PGA Championship 2024: LIV Golfers on the Green, with One Notable Absence

The 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla is setting the stage for an intriguing blend of golf talent, including a substantial number from the LIV Golf circuit. Among those making headlines is Talor Gooch, who prematurely revealed his special invite via social media. Gooch tweeted, “Looking forward to Valhalla next week! Thank you for the invitation PGA. See y’all there,” sparking excitement and a bit of a stir.

16 LIV golfers will be playing in the 2024 PGA Championship, good, but not good enough.

In a 156-man field, LIV golfers only account for 10% of the competition.

The deck remains stacked against LIV until there is a clear qualifying system for LIV golfers in place.

— LIV Golf Nation (@LIVGolfNation) May 7, 2024

Talor Gooch receiving a special invitation to compete in the PGA Championship is a significant moment in the history of golf with players receiving invites based on their performance on LIV. (A segment from This Week in Golf which airs tonight at 7pm ET on Newstalk Sauga 960) pic.twitter.com/2vXK7M0oUw

— Chris McKee (@mrmckee) May 7, 2024

PGA Championship field is finalized and a number of LIV players received invites:

Patrick Reed
Talor Gooch
Dean Burmester
Lucas Herbert
Adrian Meronk
David Puig

Really only one player on the outside looking in: Louis Oosthuizen.

DataGolf ranks him No. 32 in the world.

— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) May 7, 2024

This year, the PGA of America has rolled out the green carpet for seven LIV players who have earned their spots among the top 100 in the world rankings. This strategic move is part of an effort to maintain the Championship’s reputation for featuring the strongest field across the four major tournaments. Despite this inclusion, one high-profile player, Louis Oosthuizen, a British Open champion and LIV golfer, turned down his invite due to prior commitments.

The mix of players includes the likes of Patrick Reed, whose performance at the Masters helped him secure his spot. Other notable invites are Joaquin Niemann, Dean Burmester, Lucas Herbert, and Adrian Meronk, all comfortably within the top 100. A slight stretch beyond the top 100 saw David Puig, ranked 106th, receiving an invite due to his impressive run in recent Asian Tour events.

This year’s event is not just about the names but the narratives that come with them. The inclusion of LIV golfers like Brooks Koepka, the defending champion aiming for his fourth PGA Championship title, and the only LIV player to have won a major, adds layers to the unfolding drama.

As we approach the Championship, set to be held from May 16-19, the storylines are as rich as the history of the venue itself. Valhalla, a course that has witnessed legendary moments like Rory McIlroy’s victory in 2014 and Tiger Woods’ dramatic playoff win in 2000, is ready to host another chapter in golf history. Whether it’s a story of redemption, triumph, or controversy, the 2024 PGA Championship is poised to be a tournament to remember.