Who are the LIV players in the PGA Championship?
There is a healthy group of former major champions in the LIV Golf League that are eligible for this week’s PGA Championship, but more have been extended invitations too…
Golf’s four major championships are the only occasions where fans can watch PGA Tour and DP World Tour players compete with those who left for the LIV Golf League.
Several past major champions have joined the Saudi-funded league since its inception in June 2022 and their successes allow them to compete in the sport’s big four occasions despite playing on a circuit that doesn’t permit Official World Golf Ranking points.
With LIV’s 54-man roster unable to ascend the rankings following the league’s application rejection in October, some of them have attempted to build ranking points on other tours in pursuit of major spots.
Joaquin Niemann was invited to the Masters based on his performances on the DP World Tour, and the Chilean is one of a handful of LIV players to receive an invitation to the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Being invited by the PGA of America is one way of earning a start at the PGA Championship, which is the way in which some LIV players have found their way in.
But the likes of Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Martin Kaymer can sleep soundly knowing they can play in this event for as long as they like as previous winners of the Wanamaker Trophy.
Clamour has often been raised by LIV Golf players who believe the majors haven’t got on board with the start-up circuit, one being Talor Glooch who revealed earlier this year that he wouldn’t be attempting local qualifying for The Open or the US Open.
However, he has been invited to play in Louisville this week. So let’s see which of his colleagues will be joining him:
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Brooks Koepka
Phil Mickelson
Martin Kaymer
Joaquin Niemann
Adrian Meronk
David Puig
Talor Gooch
Patrick Reed
Dean Burmester
Lucas Herbert
Andy Ogletree
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spoken to the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Henrik Stenson, to name just a few.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
