LIV Golfers handed boost before U.S. Open, but this "rebel" could STILL miss out

LIV Golf player Talor Gooch could face the prospect of being unable to compete at the U.S. Open on a technicality after the USGA's latest announcement.

Ben Smith

10 Feb 2023

LIV Golfers handed boost before U.S. Open, but this "rebel" could STILL miss out — LIV Golfers handed boost before U.S. Open, but this "rebel" could STILL…

Talor Gooch could be kept out of the 2023 U.S. Open on a technicality after the USGA announced four new exemption categories into this year's major.

For the very first time, entries to the tournament will be awarded to the reigning Latin America Amateur champion, NCAA men's individual champion, 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season points leader and the top five players in the FedEx Cup standings as of May last year who are otherwise not exempt.

LIV Golf was not mentioned in the release in which USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer explained the new qualifying criteria.

That clearly indicates the increasing probability that breakaway tour players will not be banned who qualify for exemptions under the 2023 criteria or earn a spot via local and final qualifying.

LIV Golfers handed boost before U.S. Open, but this

Why Talor Gooch could be forced out...

There is one subtle change to the wording in the exemption criteria.

Previously, players who qualified for the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake earned a spot in the following year's U.S. Open.

Gooch qualified, but then played in LIV Golf's opening event at Centurion Club in June and was ultimately suspended.

Despite taking legal action, Gooch was one of three players who were unable to participate in the FedEx Cup playoffs.

The wording from the USGA now reads:

"Those players who qualified and were eligible for the season-ending 2022 Tour Championship."

Gooch could now face the prospect of not being able to play if he falls outside the top-60 in the OWGR.

Players who remain inside the top-60 by 22 May or 12 June get invited to the U.S. Open.

Gooch is No. 43 but LIV players are plummeting down the rankings.

There are a number of LIV players who are floating around the cut-off.

Those are Harold Varner III (51), Jason Kokrak (56), Patrick Reed (61) and Kevin Na (63.)

"We definitely feel a responsibility to this game..."

LIV Golf launched a week before last year's major.

Stories about the breakaway tour largely overshadowed the competition.

Brooks Koepka got stroppy and accused the media of casting a "black cloud" over proceedings.

Phil Mickelson also faced an awkward press conference in which he had to face questions about sportswashing and his gambling habits.

USGA chief executive Mike Whan explained the USGA's viewpoint on any potential bans by saying:

"We definitely feel responsibility to this game, and we feel a responsibility to the competitors that play it.

"We did sit down and have a long conversation about a week before the U.S. Open, did where somebody else play and what promoter they played it with, disqualify them for this event?

"We decided no on that, with all the awareness that not everyone would agree with that decision."

Whan later said that he could envisage a day where it would be harder for some to get into the U.S. Open.

He added:

"Will that be true? I don't know, but I can definitely foresee that day."

The 2023 U.S. Open will be played over June 15-18 at Los Angeles Country Club.