Pathways Validate LIV Golf

The changes reflect rival circuit's status, but Watson wants more slots at Majors

- Kimberly Kwek

Amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of LIV Golf as merger talks with the PGA Tour drag on, there is a bright spark following the recent introduction of a direct pathway into the US Open and the British Open for the breakaway series' golfers.

In February, the two Major championships announced formal qualification paths for players from the rival tour—a first since the Saudi-backed circuit's inaugural season in 2022—and this has been welcomed by LIV golfers.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson said: "Any chance we have to get into the Majors, get all of us playing together again, it's always a good thing. But this is a start. This is a start in the right direction, that people recognize that LIV is here to stay and that LIV is not going anywhere, and it's only getting better."

The 46-year-old American was speaking at a press conference on March 13 at Sentosa Golf Club, which will host the LIV Singapore event at its Serapong Course from March 14 to 16.

Since LIV's debut, the PGA Tour has banned LIV players from competing in its events. That has left the Majors as the only place where stars from both tours can compete against one another.