An important story unfolds at Maaden LIV Golf Virginia as players battle for a spot in the U.S. Open. Elvis Smylie of Ripper GC during the final round of LIV Golf Mexico City in April 2026. (Photo: Mateo Villalba) STERLING, Va. – Only one final tournament separates a LIV Golf player from a tee time at next month's U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The league's U.S. Open exemption is available to the top player not otherwise qualified and ranked among the top three in the individual LIV Golf standings by the May 18th deadline. It is the second of two U.S. Open exemptions for LIV Golf players for 2026; Joaquin Niemann secured the first with his second-place finish in last year's overall standings. When the USGA created the exemption prior to last season, it was the first major championship to offer a direct path via LIV Golf performance. Last year at Oakmont, the three players at the top of the 2025 overall standings were already in the field through other criteria. This year is different.
Who Will Grab the Ticket?
Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau – currently numbers 1 and 2 in the standings – are already qualified, but the third spot is still up for grabs, and Maaden LIV Golf Virginia is the final event before the deadline. Thomas Detry, Elvis Smylie, and Anthony Kim currently hold the best positions to claim the second available exemption – although a winner from further down in the standings could reshuffle everything.
Showdown in Virginia
Indeed, Thomas Pieters, David Puig, and Richard T. Lee are guaranteed a U.S. Open spot with a win in Virginia, just like the three players ahead of them in the points. All other hopefuls lurking further down in the current overall standings would need at least some help on Sunday's final leaderboard.
