18 June 2024 , 11:42
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Bryson DeChambeau's victory at last Sunday's U.S. Open came with an added bonus, after the LIV Golf star banked himself an additional five-year exemption to compete at the Masters.
DeChambeau got his hands on the U.S. Open title for the second time in four years, seeing off Rory McIlroy in an epic final round at Pinehurst No. 2. The American's impressive showing in his home Open carried on his hot form on the major stage, having finished second at the PGA Championship and tied-sixth at the Masters this season.
Despite his impressive showing at Augusta National, DeChambeau faced the worrying prospect of not being able to play at the opening major of the year post-2025, which is when his previous exemption for winning the 2020 U.S. Open runs out.
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With LIV Golf continuing to operate without Official World Golf Ranking accreditation, a number of its big names have seen there major status dwindle, with DeChambeau one of the next in line to lose some of his playing rights. Fortunately for him however, his victory on Sunday topped up his major champion exemption across all four flagship events.
The breakaway league's representation on the major stage has become a key issue for Greg Norman and co, with names such as Patrick Reed, Joaquin Niemann and Talor Gooch all missing the trip to North Carolina last week. Niemann's form in 2024 was recognised by both Augusta National and PGA of America, after he received invites to compete at the Masters and PGA Championship.
The USGA meanwhile opted not to offer the Torque GC skipper a spot at Pinehurst No. 2 after he had missed out by a single shot at final qualifying in the build-up. Speaking back in April, DeChambeau discussed the potential of losing his playing rights and the potential of relying on an invite.
Bryson DeChambeau won the U.S. Open (Getty Images)"I don't know what the future holds," he said in Georgia. "But one thing I do know, if I do get invited, I'd gratefully come back after my exemption is up." He of course no longer needs to worry about this for some time following his win, but it remains a key problem for a number of his fellow LIV stars.
In a bid to recognise the efforts of players on the breakaway circuit, DeChambeau believes the league should be given its own major qualification process. "We would love to find another way to be integrated into the major championship system since I think we have some of the best players in the world,” the two-time U.S. Open champion said last October.
“Top 12 on the list, the money list, at the end of the year or the points list at the end of the year, would be I think obvious for the major championships to host the best players in the world at those four events each year.”