The US Open qualification round has already started. The competition is drawing near quickly. Many of LIV Golf’s players have signed up for the regional qualifiers in an effort to earn a spot in the June Pinehurst competition.
Within the golf industry, this is a sensitive subject. Major league players had to take part in the open qualification process since LIV events aren’t worth points toward the world ranking.
However, the United States Golf Association (USGA), the event’s organizer, has assured LIV participants of a warm reception. USGA CEO Mike Whan says there is enough space for LIV Golf participants to be welcomed with “open arms.”
He went on to say:
The US Open qualification process consists of thirteen final qualifiers and more than one hundred local qualifiers. A total of over 10,000 players registered for the opening round of the LIV Golf tournament, of which 35 were competitors.
Moreover, qualifying for the US Open does not require eight players from LIV. Tyrrell Hatton, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Martin Kaymer, and Phil Mickelson are among them.
Talor Gooch’s case and the US Open
Mike Whan declined to address the Talor Gooch case in particular in his Sports Illustrated interview. Nonetheless, he said that Gooch and other players on the LIV Golf circuit receive the same treatment as players on other circuits.
He went on to say:
When Talor Gooch received an exemption to play in the US Open during the 2023 season, that is when his issues began. Nevertheless, the USGA disqualified him by altering an exemption category. Gooch and many of his admirers believed that this was a way for him to avoid playing in the tournament back when he was the major star of LIV Golf.
Since then, Gooch hasn’t looked at entering the US Open or any of the other majors. Aiming to improve their global standing, additional LIV Golf competitors participated in competitions held in Europe and Asia. Joaquin Niemann’s achievement in 2024 earned him a special invitation to The Masters.
