The U.S. Open Championship changes the admission criteria Eligibility, the key that opens the door to the Majors. The USGA announced that it has changed the criteria for admission to the U.S. Open Championship 2023 to be held at the Los Angeles Country Club from June 15th to 18th.
Let’s start with the new exemption categories, which are four.
Us Open, criteria
The following are entitled to a place in the field: the defending Latin America Amateur champion;
the defending NCAA individual championship champion;
the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour ranking leader;
the top five players of the FedEx Cup 2023 on May 22 next (if not included in other exemption categories).
The first two places go to Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira and Justin Suh, provided they maintain their amateur status.
The USGA, through John Bodenhamer, director of the championships, also made it clear that the NCAA exemption will also apply to the reigning champion, who will be invited to the U.S. Women Open, which will be held from July 6 to 10 at Pebble Beach.
There is news, unfortunately not good, also for the players of the European Tour. The changes have heavily affected the Qualifying Series of the DP World Tour, made up of four tournaments (Italian Open, Soudal Open, KLM Open and Porsche European Open) which generate an ad hoc ranking.
The first two players of this special ranking will acquire the right to enter the field. Last year there were ten places available. As a partial compensation for this drastic cut, the USGA will guarantee the exemption of the first two players of the Race to Dubai 2022 and the first two of the 2023 ranking (again on May 22nd).
But the balance remains negative. Finally, we come to the most current topic. No reference is made to LIV Golf players in the USGA release. Therefore, the same eligibility criteria as for players from other Tours also apply to them.
No bans for players in the Greg Norman-led League. The U.S. Open Championship thus becomes the third Major to admit LIV players. What will the PGA of America decide for the PGA Championship? Stay tuned.
