USGA adds U.S. Open exemption for Korn Ferry Tour season-long points winner
Changes are afoot for future U.S. Open fields.
On Monday the U.S. Golf Association announced a new exemption category for the winner of the season-long Korn Ferry Tour points list that will begin with the 2023 event at Los Angeles Country Club. The player with the most points from the tour’s 23-event regular season and three-event playoffs in 2022 will earn the exemption.
The 2022 season begins Sunday with the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay. The first two events on the 2022 KFT schedule are in the Bahamas.
“The USGA is pleased to offer an exemption to a tour that has been well-represented in the U.S. Open and has developed an accomplished group of professionals for more than three decades,” said John Bodenhamer, chief championships officer for the USGA. “Past U.S. Open champions Lucas Glover and Bryson DeChambeau are among the many who have started their careers on the Korn Ferry Tour.”
“We are appreciative of the USGA acknowledging the exceptional performances by recent Korn Ferry Tour alumni in major championships and PGA Tour events, and we are excited to see our members compete for this amazing opportunity annually,” said Alex Baldwin, president of the Korn Ferry Tour. “On behalf of the Korn Ferry Tour and all our members, thank you to the USGA for taking this important step. We look forward to seeing our 2022 season-long points leader compete in the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at the Los Angeles Country Club in 2023.”
