In a significant development for professional golf, the PGA of America has confirmed that players from the LIV Golf League will not be barred from participating in the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Team or the PGA Championship. The announcement, made on Thursday, signals a major shift in how the golf world views LIV players and clarifies their eligibility for two of the sport’s most prestigious competitions.

The PGA of America’s statement outlined that LIV golfers, who have faced scrutiny and division due to their association with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, will now be allowed to compete in both the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship. “To ensure the PGA Championship will continue to deliver the strongest field in golf and that the U.S. Ryder Cup team will continue to have access to the best American players, the PGA of America board has determined that LIV Golf players will be eligible for both,” the statement read.

This decision puts LIV golfers on equal footing with players from other professional tours, ensuring that top American golfers—regardless of their league affiliation—can still qualify for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. The move follows a trend where LIV players like Brooks Koepka have competed in major events, including the 2023 Ryder Cup.

While LIV players will now be eligible, the PGA of America did not specify direct pathways for them to qualify for the PGA Championship. Typically, players who rank in the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking receive an invitation, but there is no formal exemption for LIV golfers. However, the clarification ensures that any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is selected by the U.S. captain will be eligible.

This opens the door for well-known LIV players like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka to represent the U.S. at the Ryder Cup in 2025. DeChambeau, who finished second at the 2024 PGA Championship and won the U.S. Open earlier in the year, is currently third on the U.S. Ryder Cup points list. His performance alone makes him a strong candidate for captain Keegan Bradley’s team, regardless of his LIV affiliation.

There has been some hesitation within the PGA of America regarding how to handle LIV Golf members. Earlier reports suggested that the organization might prevent players like DeChambeau and Koepka from holding membership status, which would have made their inclusion on the Ryder Cup team more complicated. However, the Thursday statement appears to have resolved these issues.

Kerry Haigh, the PGA of America’s chief championships officer, explained to GolfChannel.com that the organization simply added LIV Golf to its list of recognized tours. This move allows LIV players to maintain their eligibility for PGA of America membership, a crucial factor in Ryder Cup selection. “We’ve added the LIV tour to the list of tours that are eligible towards A-3 membership, which all (PGA) Tour members are eligible for,” Haigh said.

Looking ahead to the 2025 Ryder Cup, which will take place at the iconic Bethpage Black course in New York, this decision could significantly shape the U.S. team. Players like DeChambeau and Koepka have proven themselves on golf’s biggest stages, and their inclusion could bolster the U.S. squad’s chances of winning back the Ryder Cup.

While the debate over LIV Golf’s impact on the sport continues, the PGA of America’s decision ensures that the best American golfers, regardless of their tour affiliation, can compete in the Ryder Cup. As the golfing world moves forward, this decision may mark a turning point in uniting players from different leagues and focusing on the game itself.