Talor Gooch, a member of LIV Golf, has secured a spot in this year’s PGA Championship, as announced on his social media on Monday. The PGA of America is finalizing the full field, with invitations being extended to players for the upcoming event at Valhalla.
Gooch’s invitation holds significance as he predominantly competes within the LIV Golf schedule. His invitation is solely based on his outstanding performance within the Saudi-funded league, where he clinched three victories last year and topped its points list.
Kerry Haigh, the championship director at the PGA of America, reiterated the committee’s commitment to considering players from various tours globally, emphasizing merit as the primary criterion for invitations.
Joaquin Niemann, who previously received a special invitation to the Masters, has also secured a spot in the PGA Championship, further underlining the event’s inclusivity towards deserving players from diverse backgrounds.
Despite his lower world ranking due to LIV events not offering ranking points, Gooch remains a formidable contender, boasting one PGA Tour title before joining LIV Golf in 2022.
Gooch’s stance on LIV Golf and its impact on major tournaments has been vocalized previously, adding to the broader conversation surrounding the league’s influence on the golf landscape.
In addition to Gooch, David Puig of Spain is expected to receive an invitation, primarily based on his performances outside LIV Golf, including victories on the Asian Tour.
Louis Oosthuizen and Dean Burmester, both LIV players, are also under consideration for invitations, having secured victories in co-sanctioned tournaments late last year.
The PGA Championship, renowned for its competitive field, traditionally extends invitations to top-ranked players globally, ensuring a high caliber of competition at the event.
Patrick Reed, among the top 100 players globally, continues his streak of participating in majors, further enriching the field for the upcoming PGA Championship.
