LIV-Specific U.S. Open Exemptions Starting This Year

While the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, and PIF, presumably, continue to negotiate the collaboration among the three golf leagues, the rest of the professional golf world is forced to continue moving forward.

And in the absence of material delays, it seems the United States Golf Association (USGA) has determined that LIV golfers are, like their PGA TOUR colleagues, entitled to compete in their events, including, most notably, the U.S. Open.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Starting this year, the USGA will begin offering full exemptions 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. In addition, a local exemption will be awarded to the top 10 players from the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of April 7, 2025.

The LIV full and local exemptions will both be modified and expanded for 2026.

Full Exemption

• The top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the Final 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 18, 2026
• The top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 18, 2026

Local Exemption

• The top 10 players from the Final 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings
• The top 10 players from the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of April 6, 2026

As has been in the case in recent years, golfers will still be eligible to obtain an exemption through performances in center events (e.g., U.S. Open Champions from the prior 10 years) or, instead, participating in two-stage U.S. Open qualifying (local and final), which will continue to be conducted at U.S. and international sites in April, May and June.

The USGA’s shift acknowledges what many LIV fans have been saying—that the best players aren’t exclusively found on the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour. Indeed, concurrent with the announcement, John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer, stated that:

“The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship. Consistent with our historical approach, we continuously evaluate talent levels on professional tours and in amateur events, which has led us to add a new exemption category.”

It is reasonable to assume that this will tip the negotiating leverage in PIF’s favor, in addition to delivering another black-eye to the Official World Golf Ranking, which has been heavily criticized by LIV, as well as other professional golfers, for this debatable allocation of ranking points.

Cover Image via U.S. Open