With Major season in full swing across both the men’s and women’s game, Pinehurst No.2 is gearing up to host the US Open between June 13-16.
156 players will tee it up at the historic North Carolina layout in a bid to add their name onto the long list of former US Open champions. A total of 12 of those will hail from the LIV Golf League.
The upcoming Major will feature among the lowest intake of LIV players since the breakaway circuit was formed – that is despite 35 of its roster opting to try and make it through sectional qualifying in the weeks leading up to the championship.
Only three LIV golfers qualified across 13 sites around the world – 10 of which were in the United States – adding on to the nine pros who were already exempt. A total of 67 golfers, either amateur or professional, earned their place in the field for the 2024 US Open via qualification.
But what about the LIV players? Who are the 12 professionals from the 54-hole league who are taking part at Pinehurst. Let’s take a look…
GROUP OF RECENT PAST CHAMPIONS
Martin Kaymer with the US Open trophy in 2014
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The USGA hands out a 10-year exemption for winning the US Open, the shortest period for clinching a Major, and LIV players have won five of the past 10 US Open championships, starting with Martin Kaymer in 2014.
Since then, Dustin Johnson (2016), Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018), Bryson DeChambeau (2020) and Jon Rahm (2021) have all hoisted the precious silver cup above their heads on Sunday.
As a result of these wins, first and foremost, the five aforementioned LIV players were included in the field this year.
Top-10 And Ties From 2023
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Although he has won an Open Championship within the past five years which would have booked his spot anyway, Cameron Smith‘s place at the 124th US Open was in fact secured via the second criteria on the USGA’s list – the lowest 10 scorers and ties from the previous year’s championship.
The Australian finished solo fourth on six-under in 2023, four shots back of eventual victor, Wyndham Clark.
Past Five PGA Championship Winners
Mickelson with the Wanamaker Trophy in 2021
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Koepka is already exempt for the US Open via other means, but Phil Mickelson‘s record-breaking victory at Kiawah Island in 2021 is now…
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