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Road to St Andrews: 2027 Open qualifying set, LIV spot under review
The R&A has confirmed 19 Open Qualifying Series events in 15 countries for the 155th Open, plus Final Qualifying venues. The LIV Golf exemption is on hold until LIV's 2027 schedule is known.
The R&A has confirmed the routes into the 155th Open at St Andrews in July 2027, and put the exemption for LIV Golf players on hold.
Nineteen events, fifteen countries
The Open Qualifying Series (OQS) will offer places through 19 tournaments in 15 countries, spread across the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, KPGA Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Sunshine Tour and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
It begins this week at the FedEx Open de France at Le Golf National, followed in October by the Open de España, the Japan Open and the Hong Kong Open. After that it moves through:
- Australasia and beyond: the Australian Open (three places, December), the New Zealand Open and an event in Argentina still to be confirmed (both February)
- Africa: the South African Open (three places, March)
- North America: the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Memorial Tournament, the RBC Canadian Open and, in July, the John Deere Classic
- Asia-Pacific: the Singapore Open, Korea Open and Mizuno Open
- Europe: the Irish Open and the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, two of the last chances before the championship
Four Final Qualifying venues on 29 June
Regional and Final Qualifying remain open to professionals and amateurs worldwide who meet the entry criteria, with events around Great Britain and Ireland in June. Final Qualifying will be played on 29 June 2027 at Burnham & Berrow, Gailes Links, Prince’s and West Lancashire.
There is also a Last-Chance Qualifier on the Old Course itself on Monday 12 July, with one final place in the championship up for grabs.
LIV exemption on hold
This year’s Open included an exemption category tied to the LIV Golf standings, and Joaquin Niemann held it for 2026. For St Andrews, The R&A says the LIV Golf Order of Merit exemption “remains under review” until LIV’s 2027 schedule is confirmed.
Golf Channel reports that LIV filed for Chapter 11 earlier this month, after the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia said it would stop funding the league after the 2026 season, and that a ten-event 2027 schedule has been proposed but depends on new funding.
We think the R&A is right to wait. If there is proper competition on LIV in 2027, the best player in it should get the place; if there isn’t, there is nothing to reward. LIV players without the exemption can still enter qualifying like anyone else who meets the criteria.
Sources
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