Let’s address the LIV Golfers-majors situation, shall we? Can LIV players play in majors?
Fortunately for men in the Saudi-funded league, a healthy chunk of them have featured in the majors throughout each season since LIV Golf’s birth in 2022.
The players have somewhat had their avenues to the majors cut off given the PGA Tour suspended each defector, the DP World Tour suspended and fined each defector.
The DP World Tour have now reached a compromise with a handful of members. Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie have all settled their fines and been given conditional releases to play in LIV events in 2026.
Also, LIV Golf events have been given world ranking points for the first time this year. The top 10 finishers in LIV leaderboards earn ranking points, which will break down a significant barrier to the majors that previously existed. World ranking is often part of the criteria to get into men’s golf big four events.
Can LIV players play in majors?
None of the four major organisations has moved to block LIV players from competing. Any player can participate, as long as they meet the qualification criteria. In February 2025, the US Open became the first major to create a specific LIV Golf exemption category.
One player not already exempt in the top three of the LIV Golf individual standings by May 19 earned a spot at Oakmont for the third major of the year. And that player was Joaquin Niemann having won twice in 2025 and being top of the rankings after LIV Golf Korea, the last event before the May 19 cut-off.
The Open followed suit as on February 10, the R&A announced that the top player not otherwise exempt in the top five of the LIV Golf standings through the league’s Dallas event at the end of June would earn a spot at Portrush. Sergio Garcia became the first beneficiary of this pathway after finishing fifth in the standings after the LIV Dallas event.
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The same exemptions will apply this season.
We have gone through LIV’s ever-growing roster, with the most recent additions such as Jon Rahm, Tom McKibbin and Tyrrell Hatton, to figure out which ones still hold rights to golf’s biggest events in 2026.
The breakaway tour has a large representation of former major champions who have longstanding exemptions into the biggest events. For example, if you win the Masters or the PGA Championship, you have a lifetime pass to play in those events.
Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, and Charl Schwartzel can all go back to Augusta National to play for as long as they wish.
The Open allows you to play until you are 60 if you are a past champion, and 55 if you win The Open from 2024 and on, and the US Open allows a 10-year exemption if you lift that trophy too.
The list below could see more names added in the coming months and in the lead-up to each event. The Masters and the PGA Championship can invite players, the US Open can dish out special exemptions and players can also compete in Final Qualifying shortly before The Open begins.
Niemann made more major headlines at the start of 2025 as he again earned invitations to the Masters and the PGA Championship. In February 2025, it was revealed former Masters champion Sergio Garcia had an invitation to play in the PGA Championship as well.
This is the list of players who are currently qualified for the majors this year as we answer the question: Can LIV golfers play in majors?
ALSO: How much were LIV Golf’s biggest stars given for joining?
ALSO: LIV golfers axed after inaugural event: Where are they now?
ALSO: How much has each LIV golfer made compared to their PGA Tour earnings?
Can LIV players play in majors? The full 2026 rundown
The Masters
Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Tyrrell Hatton, Carlos Ortiz, Tom McKibbin, Elvis Smylie
PGA Championship
Phil Mickelson, Martin Kaymer, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, Thomas Detry, Tom McKibbin, David Puig
US Open
Laurie Canter, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Tyrrell Hatton, Carlos Ortiz, Joaquin Niemann, David Puig, Peter Uihlein, Caleb Surratt, Graeme McDowell
The Open Championship
Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen, Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Tom McKibbin, Tyrrell Hatton, Lucas Herbert, Laurie Canter, Elvis Smylie, Joaquin Niemann
Can LIV Golfers play in majors? Current LIV Golf individual standings:
| Position | Name |
| 1. | Jon Rahm |
| 2. | Bryson DeChambeau |
| 3. | Joaquin Niemann |
| 4. | Tyrrell Hatton |
| 5. | Lucas Herbert |
Can LIV players play in PGA events?
Many fans also ask, ‘Can LIV players play in PGA events?’ The answer is no, for as long as they are LIV Golfers. When each PGA Tour member decided to join LIV Golf, whether Jon Rahm or Matt Jones, they were suspended from the circuit.
NCG understands that a player who plays in an event or a series of events that the PGA Tour doesn’t authorise, they are suspended for a year from the most recent unauthorised tournament they played in. So hypothetically, if Rahm decided on no more LIV after the Hong Kong event ending on March 9, March 9 2026 he could start again on the PGA Tour.
They are allowed to play in DP World Tour events for as long as they don’t have sanctions to address, whether they have been paid or they are under appeal.
NOW READ: LIV or LXXII: Could LIV Golf change to 72 holes?
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Can LIV players play in majors? Well, now you have an answer! Does the league deserve world ranking points? Tell us on Twitter/X!
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