The U.S. Open's move, combined with a new broadcast agreement that puts LIV tournaments on broadcast television, further legitimizes and broadens the breakaway tour, which claims many of the golf world's most notable and charismatic stars.

Starting with the 2026 U.S. Open, the USGA will take the leading player in the final 2025 individual standings, along with the leading player from the May 18, 2026, list.

The USGA is the first of the four major governing bodies to recognize LIV, which begins its fourth season this week.