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LIV Golf officials are reportedly in talks with the R&A over the inclusion of at least some of its players in next year’s Open Championship.

According to The Telegraph, the Saudi-funded enterprise is in the ‘early stages’ of discussions with the game’s governing body as it looks to establish a clear qualification pathway into The 152nd Open at Royal Troon for its leading lights.

The news comes hot on the heels of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) rejecting LIV’s application for ranking points.

With all four of the men’s marquee events using the OWGR to at least some extent to build their fields, the decision to toss out LIV’s application has obvious implications for the players who have aligned to the fledgling circuit.

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Consequently, officials have started the process of lobbying the majors directly whilst they weigh up their next moves with the OWGR.

Speaking to The Telegraph, LIV’s interim COO Gary Davidson said: “The accuracy of the rankings now is having a knock-on effect to the majors, which is as much a shame for them as it is for our players.

“We’ve spoken in the past about direct exemptions for LIV players through our end-of-season rankings into the majors making sense. And maybe the top 12 would make sense.

“It is something that would be beneficial for us, but I think also is something that’s probably required for the majors to make sure they retain their strength when the OWGR cannot do that.”

Davidson’s suggestion echoes that of one of LIV’s most high-profile players, Bryson DeChambeau.

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“I think at this point in time now that they’re not allowing it, 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,” said the 2020 US Open champion following last week’s LIV event in Jeddah.

“Top 12 on 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.”

Former world No.1 Dustin Johnson shares those sentiments.

“I feel like you can’t really use the world ranking system anymore,” he claimed. “That’s my take on it. Hard to use the world ranking system if you’re excluding 48 guys that are good players. The rankings are skewed.”