New category to create pathway for LIV Golf’s top performers
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Feb. 5, 2025) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced the exemption categories for the 2025 U.S. Open Championship, to be played June 12-15 at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club.
Exemptions from local and final qualifying are awarded to players in a variety of categories, including the past 10 U.S. Open champions, various USGA and amateur champions, other major winners and performance on various tours around the world.
“The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “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.”
For the 2025 championship, a full exemption will be awarded to the top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 19, 2025.
In addition, a local exemption will be awarded to the top 10 players from the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of April 7, 2025.
Beginning with the 2026 championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., June 18-21, the following exemptions will be awarded:
Full Exemption
- The top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the Final 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 18, 2026
- The top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 18, 2026
Local Exemption
- The top 10 players from the Final 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings
- The top 10 players from the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of April 6, 2026
Two-stage U.S. Open qualifying (local and final) will continue to be conducted at U.S. and international sites in April, May and June.
More information about the 2025 U.S. Open is available at usopen.com.
List of 2025 U.S. Open exemption categories from local and final qualifying
F-1. Winners of the U.S. Open Championship the last 10 years:
F-2. From the 2024 U.S. Open Championship, the 10 lowest scorers and anyone tying
for 10th place:
F-3. Winner of the 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championship:
F-4. Winner of the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship:
F-5. Winners of the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships, and the 2024 U.S. Amateur runner-up (must be an amateur):
F-6. Winners of the Masters Tournament 2020-2025:
F-7. Winners of the PGA of America Championship 2021-2025:
F-8. Winners of The Open conducted by the R & A 2021-2024:
F-9. Winners of The Players Championship 2023-2025:
F-10. Winner of the 2024 DP World Tour BMW PGA Championship.
F-11. Those players who qualified and were eligible for the season-ending 2024 Tour Championship:
F-12. Multiple winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the FedExCup, from the conclusion of the 2024 U.S. Open (June 13-16) to the initiation of the 2025 U.S. Open:
F-13. The Top 5 players in the 2025 FedExCup standings as of May 19, 2025, who are not otherwise exempt:
