The battle of OWGR points has long complicated LIV golfers’ paths into majors. Earlier this year, though, the R&A offered a breakthrough—introducing a new exemption for players leading the LIV Golf standings. That February update allowed Joaquin Niemann to punch his ticket to The Open Championship. And now, just five months later, another door has opened.

This week, Augusta National Golf Club and the R&A jointly announced new qualification pathways for international players across both The Masters and The Open. Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National, emphasized the importance of diversity in the field, saying, “The Masters Tournament has long recognised the significance of having international representation among its invitees… Today’s announcement strengthens our organisations’ collective vision of rewarding top talent around the world who rise to the top of historic national open championships.”

Recently, the Augusta National Golf Club and the R&A have jointly shared their plans to extend qualification criteria for inviting international players in both majors. Sharing that, Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, said, “The Masters Tournament has long recognised the significance of having international representation among its invitees.” Even further, he shared, “We, along with The R&A, have a shared commitment to the global game and are proud to work together. Today’s announcement strengthens our organisation’s collective vision of rewarding top talent around the world who rise to the top of historic national open championships. We hope this formal recognition shines a bright light on these players and the events they will represent at the Masters and The Open, beginning next year.”

According to the statement on X, winners of several prestigious tournaments—such as the Scottish Open, Spanish Open, Japan Open, Hong Kong Open (Asian Tour), Australian Open, and South African Open—will now earn exemptions. This creates new routes for LIV golfers, many of whom compete in or around these circuits. At the same time, PGA Tour players face a loss: fall event winners will no longer get automatic Masters invites, keeping the major’s field as exclusive as ever.

Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of the R&A, called it “an outstanding opportunity for players in all parts of the world to qualify.” For LIV golfers, the timing couldn’t be better. With regular stops on the Asian Tour and access to circuits like the Sunshine Tour and Japan Tour, they now have more chances to make it into the majors—even if their crowded schedules limit appearances outside LIV. Joaquin Niemann, for example, has already benefited twice, including from his 2024 Australian Open win.

This is a noticeable pattern towards the inclusivity of LIV golf into worldwide golf, making it more recognized. Even in June this year, LIV golf had again sent a plea to be recognized by the OWGR, but this time the OWGR officials themselves said that they will look into the matter in an X post.

But just as LIV golfers got some good news, another challenge emerged.

LIV Golf took a strong decision against the players’ will

In July, Telegraph Sport revealed that LIV Golf plans to stop covering DP World Tour fines for its players starting in 2026. Until now, the league has spent around €15 million settling those penalties, with another €8–10 million still outstanding.

For stars like Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Adrian Meronk, that decision could create a Ryder Cup headache. European team rules require DP World Tour membership—and without LIV footing the bill, players would be on the hook themselves. Rahm’s manager has already made the stance clear: “He has no intention of paying any fines.”

This leaves one big question: with exemptions expanding but Ryder Cup doors closing, is reunification the only way fans will get to see the game’s best battle it out on the same stage? Or will these changes further divide golf’s biggest names?