May 10, 2025 –
Despite an impressive season that currently places him 5th in the LIV Golf standings, Australian pro Lucas Herbert has been left off the invite list for the 2025 PGA Championship — a move that’s sparked fresh debate around LIV Golf players’ access to major championships.
Speaking candidly ahead of this week’s International Series Japan, Herbert didn’t hold back about the challenges LIV players continue to face when it comes to golf’s biggest stages.
“We knew majors would be the sticking point,” Herbert said in an interview with Flushing It Golf. “Watching Augusta knowing I had no path there was tough. It’s the kind of thing you dream about your whole career.”
While Herbert has been one of the standout performers in LIV’s 2025 season, his success on the breakaway tour hasn’t translated into guaranteed access to majors — a growing frustration for several of LIV’s top talents. The PGA Championship’s decision to exclude Herbert despite his form has raised eyebrows, especially as lesser-ranked players from other tours have received exemptions.
Still, Herbert struck a balanced tone, emphasizing how LIV has helped him elevate his game.
“I’ve played some of my best golf this year thanks to LIV’s team environment and a proper off-season. That structure has been huge for me—mentally and physically.”
The 29-year-old Aussie also confirmed he intends to pursue qualification routes for both the U.S. Open and The Open Championship, showcasing his continued ambition to compete on golf’s grandest stages, regardless of the hurdles.
The broader issue of how LIV players are treated by major championship organizers continues to evolve. While some governing bodies, like The R&A and USGA, have been more open to LIV participation through qualifiers, others—such as Augusta National and the PGA of America—remain selective, often defaulting to legacy criteria or Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) positions that many LIV players struggle to maintain due to the ongoing dispute over LIV’s eligibility in the rankings.
Herbert’s story reflects a wider tension within professional golf: the clash between performance and politics, loyalty and opportunity.
As the LIV Golf League continues to expand globally and solidify its presence, players like Herbert find themselves caught between two worlds—proving their worth week after week, yet still fighting for a seat at the majors’ table.
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