The U.S. Open became the first major championship to publish a pathway for players from LIV Golf through a new exemption category.

The U.S. Open's move, combined with a new broadcast agreement that puts LIV tournaments on broadcast television, further legitimizes and broadens the breakaway tour, which claims many of the golf world's most notable and charismatic stars.

The USGA is the first of the four major governing bodies to recognize LIV, which begins its fourth season this week.