The US Open becomes the first Major to grant an exemption to a LIV Golf star for Oakmont before Ulsterman Tom McKibbin makes his LIV Golf debut
LIV Golf has been given a major boost before the start of the new season on Thursday with the US Open granting an exemption for a top player from the breakaway league.
Ulsterman Tom McKibbin will make his debut in the floodlit opening event in Riyadh after ignoring Rory McIlroy’s advice not to join the Saudi-backed outfit. But the build-up to the fourth LIV Golf season has been dominated by the US Open – run by the United States Golf Association (USGA) – becoming the first Major to give automatic places to stars of the Saudi-backed league.
The top player not already qualified in the top three of LIV Golf’s standings on May 19 will earn a place in the field at Oakmont from June 12-15. There will be two exemptions in 2026. And the top 10 players in the standings on April 7 will also be exempt from local qualifying for the year’s third Major.
It is the latest rapprochement between the new league and the old golf order with negotiations with the PGA and DP World Tours ongoing. And LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil, who has replaced Greg Norman this season, 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.”
LIV players have still been playing the Majors through exemptions for past wins – like US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau – high finishes the previous year or world rankings. But the four Majors have become even bigger box-office attractions as the only events to see all the top players compete.
USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer said: “The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship.
“Consistent with our historical approach, we continuously evaluate talent levels on professional tours and in amateur events, which has led us to add a new exemption category.”
The new LIV seasons will see events broadcast in the USA on Fox Sports, Youtuber Rick Shiels acting as ““an official ambassador and content creator” and three US events directly competing with the PGA Tour’s FedEx playoffs in August.
There are no mega-money signings to compare with Jon Rahm’s arrival for 2024. But McKibbin, 22, has turned down the advice of his fellow Holywood Golf Club member Rory McIlroy to join Rahm’s team.
The four-time Major winner warned he will risk playing in the Majors and the Ryder Cup after earning a PGA Tour card.
But McKibbin, who won his first DP World Tour title at the Porsche European Open in June 2023 , said: “Yeah, it was definitely in my mind, but to me, I wasn’t in any of those anyway so it really didn’t bother me too much.”
He added: “Obviously being young and 22. I’ve watched this for the last couple years since it started, and it’s something that I’ve really liked to watch, something very different, something that probably appeals to more people my age. I think sort of the opportunity to get to play with these guys here and learn from some of the best players in the world week in, week out is something that appealed very, very nicely to me.. It was something cool and something new to me and something I’m very much looking forward to.”
Team captain Rahm welcomed playing under lights with a 6pm start local time – 3pm in the UK. “From the moment I found out we were going to play under the lights, I’ve been really excited. It’s all about what LIV Golf is all about. It’s innovating and creating a new product for the consumer. It reminds me a little bit to the first few times to a different scale. Formula 1 decided to go at night. TV looks very, very cool and I hope golf comes out that way, as well.”