Qualification for The Open will look very different in 2026 with the introduction of a Monday qualifier.
In June 2025, the R&A revealed that the Last-Chance Qualifier on 13 July next year will see up to 12 players compete for a spot at Birkdale by competing over 18 holes at the Merseyside venue to decide who earns the final place in the field ahead of the draw being announced.
The Open also followed the US Open in creating a new exemption category for LIV Golfers in 2025.
The Saudi-funded circuit had quite the start to 2025, getting the R&A and the USGA onside and forging a direct route to two major championships for the first time since its birth in 2022.
For The Open at Royal Birkdale, the leading player not already exempt in LIV’s individual standings through its event in Louisiana, will earn a spot to appear on Merseyside.
It was the first big change to The Open under the new R&A CEO Mark Darbon’s stewardship, having taken over from outgoing chief Martin Slumbers in November.
On August 27, 2025, the Masters announced several new criteria for qualification, which concerned winning national championships. You can read more about this here.
This was announced jointly with the R&A to align aspects of the qualification criteria, awarding invitations to winners/top finishers of select national opens beginning immediately.
The Open Qualifying Series has existed since 2013 and offers players entry into The Open through events across the world. Beginning later in 2025, players can qualify for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale through 15 events in 13 countries.
The schedule for The Open Qualifying Series and the list of exemptions for The 154th Open are below, as is each criterion for how players qualify for the fourth and final major championship of the season.
Open Championship Qualifying: How to qualify for The Open
1. Win The Open and be 60 or under on July 19, 2026 (all champions up until 2023)
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If you have already won The Open by 2023, you are allowed to compete until you are 60
2. Win The Open and be 55 or under (all champions from 2024)
If you win The Open from 2024 onwards, you are allowed to compete until you are 55
3. Win The Open
The last 10 winners of The Open will be exempt to play at Royal Birkdale.
4. The first 10 and ties at the 2025 Open
If you came 10th or tied for 10th at The 153rd Open at Portrush in 2025, you will get a spot this year.
5. The top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings
If you are ranked in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings in week 21 of the OWGR calendar in 2026, you’ll be eligible for The Open.
6. The top 25 in the 2025 Race to Dubai Rankings
If you are placed in the top 25 of the Race to Dubai Rankings of 2025, you’ll earn a place at Portrush.
7. Win the BMW PGA Championship
If you have won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in the last three years, you have a place at The Open.
8. The top five players in the Race to Dubai Rankings after the 2026 BMW International Open
The first five DP World Tour members or those who tied for fifth, who aren’t otherwise exempt, in the top 20 of the Race to Dubai Rankings after the BMW International Open will have a spot at The Open.
9. Win the Masters
Winners of the Masters between 2022 and 2026 will have a spot at The Open in 2026.
10. Win the PGA Championship
Winners of the PGA Championship between 2022 and 2026 will have a spot at The Open in 2026.
11. Win the US Open
Winners of the US Open between 2022 and 2026 will have a spot at The Open in 2026.
12. The top 30 players from the 2025 FedEx Cup Points List
The top 30 players from the 2025 FedEx Cup Points List will earn a spot at The Open.
13. Win The Players Championship
Winners of the last three Players Championships will have a spot at The Open in 2026.
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14. The top five PGA Tour members on the FedEx Cup Points List after the 2026 Travelers Championship
The first five PGA Tour members or any who tied for fifth, who aren’t otherwise exempt, in the top 20 of the FedEx Cup Points List after the Travelers Championship will have a spot at The Open.
15. LIV Golf standings
The first player and anyone tying for that place, not otherwise exempt, in the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings on completion of LIV Golf Louisiana will have a spot at The Open.
16. Top five in the 2025 Federations Ranking list
If you are in the top five of the Federation Ranking List of 2026 in week 21 of the OWGR calendar, then you will qualify for The Open.
17. Win the Senior Open
The Senior Open champion of 2025 will be exempt
18. Win the US Amateur
The US Amateur champion of 2025 has a place at The Open.
19. Win the Mark H McCormack Medal
This medal is awarded to the player who is ranked first in the World Amateur Golf Ranking in 2026.
20. Win the Asia-Pacific Amateur
The Asia-Pacific champion of 2025 has a place at The Open.
21. Win the Latin America Amateur
The Latin America Amateur champion of 2026 has a place at The Open.
22. Win the African Amateur Championship
The winner of the 2026 African Amateur Championship will earn a spot at The Open.
23. Win the Amateur Championship
The Amateur Champion of 2026 has a place at The Open.
24. Win the European Amateur
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The European Amateur champion of 2026 has a place at The Open.
25. Win the Open Amateur Series in 2026
This new exemption is awarded to the player who accumulates the most points across the St Andrews Links Trophy, the Amateur Championship, and the European Amateur Championship.
The Open Qualifying Series
This series takes place across 15 events throughout the 2025/2026 season, which gives players the chance to qualify for The Open:
October 9-12: Open de Espana – 1 spot
October 16-19: Japan Golf Open Championship – 1 spot
October 30-November 2: Link Hong Kong Open – 1 spot
December 4-7: Australian Open – 3 spots
February 26-March 1: New Zealand Open – 1 spot
February 26-March 1: Investec South African Championship – 3 spots
February 26-March 1: Visa Argentina Open – 1 spot
March 5-8: Arnold Palmer Invitational: 1 spot
Asia: TBC – 2 spots
KOLON Korea Open: TBC – 1 spot
May 28-31: Mizuno Open – 3 spots
June 4-7: The Memorial – 1 spot
June 11-14: RBC Canadian Open – 3 spots
June 25-28: Open d’Italia – 1 spot
July 9-12: Genesis Scottish Open – 3 spots
Regional Qualifying
June 22: Bearwood Lakes, Caldy, Craigielaw, Enville, Ferndown, Fulford, Gog Magog, Hesketh, Kilmarnock (Barassie), Lindrick, Minchinhampton, Moor Park, North Hants, Rochester & Cobham Park, The Island
Final Qualifying
In 2026, Final Qualifying For The Open will take place across four golf courses in the UK on June 30: Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports, Royal Porthcawl, and West Lancashire.
Last-Chance Qualifier: July 13 – Royal Birkdale – 1 spot
Eligible players:
- The leading two non-exempt players in the world rankings on Monday, July 6
- Runner-up in the Amateur Championship, if they are still an amateur on July 13
- Players who missed out having been in a play-off at Final Qualifying
- Players who finished one position behind those who secured a place at Final Qualifying
- Players who were tied for a qualifying place in various events included as a part of the Open Qualifying Series, but did not qualify due to a lower position.
What do you make of the Open-LIV Golf criteria? Do you think it is the right time? Tell NCG on X!
NOW READ: How does Open Championship Final Qualifying work?
NOW READ: The Open Championship field: Who is playing in 2024?
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