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
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
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
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 the method in which Lefty is into this year's US Open.
Mickelson has famously never won the US Open - needing a title to complete his personal Grand Slam - but has six runner-up finishes across his highly-distinguished career.
He recently discussed the prospect of retiring from playing in the not-too-distant future, and has previously gone on record as saying if he ever won the US Open, he would call it a day. You can't argue with that logic.
RACE TO DUBAI TOP TWO
Poland's Adrian Meronk
Adrian Meronk is one of the newest LIV signings - having switched from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour in January 2024 - and finds himself with a US Open spot due to his high finish in the European Tour's season points list last year.
The Polish player - who was desperately unlucky not to make it onto Team Europe in the most-recent Ryder Cup - ended fourth in 2023 behind Rahm, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Rory McIlroy. Yet, with those three all exempt via other categories beforehand, Meronk was invited to Pinehurst No.2.
QUALIFIED AND ELIGIBLE FOR 2023 TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Tyrrell Hatton at LIV Golf Las Vegas
The final LIV player on its list of exempt golfers is Tyrrell Hatton - the man who moved over to join Rahm's Legion XIII shortly before the 2024 PGA Tour season began in earnest.
Hatton qualified for the Tour Championship last season and ended up finishing T16, which ultimately secured his place at Pinehurst.
THE THREE SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS
Eugenio Chacarra (above) will be joined by fellow qualifiers Dean Burmester and David Puig at Pinehurst
Eugenio Chacarra went through final US Open qualifying in Texas midway through May and secured his spot alongside nine others - including Francesco Molinari and SH Kim.
The Fireballs GC player was later joined by David Puig and Dean Burmester - both of whom have enjoyed a sparkling past six months or so via multiple victories and several high finishes on either the Asian Tour or in the LIV Golf League.
LIV GOLFERS IN 2024 US OPEN FIELD
EXEMPT
- Jon Rahm
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Brooks Koepka
- Dustin Johnson
- Martin Kaymer
- Cameron Smith
- Phil Mickelson
- Tyrrell Hatton
- Adrian Meronk
QUALIFIED
- Eugenio Chacarra
- David Puig
- Dean Burmester
-
Tiger Woods To Make PNC Championship Return Alongside Son CharlieThe 15-time Major winner is set to tee it up for the first time since back surgery in September, with Team Woods making their fifth appearance in the tournament
-
These Drivers Are Being Replaced In 2025 So Now Is The Best Time To Grab a DealNew drivers look to be on the way early in 2025 so now is a great time to pick up some notable discounts models that impressed us this year
-
LIV Golf Transfer Window: How All 13 Teams Are Shaping UpAfter three full seasons, attention now turns to the fourth year of the LIV Golf League and, between now and the start in February, there's plenty to be sorted...
-
LIV Golf Promotions Full Field, Format And What You Need To KnowAhead of this week's LIV Golf Promotions at Riyadh Golf Club, the full field has been confirmed - and several notable names have been included...
-
Which Tournaments LIV Golfers Won In 2024LIV Golfers won a lot of tournaments worldwide this year outside of the 54-hole circuit...
-
Greg Norman Confirms He’s Being Replaced As LIV Golf CEOThe Australian told WISH-TV that he will be replaced as LIV Golf CEO, but that he’ll have a part to play in “some capacity”
-
LIV Golfer Talor Gooch Buys Up Second Sports FranchiseThe Smash GC player has followed his investment in a Professional Bull Riders franchise with the purchase of a Sport Fishing Championship team
-
Joaquin Niemann Beats Fellow LIV Golfers In Saudi Playoff To Finish Top Of Asian Tour’s International Series RankingsNiemann’s two birdies in the playoff were enough for him to edge out fellow LIV Golfers Cameron Smith and Caleb Surratt in the Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club
-
Why No-One Has Earned A 2025 LIV Golf Card Via The International Series RankingsJoaquin Niemann's victory in Saudi Arabia meant the LIV Golfer topped the International Series Rankings, resulting in no players securing a card for the circuit in 2025
-
Kevin Na's LIV Golf Team Teases New SigningsKevin Na's Iron Heads GC has revealed it will make three signings ahead of the 2025 season
