Bryson DeChambeau wants LIV Golf “exemption category” for majors

Bryson DeChambeau has called for majors to implement an “exemption category” that ensures LIV golfers can take part in the biggest events.

The ongoing failure to secure world ranking point accreditation has been a huge bone of contention for the LIV breakaway circuit.

DeChambeau is one of a number of LIV renegades who has seen his ranking tumble, and is now world No.90 despite grasping the rare opportunity to acquire points with a T4 finish at the PGA Championship.

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Brooks Koepka’s victory at Oak Hill brought the issue back into sharp focus amid further evidence that LIV players do not simply give up their competitive relevance when joining the Saudi-funded tour.

But the fledgling 54-hole events do not yet meet the criteria of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) board, and DeChambeau has now suggested a unique alternative for the major championships which would allow LIV stars to make their fields.

Speaking ahead of LIV’s Washington DC event, DeChambeau said: “There’s been numerous ideas brought up. One that we’re all looking at right now, at least from my perspective and what I’ve heard so far is just creating an exemption category for LIV players based on how they play during the course of the year.

“That would be the most fair and opportune thing for LIV golfers considering the fields that we have, the major champions we have, and the elite level of play that we have each and every week.

“If they’re able to do that, I think everything is good. The OWGR points, we’ve gone so far down the list now that it’s really difficult to make us even relevant.

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“That was part of their play, which is fine. It is what it is. But I think there’s another route to the majors.”

DeChambeau is one of the LIV players still benefitting from major exemptions after his destructive US Open victory at Winged Foot in 2020.

The slimmed-down Californian is finding his form again after abandoning his excessive bulking regime, and will be one of the contenders in Los Angeles at the third major of the year next month.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.