Major Exemptions For LIV Golfers is Just Common Sense

I am the first to admit that I am not a fan of LIV Golf. Never have been, never will be.

However, I was delighted by the announcement that some common sense is starting to prevail and that the USGA has announced it will give an exemption into the US Open to a LIV player who is in the top three of the league’s standings on May 19, and is not otherwise exempt. The USGA has also created a local exemption that will see the top 10 in the LIV standings being exempt from local qualifying and go directly to a 36-hole final-stage qualifier.

Bryson DeChambeau is the current US Open champion and will also be in the field, while Brooks Koepka won the US PGA in 2023 after signing for LIV. Other exempt LIV golfers for the US Open at Oakmont are Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.

The Masters and the US PGA had already awarded special exemptions to LIV’s Joaquin Niemann and Sergio Garcia received an invited to play in the US PGA.

And now The R&A has decided to follow suit, confirming that this year, a new exemption category has been introduced which will enable players competing in LIV Golf to earn a place in The Open. The leading player not already exempt in the Top 5 of the 2025 Individual Season Standings following the completion of LIV Golf Dallas will be awarded a place in The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.

There are a couple of reasons to celebrate the USGA’s and R&A's announcements. First, it helps to perpetuate the growing belief that we might actually be on the verge of seeing some kind of deal that brings all warring factions together.

But far more important than that is surely the fact that all right-minded golf fans want to see the world’s best players teeing it up in the majors. Many LIV golfers have lost their chance of doing so because their tournaments are not awarded world ranking points, and that means an inevitable slide down said rankings. By announcing these exemptions, it guarantees a place in the US Open and Open for a world-class golfer who is in form and, therefore, a genuine contender.

I don’t care if a LIV golfer wins a major. The US PGA and US Open last year were both sensational for one reason and one reason alone - the contribution made by DeChambeau in finishing second at the US PGA and going one better at the US Open.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Despite this news, I still believe that, in the short term at least, Tom McKibbin is going to live to regret his decision to leave the DP World Tour for LIV.

The Northern Irishman says that jeopardising his chances of playing in majors and this year's Ryder Cup was not sufficient reason to decide against joining LIV Golf. That does not sound like a young man while either genuine ambition or a respect for the traditions of the game. I always thought that the best golfers played this sport because they dreamed of winning majors and joining the greats. But I guess that was before the Saudis came along waving their fat cheque books.

I have said before that although I do not wish McKibbin any ill-will, I simply do not believe that he has the personality to thrive in the LIV environment. He had earned a PGA Tour card through his play on the DP World Tour. It was a golden ticket - and he should have taken it.

He has qualified for this year's Open at Royal Portrush in his native Northern Ireland, but he had not secured a spot at The Masters, US PGA or US Open when making his big money move.

He said: "I'm not in those majors anyway at the minute, so it really didn't bother me too much." 

It didn’t bother him? Really? What about knuckling down, doing the hard graft and playing your way in?

Somewhat unconvincingly, McKibbin added: "I've watched this [LIV Golf] for the last couple years since it started and it's something that I've really liked to watch, something very different, something that probably appeals to more people my age. The opportunity to get to play with these guys here and learn from some of the best players in the world week in, week out is something that appealed very, very nicely to me."

Erm, what about learning from playing alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Tommy Fleetwood?