How to qualify for the PGA Championship at Aronimink in 2026

As you would expect from a major, it is a stellar field featuring all of the game’s big guns and in-form players – but how do you qualify for the PGA Championship?

The PGA Championship is the second major tournament of season and there are several ways in which players can qualify for the PGA Championship. Below we have the criteria that allow access, all you need to do is meet one of them.

At the start of 2025, The Open and the US Open announced a brand new qualification category specific to the LIV Golf League, the first major categories of their kind.

The highest-ranked player not otherwise exempt in the LIV standings by May 19 qualified for the US Open, and the same criteria applied to The Open but through LIV Golf’s Dallas event at the end of June.

From winning on the senior tour to qualifying via the PGA Professionals Championship, this tournament offers many routes to allow a wide variety of competitors a path to glory

Here is how to qualify for the 2026 PGA Championship…

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PGA Championship qualification: Everything you need to know is here…

1. Win the PGA Championship

Any player to have won a PGA Championship will receive a lifetime exemption to the tournament.

2. Win the Masters

All Masters champions from the previous five years will receive an invite to play at the PGA Championship.

3. Win the US Open

All US Open champions from the previous five years will receive an invite to play at the PGA Championship.

4. Win the Open

All Open champions from the previous five years will receive an invite to play at the PGA Championship.

5. Win the Players Championship

All Players Champions from the previous three years will receive an invite to play at the PGA Championship.

6. Finish in the top three on the International Federation Official World Golf Ranking list

Players in the top three in the International Federation Official World Golf Ranking list by April 27 will qualify for the PGA Championship.

7. Win the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship

The 2025 and 2026 winners of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship will earn a spot to play at the PGA Championship.

8. Finish in the top 15 places at the PGA Championship

The top 15 players at the previous PGA Championship will receive an invite to play in the following year’s tournament.

9. Finish in the top 20 at the 2025 PGA Professional Championship (April 29)

The PGA Professionals Championship is an event for club professionals and teachers. To play in the tournament, the player must be a member of the PGA of America, and all those in the top 20 will receive an invite to play in the following year’s tournament.

10. Rack up as many points as possible

The top 70 players who have earned the most PGA Championship points from the 2025 Truist Championship and the Myrtle Beach Classic through the PGA Tour event ending May 3.

11. Play in the most recent Ryder Cup

All playing members of the USA and European Ryder Cup teams in 2025 will receive an invitation to play in the PGA Championship.

12. Win a PGA Tour event

All winners on the PGA Tour until the week before the 2026 PGA Championship will qualify.

13. The DP World Tour Asian Swing

If you are in the top three of the DP World Tour Asian Swing Rankings by May 3, you are eligible for the PGA Championship.

14. Receive an invite from the PGA of America

Those who do not meet any of the above criteria could still find themselves playing. The PGA of America has the right to invite any players if they see fit.

15. Hope the field isn’t full 

If the 156 places have not been filled, the remaining gaps will be filled with the players sitting outside of the top 70 from the PGA Championship points list.

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