Report: Open chiefs set to follow USGA's lead with LIV Golf announcement

The R&A is set to announce LIV Golf players will have starting berths in The Open, according to a report. 

Telegraph Sport have reported players from the breakaway tour will have guaranteed spots in golf's oldest major, starting from this year.

The 153rd Open Championship heads to Royal Portrush over 17-20 July. 

It is a hugely significant moment and represents a notable shift in attitude towards the PIF-backed circuit by the governing body. 

Former LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman was banned from attending the landmark 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022. 

Open officials claimed they wanted the focus to be on the tournament and not off-course matters. 

Norman had spent the months prior claiming he wanted to come out of retirement to play the landmark Open despite being aged 67 at the time. 

Exemptions to The Open are only given to former champions who are aged 55 or younger.

The news follows Wednesday's announcement from the United States Golf Association (USGA). 

The USGA said the top player from LIV, who is not otherwise exempt, will directly earn a place in the field at Oakmont in April. 

This number will increase to the top three in 2026. 

Additionally, the top 10 players in the LIV Golf standings on 7 April will also be exempt from local qualifying and instead go into the final 36-hole shootout. 

The 2025 U.S. Open will be held over 12-15 June. Bryson DeChambeau, who bolted from the PGA Tour in 2022 to join LIV, is the reigning champion. 

LIV's new chief executive, Scott O'Neil, hailed the announcement by saying: "LIV Golf chief executive Scott O'Neil said: "Every golf fan in the world longs to see the greatest players in the world competing on golf's biggest stages at the majors.

"LIV Golf is committed to working hand in hand with golf's governing bodies to elevate the sport in all corners of the world."

The Masters and PGA Championship are yet to make any announcements about whether they intend to offer LIV players starts based on their performance on the league. 

Augusta National have invited LIV's Joaquin Niemann to play for the past two years. 

Niemann, though, has won on the DP World Tour and is a former Latin America Amateur champion. 

The Chilean has also been invited to take part in this year's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. 

As has Sergio Garcia. 

In 2025, DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson are fully exempt into the four majors. 

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour says it is closer to securing a deal with LIV's backers - the Saudi PIF - after asking American president Donald Trump to get involved. 

Trump met with PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott earlier in the week. 

Talks have been ongoing since 6 June 2023 but no formal agreement has come to pass. 

A joint-statement from Monahan, Scott - and Tiger Woods - said: "We asked the president to get involved for the good of the game, the good of the country, and for all the countries involved.

"We are grateful that his leadership has brought us closer to a final deal, paving the way for reunification of men's professional golf."

More positive news for LIV Golf

LIV Golf have also announced a deal with ITV to show live action and highlights from its 14 events this year. 

At the turn of the year, LIV confirmed another noteworthy partnership with Fox. 

It means that LIV will be the only live free-to-air coverage of golf available in the UK. 

Sky Sports shows live action and highlights of the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and TGL. 

Niall Sloane, the director of ITV Sport, said: "This is an exciting time for LIV Golf as we look ahead to the innovative 2025 season.

"This partnership delivers free-to-air coverage for fans and we are delighted to welcome LIV Golf to ITV Sport."

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