Bubba Watson welcomes new pathways to Majors for LIV golfers, but wants more

SINGAPORE – Amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of LIV Golf as merger talks with the PGA Tour drag on, there is a bright spark following the recent introduction of a direct pathway into the US Open and the British Open for the breakaway series’ golfers.

In February, the two Major championships

announced formal qualification paths for players from the rival tour

– a first since the Saudi-backed circuit’s inaugural season in 2022 – and this has been welcomed by LIV golfers.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson said: “Any chance we have to get into the Majors, get all of us playing together again, it’s always a good thing... But this is a start. This is a start in the right direction, that people recognise that LIV is here to stay and that LIV is not going anywhere, and it’s only getting better.”

The 46-year-old American was speaking at a press conference on March 13 at Sentosa Golf Club, which will host the LIV Singapore event at its Serapong Course from March 14 to 16.

Since LIV’s debut, the PGA Tour has banned LIV players from competing in its events. That has left the Majors as the only place where stars from both tours can compete against one another.

But LIV golfers do not receive Official World Golf Ranking points, which are crucial in determining entry into the Majors, limiting opportunities for players from the series to compete in the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.

With the latest developments, the highest-placed golfer in the top three of LIV’s individual standings who is otherwise not exempt will earn a spot at the June 12-15 US Open.

One spot is also on offer for the July 17-20 British Open and will go to the leading player not already exempt in the top five of the 2025 individual season standings following the completion of the June 27-29 LIV Golf Dallas.

The Asian Tour’s International Series Macau from March 20 to 23 will also provide a qualification pathway to the British Open for the top-three finishers who have not otherwise qualified. LIV Golf has a partnership with the Asian Tour, and more than 18 LIV players competed at the Macau event in 2024.

While the PGA Championship and Masters have yet to offer slots for LIV golfers, the latter has handed out special invitations to them, including Joaquin Niemann in 2025, meant for leading international players who have not qualified for the April 10-13 event in Augusta.

LIV rookie Ben Campbell, 33, said: “For me, it’s exciting. I’ve only played the one Major (2022 British Open) and would love to play more.

“These next few weeks are really important, try and finish up the leaderboard and climb the standings. You play well and you’re in some of the best tournaments in the world in the Majors, I think it’s great.”

While Watson was encouraged by the latest progress, he hopes to see more slots for LIV golfers.

He said: “My thoughts have always been we should just go off of our points list or our money list, and have 15 guys from LIV be in all the Majors, the top 15 from the year before. That’s what I’ve always said. I’ve said it since day one.”

The American has a lifetime exemption to the Masters as a previous champion, as do several other LIV players such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, Patrick Reed and Sergio Garcia, who have all donned the coveted green jacket.

Other LIV golfers who are already exempt for various Majors in 2025 by virtue of being past winners include Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith and Jon Rahm (all four).

With his team RangeGoats’ sole LIV victory coming at the 2023 Singapore event, Watson hopes to replicate their success once again at Sentosa as he eyes the US$3 million (S$4 million) prize for team champions.

He said: “Our mindset is to win. Lifting that trophy, the only trophy the RangeGoats have had, it was nice...

“It’s one of those things where golf is very difficult, and so getting all four guys to play well or well enough to win is very tricky, very tough, especially in weather like this where it just gets hot.”

“Our team is excited this year... so it’s been fun, and we’ve been close,” he added referring to the season-opening event in February in Riyadh, where they were joint-second with Smith’s Ripper GC, behind the winners, Rahm’s Legion XIII.