USGA creates exemption for LIV Golf players to earn spot in 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont

Posted by author February 5, 2025 Golf

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The U.S. Golf Association has become the first major golf association to create a direct path to a major championship for LIV Golf players.

The association announced Wednesday its exemption categories for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, set for June 12-15. Among those include direct access for top LIV players, not otherwise qualified, to play in the U.S. Open.

“For the 2025 championship, 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,” the USGA release states. “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 exemptions will also be adjusted slightly for 2026, as well. A full exemption will be awarded to 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 and 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 exemptions will be awarded to the top 10 players from the final 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings and the top 10 players from the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of April 6, 2026.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil responded to the USGA’s news Wednesday.

“We’re pleased that the USGA has formally created a new exemption for LIV Golf players to compete in the U.S. Open and appreciate Mike Whan’s leadership and commitment to growing the game of golf,” O’Neil said in a release. “Every golf fan in the world longs to see the greatest players in the world competing on golf’s biggest stages at the majors. LIV Golf is committed to working hand in hand with golf’s governing bodies to elevate the sport in all corners of the world.”

Here’s the full list of exemptions from local and final qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open:

F-1. Winners of the U.S. Open Championship the last 10 years:
F-2. From the 2024 U.S. Open Championship, the 10 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 10th place:
F-3. Winner of the 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championship:
F-4. Winner of the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship:
F-5. Winners of the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships, and the 2024 U.S. Amateur runner-up (must be an amateur):
F-6. Winners of the Masters Tournament 2020-2025:
F-7. Winners of the PGA of America Championship 2021-2025:
F-8. Winners of The Open conducted by the R & A 2021-2024:
F-9. Winners of The Players Championship 2023-2025:
F-10. Winner of the 2024 DP World Tour BMW PGA Championship.
F-11. Those players who qualified and were eligible for the season-ending 2024 Tour Championship:
F-12. Multiple winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the FedExCup, from the conclusion of the 2024 U.S. Open (June 13-16) to the initiation of the 2025 U.S. Open:
F-13. The Top 5 players in the 2025 FedExCup standings as of May 19, 2025, who are not otherwise exempt:
F-14. The points leader from the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season using combined points earned on the Official Korn Ferry Tour Regular Season Points Standings and points earned in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals:
F-15. The top two players from the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings, who are not otherwise exempt as of May 19, 2025.
F-16. The top player on the 2025 Race to Dubai Rankings as of May 19, 2025, who is not otherwise exempt.
F-17. Winner of the 2024 Amateur Championship staged by the R&A (must be an amateur)
F-18. Winner of the 2024 Mark H. McCormack Medal (Men’s World Amateur Golf Rankings) (must be an amateur)
F-19. Winner of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Individual Golf Championship (must be an amateur)
F-20. Winner of the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship (must be an amateur)
F-21. From the current Official World Golf Rankings, the top 60 points leaders and ties as of May 19, 2025.
F-22. From the current Official World Golf Rankings, the top 60 points leaders and ties as of June 9, 2025
F.23. Winner of the 2024 Olympic Gold Medal, contested August 1-4, 2024:
F.24. 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.
F-25. Special exemptions selected by the USGA. Deadline for submission of request: May 15, 2025