Bryson DeChambeau calls for special LIV Golf exemption category for majors
Bryson DeChambeau hopes LIV Golf is seen in a “better light” after the PGA Championship and he has put forward an idea that could allow more of his colleagues to play at the majors
It is clear there is one thing at the heart of LIV Golf’s desire for world ranking points: access to major championships.
Players such as Bryson DeChambeau have exemptions for a number of years for being a past major champion. A large fraction of the LIV roster, though, are left wanting in the eligibility department.
Speaking at LIV Golf Washington DC, DeChambeau revealed an idea being floated that could give his comrades more opportunities to play in golf’s four biggest events.
“There’s been numerous ideas brought up,” he said. “One that we’re all looking at right now, at least from my perspective and what I’ve heard so far is just creating an exemption category for LIV players based on how they play during the course of the year.
“That would be the most fair and opportune thing for LIV golfers considering the fields that we have, the major champions we have, and the elite level of play that we have each and every week.
“If they’re able to do that, I think everything is good. The OWGR points, we’ve gone so far down the list now that it’s really difficult to make us even relevant.
“That was part of their play, which is fine. It is what it is. But I think there’s another route to the majors.”
The 29-year-old missed the cut at the Masters, but enjoyed an impressive week at the PGA Championship by coming tied fourth at Oak Hill. He played with Brooks Koepka in round three, who went on to win his fifth major.
With Koepka and Mickelson’s valiant efforts at Augusta National behind Jon Rahm too, LIV Golf players have been on the verge of springing some surprises at the first two majors of 2022.
DeChambeau will tee it up at the US Open next month after he earned a 10-year exemption for winning America’s national trophy in 2020.
As LIV players continue to perform on the sport’s biggest stages, DeChambeau believes the Saudi-financed tour should be held in higher regard than it currently is.
“It proves that we can play in major championships, proves that the schedule is good enough for us to win major championships,” he added. “We have numerous players up on the leaderboard.
“Mito played well last round; Cam played well; I did all right; Brooks winning. It’s huge in general.
“It’s an individual sport, but there’s a team component to it now, and it’s really cool to see how they’re playing well not only for their teams and for themselves but for an organisation that deserves to be mentioned a lot more in a better light than what it is.”
NOW READ: Will Brooks Koepka’s brilliance earn LIV Golf the respect it craves?
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
