R&A Won't Guarantee LIV Golf a 2027 Open Championship Spot

The R&A released its 2027 Open Championship qualifying pathways and exemption categories for St Andrews this week, and for the first time in recent years, LIV Golf is not guaranteed a place in the field.

Why did the R&A pull the exemption?

The category previously awarded a spot to the top finisher in the LIV Golf individual season standings who was not already exempt. The R&A said that exemption "remains under review until the 2027 LIV Golf schedule is confirmed," a direct reference to the circuit's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and the uncertainty over what LIV looks like next season. The R&A did not rule out reinstating the category once LIV's plans firm up.

How can LIV golfers still reach St Andrews?

Players without another exemption still have three routes to the Open. Winning any of the 13 Open Qualifying Series events between this week's French Open and next July's Scottish Open secures a spot outright, and a top-three finish at select tournaments in that series also qualifies. Final Qualifying, open to a wider field, will be held on June 29, 2027, at Burnham & Berrow, Glasgow Gailes, Prince's and West Lancashire.

The Last-Chance Qualifier, held on the Monday of Championship week, will also return after its debut this year. Around a dozen players are expected to make up that field, though the R&A has not yet detailed how those spots will be filled.