How to qualify for the US Open

The US Open broke ranks to become the first major championship to open specific exemption categories to LIV Golfers.

In February 2025, it was announced that one full exemption would be given to the top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top three of the LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 19.

A local exemption would also be awarded to the top 10 players from the 2025 LIV Standings as of April 7.

LIV players and officials have called for the majors to open spots for the Saudi-funded roster after its bid for Official World Golf Rankings points was rejected at the end of 2023.

Young Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra left the LIV ranks ahead of the 2025 season, bemoaning players were “promised” world rankings points and access to majors, which hadn’t been delivered until now.

Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning US Open champion, and his LIV colleagues doubt rejoiced and feel vindicated, given the scrutiny they received for leaving the sport’s established tours to join a breakaway league laced with controversial links to Saudi Arabia.

This news also arrived just weeks after two-time major champion Greg Norman was replaced as LIV CEO by Scott O’Neil. Norman was one figure who railed for OWGR status and major championship legitimacy.

“We’re pleased that the USGA has formally created a new exemption for LIV Golf players to compete in the U.S. Open and appreciate Mike Whan’s leadership and commitment to growing the game of golf,” O’Neil said in a statement.

“Every golf fan in the world longs to see the greatest players in the world competing on golf’s biggest stages at the majors. LIV Golf is committed to working hand in hand with golf’s governing bodies to elevate the sport in all corners of the world.”

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How to qualify for the US Open: Exemptions

Let’s go through each exemption category for the US Open in 2025 and how to qualify for the event at the famous Oakmont.

1. Win the US Open

Any player to have won the US Open over the last 10 years will receive an automatic invite.

2. Finish in the top 10 at last year’s US Open

The 10 lowest scorers – including ties for 10th – will return to the US Open from the previous year.

3. Win the US Senior Open

The winner of the previous year’s US Senior Open will qualify for the US Open.

4. Win the US Amateur

The current holder of the US Amateur will receive a spot in the field.

5. Finish runner-up in the US Amateur, win the US Junior Amateur and US Mid Amateur

Like the winner, the runner-up in the US Amateur will get an invite, provided they are still an amateur. You can also qualify if you win the US Junior Amateur and the US Mid-Amateur.

6. Win the Masters

The previous six champions of the Masters will be entered.

7. Win the PGA Championship

Any winner of the PGA Championship over the last five years will be exempt.

8. Win The Open

The last four Open Championship winners will be granted an exemption.

9. Win the Players Championship

The previous three winners of the Players will receive a spot.

10. Win the BMW PGA Championship

The most recent winner of the DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship will gain an exemption.

11. Qualify for the Tour Championship

Any player who qualified for the previous season-ending Tour Championship will be entered.

12. Win multiple PGA Tour events

Invites are given to multiple winners of PGA Tour events which awards full-point allocation for the FedExCup within a year since the last US Open.

13. FedEx Cup standings

The top five players in the FedEx Cup standings who are not already exempt will qualify for the US Open.

14. Korn Ferry Tour points

The points leader from the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season will earn a spot at Oakmont.

15. Race to Dubai rankings

The top two players from the final 2024 Race to Dubai rankings who are not already exempt will get in the US Open.

16. Race to Dubai rankings (part two)

The top player from the 2025 Race to Dubai rankings as of May 19, who is not otherwise exempt will earn a spot at the US Open

17. Win the Amateur Championship

The winner of the 2024 Amateur Championship will earn a spot at the US Open.

18. Win the 2024 Mark H McCormack Medal

The leading player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking system will receive an invite, provided they are still an amateur.

19. College golf in the USA

If you win the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Individual Golf Championship and remain an amateur, you will be eligible for the US Open.

20. Win the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship

If you win the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship and remain an amateur, you will be eligible for the US Open.

21. Be a top 60-point leader in the OWGR

Unless already exempt, the top 60 points leaders and ties in the Official World Golf Rankings as of May 19 all receive an invite.

22. Be a top 60-point leader in the OWGR (part two)

Unless already exempt, the top 60 points leaders and ties in the Official World Golf Rankings as of June 9 before the tournament all qualify.

23. Win the Olympic Gold

If you won the Olympic Gold Medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, you have a spot at Oakmont.

24. LIV Golf standings

The top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 19, 2025. 

25. Be granted a special exemption by the USGA

These are handed out at the governing body’s discretion.

Local and Final Qualifying

Details about US Open local and final qualifying can be found here.

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