Which LIV golfers are playing the U.S. Open?
12 players from the Saudi-backed circuit have qualified for the first Major of the year
With the U.S. Open welcoming the world’s best for one of golf’s hardest tests this week, how many LIV players have qualified for the prestigious event?
The Saudi backed circuit doesn’t receive any World Ranking points and with the Majors predominantly selecting players based on their Official World Golf Ranking, LIV players have had to use alternative routes available to them.
While the likes of Talor Gooch and Louis Oosthuzien will not be featuring at Pinehurst No.2, the following 12 LIV golfers will be and this is how the qualified for the third Major Championship of 2024.
Bryson DeChambeau
The former champion will be looking to go one better than his last Major Championship outing after finishing second at last month’s PGA Championship, just one stroke behind Xander Schauffele.
How did he qualify?
The American secures a spot in the tournament as a prior U.S. champion after winning the event in 2020. Winners of the U.S. Open receive a ten year exemption into the tournament. He is also exempt into this week’s edition through the top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as of May 20, 2024.
Tyrrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton returns to the U.S. Open for the eighth time, with his best finish at the tournament a share of sixth at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in 2018.
How did he qualify?
The Englishman earned his spot by qualifying for last year’s season-ending Tour Championship on the PGA Tour as well as placing inside the top 60 of the OWGR as of May 20, 2024.
Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson’s will be looking to improve his impressive record at the U.S. Open, where he boasts one victory and a further six top tens in his 16 appearances.
How did he qualify?
After winning in 2016 at Oakmont, Johnson received a ten-year exemption into the U.S. Open, ensuring he will have two more guaranteed starts after this week. The American would have also secured a place after finishing inside the top ten last year and as a champion of one of the last five editions of the Masters Tournament (2020).
Brooks Koepka
The man for the Majors over the last seven years after picking up five of them, Brooks Koepka returns to the U.S. Open for the 11th time, seeking a third win.
How did he qualify?
The American is exempt into the tournament through a range of different routes. The first of those is his ten-year exemption as a U.S. Open winner after winning in both 2017 and 2018. He also gets in as a winner of one of the last five PGA Championships (2019,2023) as well as placing inside the top 60 of the OWGR as of May 20, 2024.
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson goes for the Career Grand Slam once again in the hope of adding a U.S. Open title to his six-title Major haul. Should he do so, he would join Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to have won all four Major Championships.
How did he qualify?
‘Lefty’ tees it up at Pinehurst No.2 after securing his spot as a winner one of the last five PGA Championships (2021).
Adrian Meronk
Dubai resident Adrian Meronk makes his just his third outing at the tournament this week. The Pole has missed the cut on his last two starts and also failed to make the weekend at The Masters and PGA Championship earlier this year.
How did he qualify?
Meronk qualified by placing inside the top 60 of the OWGR as of May 20, 2024.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm will be hoping to put his last two Major Championship starts well and truly behind him as he looks to rediscover the form that saw him win the 2021 U.S. Open.
How did he qualify?
As a past champion (2021), Rahm has a 10-year exemption into the U.S. Open. He would have also qualified via the top ten players and ties at the last U.S. Open, winner of one of the last five Masters Tournaments (2023), qualifiers of the 2023 Tour Championship and placing inside the top 60 of the OWGR as of May 20, 2024.
Cameron Smith
The most famous mullet in golf arrives at the tournament for a ninth start, with Cameron Smith looking to add a U.S. Open trophy to his Claret Jug.
How did he qualify?
Smith grabs a spot courtesy of finishing inside the top ten at last year’s edition as well as winning one of the last five Masters Tournaments (2022) and last three Players Championships (2022).
Martin Kaymer
Martin Kaymer returns to the scene of his U.S. Open victory in 2014. The German secured a second Major Championship at Pinehurst No.2 after cruising to an eight-stroke victory over Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton.
How did he qualify?
Kaymer is playing his last year on a ten-year exemption as a previous champion. With LIV golfers receiving no World Ranking points, he will almost certainly need a top ten finish if he is to guarantee a start next year.
Dean Burmester
Dean Burmerster makes just his third U.S. Open start this week, and first since 2019. The South African is playing some of the best golf of his career right now with three worldwide victories this season.
How did he qualify?
Burmerster secured his spot through U.S. Open Final Qualifying. The 35-year-old finished at 6 under in his two rounds of the Jupiter, Florida qualifier at The Bear's Club to claim one of five available spots.
Eugenio Chacarra
Eugenio Chacarra will be making his Major Championship debut this week when he tees it up at Pinehurst No.2.
How did he qualify?
Chacarra secured his spot through U.S. Open Final Qualifying. The 24-year-old earned one of 11 spots available in the U.S. Open qualifier at Dallas Athletic Club in Texas.
David Puig
David Puig starts just his third Major Championship this week. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship earlier this year and finished in a share of 39th at last year’s U.S. Open.
How did he qualify?
Puig secured his spot through U.S. Open Final Qualifying. The youngster claimed medalist honours by shooting 12 under to earn one of four spots at the Daly City, California qualifier.
Sergio Garcia
Sergio Garcia will be making his 25th consecutive apperance at the U.S. Open this week after getting in the field through the skin of his teeth.
How did he qualify?
The Spaniard looked set to miss the tournament for the firt time since 1999 after he lost in a sudden-death playoff for one of the 11 spots in the USGA’s Dallas qualifier. However, the USGA announced its final six spots to complete this week’s field on Monday and Garcia, as a first alternate, received entry into the competition.