In a move aiming to settle the eligibility debate, the PGA of America has voted to allow players competing on the LIV Golf series to take part in two prestigious events on the golfing calendar.

PGA of America CEO Kerry Haigh confirmed to GolfChannel that LIV Tour has now been added to the list of "approved tours", ensuring players can maintain crucial A-3 membership. This was a necessary "cleanup" following the defections to the Saudi-backed circuit.

“It’s more of a cleanup,” Kerry Haigh, the association’s chief championships officer and interim CEO, told GolfChannel.com. “We’ve added the LIV tour to the list of tours that are eligible towards A-3 membership, which all [PGA] Tour members are eligible for. The LIV players had previously been [PGA of America] members but had we not done this they would have had to go through more requirements which no other tour members are asked to do.”

LIV members like Bryson DeChambeau, who won the U.S. Open last year, will therefore be eligible to represent Team USA at the Ryder Cup in New York next September. It also exempts them to compete in this season's PGA Championship at Oak Hill.

While the PGA's decision stops short of awarding world ranking points or formal Ryder Cup qualifying to LIV tournaments, it does enable captain Keegan Bradley to simply select "the best 12 players" available.

While the PGA of America has no plans yet to award Ryder Cup qualifying points for LIV Golf events, according CEO Kerry Haigh, the latest moves clear a broader path for defectors to the breakaway series.

Haigh confirmed LIV players including Dustin Johnson and Pat Reed will retain crucial A-3 membership status moving forward, ensuring ongoing eligibility for golf's premier national team competition.

U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley echoed at the BMW Championship that his sole focus will be selecting "the 12 best players", with PGA membership the sole prerequisite.

With the scrutiny over their place in the Ryder Cup landscape now decreased, the onus shifts to LIV stars to make their case for one of coveted roster spots through performance over the next 12 months.

“All these players would have still been eligible in the short term but they would have had to do additional requirements [to maintain membership],” said Haigh, who was tabbed as the interim CEO after former chief executive Seth Waugh stepped down in June. “LIV players have always been eligible and this cleanup of the bylaws just makes it more consistent with the other tours and will allow the best players in the world to play the PGA Championship and represent the U.S. team at the Ryder Cup, which has always been the case.”

Read more: PGA Tour’s Saudi deal drags on with players arguing over pay

Fresh intrigue has emerged in the ongoing LIV-DP World Tour saga, with breakaway star Jon Rahm taking action in hopes of defending European colors at the Ryder Cup.

As previously reported, the DP World Tour allows LIV members to compete in the biennial matches if they fulfill membership obligations like playing four European circuit events.

However, the fines levied on LIV participants for violating tour regulations have been a sticking point - none moreso than Rahm.

I've learned the Spaniard appealed the penalties last week, vowing to exceed the minimum appearances needed in 2023. Spearheaded by his Paris Olympics start, Rahm strongly signaled intent to feature for Team Europe at Marco Simone GC.

While still "not a fan" of the sanctions, sources say Rahm has initiated talks with the DP World Tour aiming to resolve the conflict. A resolution could ensure one of Ryder Cup's glamour attractions remains available for selection.

“I’m not a big fan of the fines,” Rahm said. “I think I’ve been outspoken about that. I don’t intend to pay the fines, and we keep trying to have a discussion with them about how we can make this happen.”

With qualification season fast approaching, all eyes will be on Rahm's situation and whether he succeeds in greasing the wheels to defend the storied trophy on European soil next September.