One of the most persistent questions regarding the new LIV Golf Invitational Series has been whether or not players who have committed to one or more events would be banned from participating in major championships.
On Tuesday, fans received an answer from the USGA, the governing body behind next week’s U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.: Any player who had previously qualified for the 2022 U.S. Open can still compete, regardless of whether or not they opt to play in this week’s LIV Golf Invitational in London.
“We pride ourselves in being the most open championship in the world and the players who have earned the right to compete in this year’s championship, both via exemption and qualifying, will have the opportunity to do so,” the USGA said in an emailed statement. “Our field criteria were set prior to entries opening earlier this year and it’s not appropriate, nor fair to competitors, to change criteria once established.
Phil Mickelson breaks silence, confirms spot in LIV Golf field, intends to play majors
“Regarding players who may choose to play in London this week, we simply asked ourselves this question — should a player who had earned his way into the 2022 U.S. Open, via our published field criteria, be pulled out of the field as a result of his decision to play in another event? And we ultimately decided that they should not,” the statement continued.
“Our decision regarding our field for the 2022 U.S. Open should not be construed as the USGA supporting an alternative organizing entity, nor supportive of any individual player actions or comments. Rather, it is simply a response to whether or not the USGA views playing in an alternative event, without the consent of their home tour, an offense that should disqualify them for the U.S. Open.”
Phil Mickelson made headlines on Monday when, after a four-month hiatus, he announced his intention to play the LIV Golf event in London, and the U.S. Open next week.
Mickelson has finished runner-up in the U.S. Open six times. The national championship is the one remaining major he needs to win to complete the career grand slam.