There are numerous categories for full exemptions and partial exemptions. Players often do not know if they will have to qualify until the last moment as some of the categories are current and go right up to tournament time. Unlike the other majors, U.S. Open champions are only exempt for 10 years. British Open winners can play until they're 65, while the PGA Championship and Masters offer lifetime exemptions.

 

These are the players who go right to the Open without having to qualify
Sectional qualifying exemption criteria
1. Winners of the U.S. Open Championship for the last 10 years.
2. Current Winner of the  U.S. Amateur Championship.
3. Winners of The Masters the last five years.
4. Winners of the British Open Championship the last five years.
5. Winners of the PGA of America Championship the last five years.
6. Current Winner of the PLAYERS Championship.
7. Current Winner of the  U.S. Senior Open Championship.
8. From the 2003 U.S. Open Championship, the 15 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 15th place.
9. From the 2003 final official PGA TOUR money list, the top 30 money leaders.
10. From the 2003 final official PGA European Tour money list, the top 15 money leaders.
11. From the 2004 official PGA TOUR money list, the top 10 money leaders through May 27 (must have filed an entry by April 25).
12. Any multiple winner of PGA TOUR co-sponsored events whose victories are considered official from April 26, 2003 through June 3, 2004. (Note: Blank entries will be filed by the USGA for players who become exempt after close of entries).
13. Special exemptions selected by the USGA Executive Committee. (Note: Blank entries will be filed by the USGA for players who become exempt after close of entries).
14. From the 2004 official PGA European Tour money list, the top two money leaders through May 28. (Note: Blank entries will be filed by the USGA.)
15. From the 2003 final official Japan Golf Tour money list, the top two money leaders provided they are within the top 75 point leaders of the World Ranking at that time.
16. From the 2003-2004 final official PGA TOUR of Australia money list, the top two money leaders provided they are within the top 75 point leaders of the World Ranking at that time.
17. From the current World Rankings, the top 50 point leaders as of May 28th.
 
These are the players who go directly to the Sectional Qualifying
Local qualifying exemption criteria
1. All former winners of the U.S. Open Championship.
2. All former winners of the U.S. Amateur Championship.
3. All former winners of The Masters Tournament, the British Open Championship and PGA of America Championship.
4. Winner of the 2003 British Amateur Championship.
5. Winners of U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship for the last five years.
6. Playing members of the United States Walker Cup and U.S. Men's World Amateur Teams for the last 10 years.
7. Playing members of the United States and European Ryder Cup teams for the last 10 years .
8. Winners of PGA TOUR co-sponsored events, whose victories are considered official, in the last two calendar years (and during the current year, through April 25 (must have filed an entry by April 25).
9. Winners of BUY.COM TOUR, African Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Tour and Australasian Tour events, whose victories are considered official, in the last calendar year and during the current year , through April 25 (must have filed an entry by April 25).
10. From the 2003 U.S. Open Championship, those returning scores for 72 holes (excluding those fully exempt as listed above).
11. From the 2003 PGA of America Championship, the 30 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 30th place (excluding those fully exempt as listed above):
12. From the 2003 final official PGA TOUR money list, the top 125 money leaders, and from the final official PGA TOUR money list, the leader in each of the last five calendar years.
13. From the 2003 final official BUY.COM TOUR money list, the top five money leaders.
14. From the official PGA TOUR career money list, the top 50 money leaders as of the end of 2000.
15. From the 2004 PGA European Tour exemption categories, those players listed in categories numbered 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8.
16. From the final 2003 World Rankings, the top 75 point leaders in 2000 only.
17. From the current World Rankings, the top 100 point leaders as of April 25, 2004 (must have filed an entry by April 25).
18. From the 2004 PGA TOUR official money list, the top 100 money leaders through April 25 (must have filed an entry by April 25).
19. Quarterfinalists from the 2003U.S. Amateur Championship.
20. Winner of the 2003 USGA Senior Amateur Championship.
21. Head professional at club hosting the Championship.
22. Winner of the 2003 PGA of America Club Professional Championship.
23. Any player whom the USGA Executive Committee selects for an exemption on the basis of his playing record (may be added to the field of 750 players but must have filed an entry by April 25).

 

Long Island Golf News