To More Majors Open Up

LIV Golf has landed another crucial victory on its way to being recognized as a legitimate golf tour, in spite of its modern landscape and less-than-traditional format.

After the USGA announced earlier this week that it would give exemptions to the U.S. Open to high-performing LIV Golfers based on their individual standings, The R&A is also doing the same for The Open Championship.

The Telegraph reported this morning that the R&A is creating new pathways for LIV Golfers to qualify for its Major in Europe each year. While the USGA made an official statement, the R&A has yet to comment on it publicly.

And the LIV week gets better

EXCLUSIVE: LIV’s double deal as players to be handed Open berths after ITV agreement https://t.co/vPcklxyVdq

— James Corrigan (never had a blue tick) (@jcorrigangolf) February 7, 2025

LIV Golfers have been at a disadvantage in terms of qualifying for Major Championships because their format of 54 holes instead of the traditional 72-hole tournament disqualifies the players from earning points on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). 

The OWGR is used by the Majors to determine which players should qualify for the tournaments off merit and not off of past performances in those specific tournaments. For example, at The Masters, past champions are invited back every year. The Top 12 and ties are invited back the following year.

Without these two being accomplished, LIV Golfers stand a small chance of qualifying for the Majors if they do not win them outright. These new pathways being created seem to be an attempt at leveling the playing field and legitimizing a golf tour that is evidently going to be around for some time.

Cover Image via Golf