USGA set to ‘create a pathway’ for LIV Golf players into US Open
The chief championships officer of the USGA has revealed that LIV Golf players could soon have a direct pathway into the US Open, ensuring more of the world’s top golfers compete together. Currently, only 12 LIV Golf players are set to compete in the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina. Three LIV…
The chief championships officer of the USGA has revealed that LIV Golf players could soon have a direct pathway into the US Open, ensuring more of the world’s top golfers compete together. Currently, only 12 LIV Golf players are set to compete in the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.
Three LIV Golf players—Eugenio Chacarra, Dean Burmester, and David Puig—qualified through the US Open qualifying events. They join nine already exempt LIV Golf players: Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer, Cameron Smith, Phil Mickelson, Tyrrell Hatton, and Adrian Meronk.
Notably absent from the field are LIV Golf stars like Joaquin Niemann, Talor Gooch, Patrick Reed, and Sergio Garcia, although Garcia could still qualify as an alternate after narrowly missing out in a recent qualifying event.
The current number of LIV Golf entries falls short of the 13 that participated in The Masters and the 16 at the US PGA Championship last month, which included some late invites. DeChambeau came closest to securing a major win for LIV Golf, finishing one shot behind Xander Schauffele at the US PGA Championship.
John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief championships officer, indicated that the number of LIV Golf participants in the US Open is likely to increase in the coming years through a direct pathway.
“From the beginning, we’ve been open: you earn your way in, you get to play, whether through qualifying or exemption as a past champion,” Bodenhamer told Golf Channel. “We’ve watched what’s happening in professional golf and seen many good players go over to LIV. We’re thinking seriously about creating a pathway to give those great players an opportunity to be unified again. There will be many exempt and qualified players this week, so yes, we’re looking very seriously at that.”
**Exemptions and Qualifications:**
– **Past Champions (10-year exemption):** Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer, Brooks Koepka
– **Top 10 Finish Last Season:** Cameron Smith
– **2021 US PGA Champion:** Phil Mickelson
– **2023 Race to Dubai Rankings:** Adrian Meronk, Tyrrell Hatton
– **2024 US Open Qualifying Event:** Eugenio Chacarra, David Puig, Dean Burmester
As the landscape of professional golf continues to evolve, the USGA’s move to potentially create a direct pathway for LIV Golf players reflects a commitment to bringing together the best talent for future US Open championships.