Can LIV Golfers Play In The Ryder Cup?
The 2025 match at Bethpage Black is just over a year away, but will LIV golfers be able to play in it?


The 2025 Ryder Cup is just over a year away, where 12 of the game’s top US stars will take on a dozen of the best Europe has to offer at Bethpage Black.
But will LIV golfers have the chance to play, or have their decisions to join the big-money circuit scuppered their hopes?
The short answer is that LIV golfers are eligible for the match, but their chances of getting there are not as good as those on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
The qualification process for US players has already begun. Like the previous edition at Marco Simone, it will see six automatic qualifiers based on money earned during a set period, with captain Keegan Bradley then picking six wildcards to complete the team.
Meanwhile, the Europeans have announced changes to their qualification process. Previously, a European Points List, which was based on Race to Dubai Ranking points, and a World Points List, which was based on Official World Golf Ranking points, were used to determine the six automatic qualifiers. After that captain Luke Donald was able to hand the remaining six a wildcard based on his judgment.
While the wildcard element hasn’t changed, a streamlined system will see one list, with points allocated across a range of different tournaments, including Majors, PGA Tour events and DP World Tour contests.
While that’s all well and good, neither the US qualification process nor the European system accounts for LIV Golf tournaments. So, where does that leave its players? Well, players for both teams can still qualify automatically, but to do so, they’ll need to play eligible events.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
For US players, one point is on offer for every $1,000 earned in an eligible event, meaning Majors take on extra importance.
One LIV Golf star who has already taken advantage of Majors is Bryson DeChambeau. He currently sits third on the points list thanks to the money he has earned in a successful Major year, which included winning the US Open at Pinehurst No.2. However, neither he nor other US LIV golfers will be able to accumulate points on the PGA Tour as they’re suspended.
Bryson DeChambeu is third on the US points list
Technically, there’s nothing stopping European LIV golfers from qualifying automatically, either. After all, they can compete in the Majors if eligible, and so long as there are no outstanding fines to be paid or suspensions to be served, as long as they're still members, they can even play DP World Tour events.
Two LIV golfers hoping to amass points via that route are Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who intend to play the minimum number of DP World Tour events they need to this season to keep their memberships.
If qualification proves beyond LIV golfers due to their limited chances to grab the points, they can also still hope for a wildcard.
Is that likely? Well, in 2023, Brooks Koepka was one of Zach Johnson's wildcards for the US team, although it was hard to leave him out given his season, which included winning the PGA Championship. However, he was very much the exception rather than the rule as the one LIV golfer of the 24 players across both teams.
Brooks Koepka was the only LIV golfer in the 2023 Ryder Cup
Whether captains are more willing to choose LIV players next time could depend on how politically palatable it is.
Currently, there is still a stalemate between the powers that be hoping to broker a deal between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund behind LIV Golf.
The negotiations are likely to have concluded before the wildcards are chosen next year. Depending on which way the talks go, it could affect whether or not the respective captains feel they can turn to the circuit to complete their teams.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
10 Reasons Why Bobby Jones Was The Greatest Amateur Of All Time
The American left an incredible golfing legacy through his exploits on and off the course. Here are 10 reasons why he was the greatest ever amateur.
By Fergus Bisset Published
-
Finally! Rory McIlroy's New Nike Shoes Have Arrived And Here Is How You Can Get Them
After months of waiting, the latest Victory Tour shoes have gone on sale, and here I have detailed how you can get a pair.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
LIV Golf Unveils Its Own Version Of Creator Classic Featuring Grant Horvat, Rick Shiels, Fat Perez And Bryan Bros
Taking place at LIV Golf Miami, six players from the circuit will play alongside six of the game's biggest content creators in a nine-hole scramble event
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Carlos Ortiz 'Overjoyed' To Earn Open Championship Spot After Pulling Away From LIV Rivals During International Series Macau Victory
The Mexican finished with a blistering six-under 64 to earn his second Asian Tour prize and clinch a spot at the 153rd Open Championship
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf Leaderboard At International Series Macau - Open Spots Up For Grabs As Multiple LIV Pros In Contention Going Into Final Day
After a busy Moving Day at Macau Golf and Country Club, a number of LIV golfers are in contention for the victory and a potential spot at The Open Championship
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
'If We Want To Figure Out Why The Game Of Golf Is Not Back Together, Go Ask Those Guys' - Scottie Scheffler Insists LIV Golfers To Blame For Golf's Big Divide
Scottie Scheffler reiterated his stance that LIV golfers were to blame for the continued split in men's pro golf, while insisting the PGA Tour still had a better standard
By Paul Higham Published
-
Paul McGinley Proposes ‘One Of The Things That I Think LIV Have Got Right’ To Be Applied To PGA Tour
The Golf Channel analyst thinks a key change implemented by LIV Golf could make all the difference to the PGA Tour
By Mike Hall Published
-
Joaquin Niemann Wins LIV Golf Singapore Title
The Chilean won his second LIV Golf event of the season thanks to a bogey-free 65 on Sunday in Singapore
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Jon Rahm Equals Bryson DeChambeau's LIV Golf Record After Strong Start In Singapore
The Legion XIII captain matched Bryson DeChambeau's record for consecutive scores under-par in the second round of LIV Golf Singapore
By Mike Hall Published
-
‘I Think It’s Dead, I Think The Other Side Is Gone’ - Lee Trevino Gives Take On PGA Tour-LIV Golf Divide And Calls For Players And Caddies To Speed Up
Lee Trevino was full of praise for the PGA Tour and its immediate future, as he believes that a deal with the Saudi PIF may not come at all
By Paul Higham Published