THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP has confirmed that one LIV Golf League player will receive a place in the field for this year’s tournament at Royal Portrush. A place will be awarded to the highest-ranked LIV player not already exempt from majors. The qualifying criteria is based on the PIF-backed tour’s individual standings after their LIV Dallas event concludes at the end of June. R&A's announcement follows a similar decision by the US Open, which recently announced an exemption for one top-performing LIV player ahead of its mid-June tournament. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon explained the reasoning behind the decision in a statement on Monday. It read: "The Open is a global championship for the best men's golfers, and we review our exemptions annually to ensure pathways are available through results on leading professional tours. "We recognise that LIV Golf players should also have the opportunity to qualify based on their season standings, alongside the existing qualification routes. "We take pride in offering numerous opportunities for players worldwide to earn their place, and we look forward to seeing who will secure their spot at Royal Portrush in July." LIV also released a statement that thanked the R&A for their decision. A statement read: "We thank Mark Darbon for his leadership and the R&A for taking this step for the benefit of moving golf forward. "The Open Championship is one of the most prestigious events in all of sports. "The acknowledgment that competitors from the LIV Golf League and The International Series will have the opportunity to play in golf’s original major is a true testament to the strength of fields and the R&A's commitment to golf fans around the world. "LIV will continue our mission to bring the best players to the four corners of the world to grow the game. We are excited for the future of this great sport." Additionally, The International Series Macau has been included in The Qualifying Series. That event will offer three more spots. All LIV players will be eligible to compete in this Asian Tour event, which featured over 20 LIV participants last season.