In two months in Oak Hill, near Rochester, New York, LIV Golf players will be able to take part in their second Major tournament of the season provided they meet the selection criteria for the PGA Championship.
Last instance to speak, the decision of the PGA of America was eagerly awaited. But unsurprisingly, the organizers of the 2nd Major tournament of the season aligned themselves with the position of the Masters , the Royal and Ancient and the USGA .
This now means LIV Golf players will be well-started in all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2023.
PGA of America boss Seth Waugh ( left pictured with Greg Norman in 2020 ) said in a press release:
“ Our decisions are always based on what is in the best interests of the PGA of America and on delivering the best championship possible. Unfortunately, the current divide in professional gaming is not good for the sport or the future of the game. Hopefully there will be a resolution soon. In the meantime, as always, we will be focused on our mission to grow the game and improve the lives of our members, who work so hard to impact millions of lives every day. »
Some felt that there was a risk of exclusion of several big-name players like the winner of the 2021 edition Phil Mickelson , Dustin Johnson or Cameron Smith . Even eligible, they might not have been allowed to play due to their suspension from the PGA Tour .
Because last year, Waugh had explained that the statutes of the PGA of America stipulate that one must be a member of a recognized circuit to claim an exemption as a player.
Number down sharply
In 2022, 37 players from the current LIV Golf contingent were able to line up at the start of the tournament won by Justin Thomas in Southern Hills near Tulsa . More than in any other Major: 22 at the Masters 2022, 27 at the US Open 2022 and 30 in The Open 2022.
This will not be the case this year.
Indeed, their number should oscillate between 10 and 20 maximum due to the decline of several players beyond the world top 100. In general, the PGA of America invites players from the top 100 in the ranking published 2 weeks before the event.
9 exempted at the moment
Currently eligible LIV players include former PGA Championship winners Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Martin Kaymer.
But also the former Major winners of the last five years: Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed.
And, finally, the players who finished in the top 15 of the PGA Championship 2022: Mito Pereira, Brendan Steele.
Source: Golf Planete
