Road to Royal Portrush

The R&A has announced the qualification pathways for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.

The Open is one of the world’s greatest sporting events and attracts the best men’s golfers from leading professional tours and amateur championships to compete for the famous Claret Jug.

Each year, the exemption categories are reviewed to ensure that pathways are available into the Championship for golfers around the world.

This year, a new category has been introduced which will enable players competing in LIV Golf to earn a place in The Open. The leading player not already exempt in the Top 5 of the 2025 Individual Season Standings following the completion of LIV Golf Dallas will be awarded a place in The 153rd Open.

The new exemption complements existing qualification routes through the FedEx Cup on the PGA TOUR, the Race to Dubai on the DP World Tour and the International Federation Ranking for players competing on the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and the Sunshine Tour.

Please click here to view the full list of exemptions for The 153rd Open.

Mark Darbon, chief executive at The R&A, said: “The Open is a global championship for the best men’s golfers and each year we review our exemptions to ensure that we offer pathways into the Championship based on results achieved on the leading professional tours.

“We acknowledge that players competing in LIV Golf should also have the opportunity to secure places in The Open through its individual season standings as well as existing pathways.

“We are proud to offer a wide range of opportunities to qualify globally and look forward to seeing which golfers will emerge to take their place at Royal Portrush in July.”

The R&A has also announced the schedule for the Open Qualifying Series in 2025 with 15 events in 11 countries offering places in golf’s original championship.

Please click here to view the full schedule of events.

With three players having already earned places via the ISPS HANDA Australian Open last December, the 104th New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport will be the first opportunity this year for players to earn a starting berth at Royal Portrush. The PGA Tour of Australasia event will feature on the schedule for the first time and offer the leading non-exempt golfer a place in The Open.

On the PGA TOUR, places will be available via the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, the RBC Canadian Open and the Genesis Scottish Open, which is co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour.

Places will also be on offer via DP World Tour events in 2025, including the Investec South African Open Championship, which is co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour, and the Italian Open.

In Asia, the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, the Mizuno Open and the KOLON Korea Open will all provide opportunities for golfers aiming to book their place at Royal Portrush.

Regional and Final Qualifying events, which are open to professional and amateur golfers worldwide who meet the entry criteria, will take place at venues around Great Britain and Ireland in June and July ahead of the Championship.