Hatton, Niemann eye 2025 Open spots thanks to Race to Dubai finishes

Thanks to their final positions in the 2024 Race to Dubai, LIV Golf players Tyrrell Hatton and Joaquin Niemann should be secure for next year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Hatton finished 4th and Niemann 25th in the final season-long points standings after Sunday’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Although the Open has yet to officially announce its complete exemption qualifications for 2025, one of the exemptions in previous years has been the top 30 finishers in the Race to Dubai.

Hatton and Niemann were among the 16 LIV Golf players who competed in the 2024 Open at Royal Troon, with Jon Rahm producing the best result, a tie for seventh.

One of Hatton’s exemptions for 2024 was his top-30 finish in the 2023 Race to Dubai, while Niemann qualified via his win at the Australian Open, an Open Qualifying Series event. Niemann will defend that title in two weeks.

Assuming the top 30 Race to Dubai exemption has not changed, 10 LIV Golf players are now set for Royal Portrush, including past champions Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen, Cameron Smith and Henrik Stenson.