Brooks Koepka Leads LIV Squad to 2024 PGA Championship

The 2024 PGA Championship is set to be a thrilling event, with an exciting twist this year. The tournament has extended invitations to several LIV Golf players, marking a significant increase in their representation. This year, a total of 16 LIV Golf players will be participating, promising a diverse and competitive field. An invitation was also extended to Louis Oosthuizen. However, this was declined by the latter due to “undisclosed personal circumstances”. 

Let’s take a closer look at these talented golfers, focusing on their current level of play.

The LIV Golf Contenders at the PGA Championship

There is no shortage of talent in the LIV Army. Several major champions will be in attendance, along with some of the hottest players in world golf right now.

1- Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka will look to successfully defend his title at Valhalla Golf Club to join Tiger Woods as the only two players to have done so twice in their careers (during the stroke play era). Koepka is a 5-time major champion and four-time LIV Golf champion, most recently a week ago in Singapore.

2- Dean Burmester

Dean Burmester has made a name for himself in the LIV Golf League. His career highlights include winning the 2015 Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open and the 2017 Tshwane Open. In April 2024, he claimed his first title on the LIV Golf League by beating Sergio García on the second play-off hole at the LIV Golf Miami event.

Earlier in the season he claimed two DP World Tour titles in back-to-back weekends. His best finish at the PGA Championship was 54th place in 2023. 

3- Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau has had a remarkable career. Known as “The Scientist”, DeChambeau has had a whirlwind of a career so far, full of controversy. He has won six times on the PGA Tour, including the 2020 U.S. Open. His best PGA Championship finish was tied for 4th in 2020 and 2023. His recent performances have been marked by consistency, with a top-10 finish at the 2023 Masters Tournament. 

4- Talor Gooch

Talor Gooch has been making waves in the LIV Golf League with three wins in 2023, when he also won the season’s individual title. Gooch was one of seven LIV players to receive a special invitation to the PGA Championship, as we reported here. He did not win in 2024, but had several good finishes.

5- Tyrrell Hatton

Tyrrell Hatton has been a dominant player on the European Tour and the PGA Tour over the last few years. Hatton has won several tournaments on the European Tour, including the 2017 BMW PGA Championship. His best PGA Championship finish was tied for 10th in 2016 and 2018. He has had good finishes so far in 2024, his first season in LIV Golf.

6- Lucas Herbert

Lucas Herbert has won three times on the European Tour and once on the PGA Tour (2021 Butterfield Bermuda Championship). In 2024, he joined the LIV Golf League and played on the Rippers GC team. His best PGA Championship finish was tied for 13th in 2022. 

7- Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson has won more tha 20 tournaments on the PGA Tour, including the 2020 FedEx Cup, the 2016 U.S. Open and the 2020 Masters Tournament. His best PGA Championship finish was 2nd in 2019 and tied for 2nd in 2020. He won the LIV Golf Las Vegas, the second tournament of the 2024 season.

8- Martin Kaymer

Martin Kaymer has won two major championships, the 2010 PGA Championship and the 2014 U.S. Open. He has played on the European Tour and the PGA Tour, winning six times on the former. His path on the LIV Golf has not been entirely successful, with only 3 Top 15s as his best results in 24 tournaments.

9- Adrian Meronk

Adrian Meronk has had a steady career, with his best finish at the PGA Championship being T-40 in 2023. Meronk has won several tournaments on the European Tour, and was named the circuit’s PLayer of the Year in 2023. He moved to LIV Golf starting 2024, and has two Top 10s as best results.

10- Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson doesn’t need much introduction. Lefty has won 45 events on the PGA Tour, including six major championships: three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021), and one Open Championship (2013). His performance at the 2024 LIV Golf season includes one Top 10 in seven events.

11- Joaquin Niemann

Joaquin Niemann has been the best player on the LIV Golf circuit during the current season, with two victories and three other Top 10s in seven events. Additionally, he won the Australian Open and has had other good performances in the DP World Tour and the Asian Tour. This earned him an invitation to The Masters and also to the PGA Championship.

12- Andy Ogletree

Andy Ogletree owes his presence in the PGA Championship to his performance in the 2023 International Series of the Asian Tour, where he was champion. This gave him the necessary points to finish in the Top 3 of the new Federation Ranking. During 2024, Ogletree has played seven LIV Golf tournaments with a Top 10.

13- David Puig

David Puig is one of the young players that the golf world follows most closely. The Spaniard has already won during 2024 in the Asian Tour, while in LIV Golf he has two Top 20 as best results.

14- Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm is one of the main stars of world golf and LIV Golf. In the breakaway league he has not achieved a victory yet, but he has finished in seven Top 15s, including six Top 10s. His best result was finishing third at Mayakoba.

15- Patrick Reed

2018 Masters Champion Patrick Reed is another of LIV Golf’s leading lights who has lacked an individual victory on the circuit. His performance in 2024 includes two Top 15s as his best result.

16- Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith is one of only four players with three wins or more in LIV Golf. During the current season he has had a relevant role leading his team Rippers GC to several good performances, including two victories. Individually, his best results include three Top 10s, with a second place finish in Singapore just two weeks before the PGA Championship.