R&A announces Open Championship exemption based on LIV Golf standings

The R&A announced a new qualification category Monday that provides a pathway for LIV Golf players to earn entry into The Open Championship.

The leading player not already exempt in the top five of the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings following the final round of LIV Golf Dallas on June 29 will be awarded a place in The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, July 17-20.

Mark Darbon, chief executive at The R&A, said in a statement: "The Open is a global championship for the best men’s golfers and each year we review our exemptions to ensure that we offer pathways into the Championship based on results achieved on the leading professional tours.

"We acknowledge that players competing in LIV Golf should also have the opportunity to secure places in The Open through its individual season standings as well as existing pathways.

"We are proud to offer a wide range of opportunities to qualify globally and look forward to seeing which golfers will emerge to take their place at Royal Portrush in July."

In addition, the International Series Macau presented by Wynn was named as one of the 15 Open Qualifying Series events that provides an opportunity to earn an exemption. The International Series is a set of 10 elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour that offers promotion to the LIV Golf League.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said in a statement: "We thank Mark Darbon for his leadership and the R&A for taking this step for the benefit of moving golf forward.

"The Open Championship is one of the most prestigious events in all of sports. The acknowledgement that competitors from the LIV Golf League and The International Series will have the opportunity to play in golf’s original major is a true testament to the strength of fields and the R&A’s commitment to golf fans around the world.

"LIV will continue our mission to bring the best players to the four corners of the world to grow the game. We are excited for the future of this great sport.”

Monday’s announcement by the R&A comes less than a week after the USGA became the first major championship to announce an exemption based on the LIV Golf Individual Standings, with the top player not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 as of May 19, 2025, earning a spot into the U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont on June 12-15.

Currently, 12 LIV Golf players have already secured spots for Royal Portrush: Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Marc Leishman, Tom McKibbin, Phil Mickelson, Joaquin Niemann, Louis Oosthuizen, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith and Henrik Stenson.