Tiger Woods has officially been locked in to play at the PGA Championship, as six LIV Golf rebels were handed lifelines with invitations to the major – one year after Brooks Koepka’s victory.
On Tuesday, the PGA of America revealed the names of 154 of the 156 golfers who will compete at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. The tournament begins on May 16.
In addition to Koepka – a three-time and defending champion – LIV Golf features 15 other players in the field — notably World No. 5 Jon Rahm of Spain, No. 17 Tyrrell Hatton of England, and No. 56 Cameron Smith of Australia.
Surprisingly, lowly ranked (No. 644) Talor Gooch and (No. 92) Patrick Reed, both of the US, made the cut, as well as No. 91 Joaquin Niemann of Chile, No. 63 Adrian Meronk of Poland, and tied No. 39 David Puig of Spain.
All six golfers ditched the PGA Tour for LIV over the last two years.
Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is soon to become a father for the first time, will also take part in a decorated field next week.
Two spots will go to the winners of the Wells Fargo Championship and Myrtle Beach Classic. Should a golfer who is already exempt emerge victorious, the PGA of America will go to the alternate list.
Koepka, ranked 37th in the world, recorded his fifth career major last year by winning the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club. He also won the tournament in 2018 and 2019.
Woods, a 15-time major champion, won the PGA Championship in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007, while world No. 2 McIlroy emerged victorious in 2012 and 2014.
Scheffler, a runner-up last year at this tournament, and the top 103 players in the Official World Golf Ranking will test their mettle at Valhalla.
