The leading LIV Golf League player not already exempt for this year's Open Championship will gain entry to the field for Royal Portrush.

The US Open will become the first major to offer exemptions to LIV Golf players, introducing new qualification criteria for them to compete in the championship, the USGA announced on Wednesday.

The leading player not already exempt in the top five of the Saudi-funded breakaway's standings, following the completion of LIV Golf Dallas at the end of June, will be awarded the spot at Portrush this summer, continuing a softening of the stance on the series from the majors.

The R&A has created an exemption category for LIV Golf players to compete in The Open, it said on Monday, becoming the second major golf tournament to introduce a formal pathway for golfers on the Saudi-backed circuit after the US Open.

The U.S. Open is the first major to publish a pathway for players from Saudi-funded LIV Golf. The USGA will take the leading player from among the top three in the LIV individual standings in the middle of May.

The Open will provide an exemption for a LIV Golf star for the first time at Royal Portrush, further solidifying the Saudi-backed league's presence in the golf world. This development comes after the US Open became the first Major to extend an invitation to the highest non-qualified LIV player to compete at Oakmont in June.

LIV Golf players will now be able to qualify for the Open Championship, the oldest and most prestigious major on the golfing calendar, using points gained in the 54-hole no-cut league

The United States Golf Association became the first governing body to award LIV Golf a pathway into its flagship championship.

The US Open becomes the first of golf's four majors to introduce a formal pathway for players on the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf circuit.

The Open will exempt the leading points earner from LIV Golf not already eligible, following a similar move by the USGA earlier this month.