LIV golfers are now eligible for the PGA Championship and US Ryder Cup team

There’s only one major LIV players don’t have full access to after a big move in the US.

Australian LIV golfer Lucas Herbert Quinn Harris/Getty Images/AFP

LIV golfers have been granted eligibility for the US PGA Championship leaving only the Masters as the major the likes of Australians Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert can’t get access to without a winner’s exemption or invitation.

The ruling also means LIV stars like reigning US open champion Bryson deChambeau can compete in the Ryder Cup, should they qualify, after growing calls for golf’s biggest events to feature the best players despite the breakaway nature of the Saudi-backed tour.

As it stands LIV golfers, who aren’t already exempt like Cameron Smith, can get into both the British and US Opens via qualifying events.

That includes the Australian Open where the top three finishers get a spot in the field at the next British Open.

But in a bid to ensure the biggest events have the “strongest field in golf” the US PGA have opened the door to LIV players for PGA Championship, although just how they would qualify remains unclear.

There are no direct avenues via the LIV Golf League and players only earn world rankings points in tournaments outside LIV events.

A Statement from the PGA of America. pic.twitter.com/Lg92Dl8U30

— PGA of America (@PGA) September 19, 2024

“To ensure the PGA Championship will continue to deliver the strongest field in golf and that the U.S. Ryder Cup team will continue to have access to the best American players, the PGA of America board has determined that LIV Golf players will be eligible for both,” the PGA said in a statement.

“Going forward, all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete. This is consistent with LIV Golf players competing in the PGA Championship the past two years. Brooks Koepka was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team last year.”

LIV players were forced to give up their PGA membership when they defected to the new tour.

Smith was unable to defend the title he won at The Players Championship in 2022, and even lost his car park at TPC Sawgrass where the annual event is played.

Top blokes. Top golfers. #RipperGC#LIVGolfpic.twitter.com/5kQ0B0ngBy

— Ripper GC (@rippergc_) September 19, 2024

The Queenslander earned a five year major exemption with his British Open triumph, also in 2022, and, along with a raft of previous Masters winners who are on the LIV tour, will be back at Augusta next April.

LIV star Joaquin Niemann was also given a special invitation to the Masters after winning the 2023 Australian Open, which also earned him a spot in the British Open this year.