Between their 2025 season-opening event in Saudi Arabia and their second start this week in Australia, members of the LIV Golf League got good news in the form of an announcement from the R&A about a direct pathway to competing in the Open Championship.

On Monday, the governing body revealed its list of exempt categories for this summer’s competition at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, including a new provision for the top player in the LIV Golf League individual ranking not already qualified to get a spot after LIV’s event in Dallas in June.

The R&A’s exemption is similar to the one LIV Golf received last week from the USGA when it announced an exemption through qualifying for the U.S. Open for one player provided that player is among the top three in the individual standings.

While the number of LIV golfers is low, the symbolism of the measure is high and it provides an implied legitimacy on the nascent league.

“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,” said R&A chief executive Mark Darbon in a statement. “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.”

Shortly after the R&A announcement was made official—The Telegraph in the U.K. had reported the decision had been made last Friday—LIV Golf League CEO Scott O’Neil released 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.”

Adrian Meronk of Poland was the individual winner of LIV’s opening tournament this past weekend, winning by two shots in an event where all three rounds were played at night under lights.

Here is a complete list of all the exemption criteria the R&A has in place for the 152nd Open at Royal Portrush:

  1. The Open Champions aged 60 or under on 20 July 2025 (for all Champions up until 2024)
  2. The Open Champions aged 55 or under on 20 July 2025 (for all Champions from 2024)
  3. The Open Champions for 2014-2024
  4. First 10 anyone tying for 10th place in The 152nd Open at Royal Troon in 2024
  5. The first 50 players on the OWGR for Week 21, 2025
  6. First 25 in the Final Race to Dubai Rankings for 2024
  7. The BMW PGA Championship winners for 2022-2024
  8. First 5 DP World Tour members and any DP World Tour members tying for 5th place, not otherwise exempt, in the top 20 of the Race to Dubai Rankings on completion of the 2025 BMW International
  9. The Masters Tournament Champions for 2020-2025
  10. The PGA Champions for 2019-2025
  11. The US Open Champions for 2020-2025
  12. Top 30 players from the Final 2023 FedEx Cup Points List
  13. The PLAYERS Champions for 2023-2025
  14. First 5 PGA TOUR members and any PGA TOUR members tying for 5th place, not exempt in the top 20 of the PGA TOUR FedExCup Points List for 2025 on completion of the 2025 Travelers Championship.
  15. The first player and anyone tying for that place, not otherwise exempt, in the top 5 of the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Season Standings on completion of LIV Golf Dallas.
  16. The 2024 Olympic Men’s Golf Gold Medallist
  17. The 118th VISA Open de Argentina 2025 Champion
  18. The first 5 players on the 2025 Federations Ranking List as of closing date
  19. The Japan Open Champion for 2024
  20. The Senior Open Champion for 2024
  21. The US Amateur Champion for 2024
  22. The Mark H McCormack Medal (Men’s WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKING) winner for 2024
  23. The Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion 2024
  24. The Latin America Amateur Champion 2025
  25. The Africa Amateur Champion 2025
  26. The Amateur Champion for 2025
  27. The European Amateur Champion for 2025
  28. The Open Amateur Series winner 2025

Exemptions 21-28 can only be taken up by players retaining their amateur status.

OQS Australia – ISPS Handa Australian Open
OQS New Zealand – New Zealand Open
OQS South Africa – Investec South African Open
OQS USA – Arnold Palmer Invitational
OQS Macau – International Series Macau
OQS Korea – KOLON Korea Open
OQS Japan – Mizuno Open
OQS USA – the Memorial Tournament
OQS Canada – RBC Canadian Open
OQS Italy – Italian Open
OQS Scotland – Genesis Scottish Open

Final Qualifying – Burnham & Berrow
Final Qualifying – Dundonald Links
Final Qualifying – Royal Cinque Ports
Final Qualifying – West Lancashire

Main Image: Charles McQuillan/R&A