Pathways Success Highlighted by Anthony Kim’s Historic Return to LIV Golf and Joaquin Niemann’s 2026 U.S. Open Performance
Nine events into the 2026 LIV Golf season, the League’s global pathways system is having a definitive impact on the strength of competition while providing players across the global golf landscape with expanded playing opportunities in the Majors and other international golf tournaments.
LIV Golf's schedule allows players to utilize open weeks to play in various international tournaments, including historic National Opens, engaging new audiences in golf and growing regional allegiances. By integrating merit-based entry routes into the league, establishing structured avenues to earn spots in the major championships, and encouraging participation across different global golf tours during off-weeks, the pathways system strengthens tournament fields worldwide and actively grows the game in all corners of the globe.
"LIV Golf's global pathways system identifies top talent," said Oliver Banks, LIV Golf EVP, Chief Championship Officer. "You see it working firsthand via League agreements with the USGA and R&A; Lucas Herbert and Joaquin Niemann secured U.S. Open and Open Championship spots, with Niemann’s T-7 finish at Shinnecock Hills locking up a 2027 U.S. Open return. Further validating the model, David Puig earned his U.S. Open spot via OWGR eligibility. Anthony Kim provided us with one of the year’s most iconic sporting moments with his memorable win at LIV Adelaide, a player who qualified for the 2026 LIV Golf League via LIV Golf Promotions. As we build LIV 2.0—our vision for the future of the league, where empowering players, growing the game, and optimizing schedule flexibility to showcase golf worldwide are all important facets—providing these proven, merit-based pathways remains essential."
Pathways to the Majors
LIV Golf maintains an extensive pathways system that enables its players to qualify for major championships through their accomplishments within the LIV Golf framework. By succeeding in league play, participating in International Series events, and playing in tournaments during off-weeks, players continue to secure positions in major fields:
Direct LIV Golf Exemptions: U.S. Open and The Open Championship
For the 2026 U.S. Open, the top non-exempt player in the top 3 of the final 2025 standings, along with the top non-exempt player in the top 3 of the 2026 standings following Maaden LIV Golf Virginia earned exemptions.
Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC), 2025 Individual Standings
Lucas Herbert (Ripper GC), 2026 Individual Standings
For The Open Championship, the top non-exempt player (plus ties) in the 2026 Standings after LIV Golf Andalucía earns a spot. Benefiting from this direct performance pathway is:
Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC), 2026 Individual Standings
OWGR Points, National Opens, and Global Success: LIV Golf’s schedule allows players to compete in an active, global schedule, while still prioritizing the Majors and providing time to play in additional tournaments across the world. By choosing to participate in National Opens and historic regional tournaments, LIV Golf players help to grow the game of golf, elevate the profile of regional tours, engage with local fan bases, and secure additional Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
David Puig (Fireballs GC): Competing in 12 countries in 2026, Puig has used off-weeks to play in India, Turkey, the UAE, and the U.S. With four top-20 finishes in non-LIV events in 2026 (including T-18 at the PGA Championship), Puig earned a 2026 U.S. Open exemption as a top-60 OWGR player.
The International Series Exemptions: The International Series provides additional opportunities to qualify for the Majors, exemplified by Tom McKibbin (Legion XIII), who earned invitations to the 2026 Masters and The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale following a victory at the LINK Hong Kong Open. Additionally, two spots were up for grabs for the 2026 Open Championship at The Singapore Open presented by The Business Times. Jeongwoo Ham (Wild Card) secured the first spot, earning him a reserve place at Maaden LIV Golf Virginia, where he finished T-21.
The International Series (Top 2)
Co-sanctioned by LIV Golf and The Asian Tour, The International Series offers elevated prize funds across global destinations, providing a season-long pathway to the LIV Golf League.
Scott Vincent (HyFlyers GC): Reclaimed his spot in the 2026 LIV Golf League by winning the season-long 2025 International Series Rankings. His 2026 LIV Golf consistency includes a 4th-place finish at LIV Golf Mexico City, a 5th-place finish at LIV Golf Korea, and an 8th-place finish at Maaden LIV Golf Virginia, elevating him to 17th-place in the LIV Golf Individual Standings. Furthermore, through his success on the Asian Tour, Vincent earned an exemption into The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale via The OWGR International Federation Ranking List, which is utilized to exempt the top five players not otherwise exempt from specific international golf tours.
Yosuke Asaji (Wild Card): Earned his full-time place in the 2026 LIV Golf League via a runner-up finish in the 2025 International Series Rankings, highlighted by a 17th-place finish at ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh.
Miguel Tabuena (Wild Card): Finished third on the 2025 International Series Rankings, which helped him progress to a full-time Wild Card position in 2026 after Anthony Kim earned a roster place on 4Aces GC. His win at the International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus was a huge driver in his season-long success.
Travis Smyth (Reserve): Showcased The International Series’ depth by turning a 2026 International Series Japan victory into numerous Wild Card and Crushers GC starts, finishing T-8 and contributing to a Crushers GC team victory at LIV Golf Korea. Smyth also secured an Open Championship spot at Royal Birkdale through The OWGR International Federation Ranking List via the PGA of Australasia.
LIV Golf Promotions (Top 3)
The 2026 LIV Golf Promotions tournament expanded its direct pathway to LIV Golf by offering three league spots (up from one in 2025) and transitioning to the U.S. for the first time. Contested January 8-11 at Florida's Black Diamond Ranch, the tournament’s top finishers have seamlessly transitioned into the League:
Richard T. Lee (Wild Card): Won LIV Golf Promotions and carried that form to a runner-up finish at Aramco LIV Golf Singapore (after a playoff with Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau) and a 15th-place finish at LIV Golf Mexico City. He currently sits 16th in the Individual Standings. The Canadian is also a standout performer on The International Series, having won the BNI Indonesian Masters in 2024.
Anthony Kim (4Aces GC): After being relegated from LIV Golf in 2025, Kim competed in all five of the season-ending International Series events and earned his way back into the 2026 LIV Golf League through a 3rd-place finish at LIV Golf Promotions. He went on to win the individual title at LIV Golf Adelaide with a staggering 23-under-par total, followed by a 6th-place finish at Maaden LIV Golf Virginia. He is currently ranked 7th-place in the LIV Golf Individual Standings.
Bjorn Hellgren (Wild Card): Backed up a Saudi Open presented by PIF victory by shooting a final-round 64 at LIV Golf Promotions to secure a 2026 LIV Golf Wild Card spot.
LIV Golf United Kingdom presented by JCB is the next stop on the 2026 LIV Golf schedule, taking place at JCB Golf & Country Club from July 23-26. Tickets are available at https://www.livgolf.com/schedule/uk-2026.
