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There are exactly two months to go until the Masters Tournament, the first Major of 2025, a year that began with no signs of change in the possibilities of access to the Majors for LIV Golf players.
But, suddenly, this stalemate has accelerated.
Let's leave aside the Masters which, in addition to being the one among the four Majors that has its own rules of engagement (I'm thinking for example of the fact that Past Champions can participate without age limits), has not yet communicated any news.
On February 1, Sergio Garcia announced on social media that he had received an invitation to take part in the PGA Championship, which will be held from May 15 to 18.
I found some logic in the news, considering that the Spaniard has taken steps to "regularize" his position for the purpose of his possible participation in the Ryder Cup in Bethpage.
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But when. three days later, Joaquin Niemann also received an invitation to play at the Quail Hollow Club, I began to think that, perhaps, the wind was changing.
And I didn't have to wait long to have confirmation.
Liv Golf, Majors
On February 5, the press release appeared on the USGA website announcing the exemption categories for the U.S. Open, which will be held from June 12 to 15 at the Oakmont Country Club.
Well, for the first time, exemptions are planned for LIV Golf players.
A spot is reserved for the first player, not otherwise qualified, among those who will be in the first three places in the LIV Golf rankings on May 19.
Ten spots will be reserved in the Final Qualifying, which will be held on May 19 and June 2, for the first 10 players in LIV Golf on April 7.
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From the next edition, these exemptions will become structural, as can be seen from the continuation of the press release.
But let's go further.
Yesterday came the news that the R&A did not want to be outdone by its counterparts overseas.
The official website of the Open Championship announced that a place at Royal Portrush (July 17-20) will be reserved for the LIV golf player who occupies first place in the individual ranking of the Saudi League immediately after the Dallas tournament (June 27-29).
