USGA creates exemption pathway to LIV golfers for 2025 U.S. Open

The USGA announced that one LIV player will earn a full exemption into the 2025 major championship if he is not otherwise exempt and in the top three of the final 2025 LIV Golf individual standings as of May 18, 2026.

In addition, a local exemption will be awarded to the top 10 players from the 2025 LIV Golf individual standings as of April 7. Similar pathways exist for the 2026 season.

World-recognized LIV stars Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Richard Bland, Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson are already exempt. DeChambeau is the defending U.S. Open champion.

The USGA’s decision shows that the divided professional golf scene is learning to co-exist. As quasi-punishment to golfers who left the PGA Tour for LIV, they aren’t able to earn Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points to qualify for majors.

Consequently, some of the most highly-anticipated events lack truly the best field of players in the game. The USGA realizes that compromise is the only way for sustained intrigue and credibility.

Every tour in the world houses golfers capable of winning on the greatest stage. DeChambeau proved it last year with his U.S. Open win while also coming dangerously close in the PGA Championship and the Masters.

Providing exemption pathways for LIV players is becoming a trend for major tournaments. For example, the PGA of America extended a PGA Championship invitation to 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia.

These moves acknowledge that bringing the sport back together is good for business. LIV is the best tour at embracing social media and YouTube, where the sport is surging in popularity. The tour recently signed the most-subscribed solo amateur YouTube golfer, Rick Shiels, to meet the golfing audience where it’s growing.

The PGA Tour will always have its rich history and player success to fall back on. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had one of the best golfing years ever last season, world No. 2 Xander Schauffele won both the PGA Championship and the British Open last year and International icon and world No. 3 Rory McIlroy is the tour’s biggest defender.

The quality of PGA Tour golf will reign supreme, but whether it can keep up in the business of entertainment is to be seen. Golf is at its best when players work in tandem rather than in conflict.

Organizations dedicated to growing the game and producing the best product for their audience will have to embrace LIV as the capable competition it has become. The USGA is taking a step in the right direction with its announcement Wednesday.

Perhaps its resolution shapes the way for an amendment to the OWGR system before inevitable Ryder Cup controversy this fall.