Royal Portrush is ready for the final major of the year – and the LIV Golf League has never been more strongly represented. A total of 19 players from the alternative tour’s roster are in the field for the 2025 British Open. That’s more than at any previous major since the league’s founding in 2022. The classic links course in Northern Ireland will thus become the biggest sporting meeting ground of the two golf worlds.
It’s The Open 🏆
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) July 15, 2025
19 LIV Golf League players have descended on Royal Portrush for the final major of 2025 🙌#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/BuzVn9wmDX
Three Qualify the Hard Way – The Rest by Class and Legacy
Dean Burmester, Lucas Herbert, and Lee Westwood had to go through the grind of the final qualifiers – and each earned their spot with top performances. For 52-year-old Westwood, this marks his first British Open appearance since 2022. The other 16 LIV players qualified via rankings, past Open performances, or previous major success. Among them are household names in the golf world: Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka – all with extensive major championship experience.
Former Open Champions Return for the 2025 British Open
The LIV lineup for the 2025 British Open includes four former winners of the Claret Jug: Cameron Smith (2022), Henrik Stenson (2016), Phil Mickelson (2013), and Louis Oosthuizen (2010). While none of them won under the LIV banner, they all bring valuable experience on true links courses. Stenson and Mickelson once delivered one of the greatest Open duels of all time – and now join the largest LIV contingent ever seen at a major. Royal Portrush will not be unfamiliar territory: Koepka finished fourth here in 2019, Reed was tenth, and Rahm and Smith both finished T20.
Several LIV players have also impressed in the current major season. Jon Rahm finished all three previous majors inside the top 15. Bryson DeChambeau was runner-up at the PGA Championship, and Tyrrell Hatton came fourth at the US Open. The 2025 British Open thus showcases not only seasoned names but also recent top form.
Young, in Form – and Right in the Middle of It
Among the many veterans are also players just beginning to hit their stride. Tom McKibbin, the 22-year-old local hero from Northern Ireland, has posted back-to-back top-5 finishes in LIV events – and his home course is only an hour’s drive from Portrush. Joaquin Niemann leads the LIV season standings and arrives brimming with confidence. Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Lucas Herbert have also recently posted impressive rounds.
List of LIV Golfers at the 2025 British Open
- Dean Burmester (England)
- John Catlin (USA)
- Bryson DeChambeau (USA)
- Sergio Garcia (Spain)
- Tyrrell Hatton (England)
- Lucas Herbert (South Africa)
- Dustin Johnson (USA)
- Brooks Koepka (USA)
- Jason Kokrak (USA)
- Tom McKibbin (Northern Ireland)
- Phil Mickelson (USA)
- Joaquin Niemann (Chile)
- Louis Oosthuizen (USA)
- Carlos Ortiz (Mexico)
- Patrick Reed (USA)
- Jon Rahm (Spain)
- Cameron Smith (Australia)
- Henrik Stenson (Sweden)
- Lee Westwood (England)