Talor Gooch among 6 LIV players invited to PGA Championship

Talor Gooch continues to make headlines in the golf world, although this time it was not for any of the explosive statements he has made in the recent past. The 2023 LIV Golf player of the year announced on social media that he had received an invitation from the PGA of America to compete in the PGA Championship.

This invitation comes despite Talor Gooch’s recent comments suggesting that a victory by Rory McIlroy at the Masters would come with an “asterisk” due to the absence of some of the world’s best players. The news has generated a major buzz within the golfing community, as it marks a significant milestone for LIV players in their quest to participate in major tournaments.

The significance of this invitation lies in the fact that Talor Gooch has not really played outside of LIV Golf for the past two seasons. His invitation was based purely on his performance in the Saudi-funded league. Talor Gooch won three times on LIV Golf last year and won its points list.

Talor Gooch’s journey to the PGA Championship has been a remarkable one. Despite joining LIV, which does not qualify for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, Gooch has managed to make a name for himself in the golfing world. He has been among the more outspoken players in LIV, once comparing a team victory to the Ryder Cup.

Talor Gooch has participated in four previous editions of the PGA Championship. He has made two cuts and his best result was a T20 finish in 2022. His performance in majors includes seven other participations with five cuts passed and a T14 in The Masters 2022 as his best result.

In 27 tournaments played at LIV Golf, Talor Gooch has won three tournaments, all in 2023. He has also posted nine other top 10s. In 2023 he won the season’s individual title.

Talor Gooch was not alone

Talor Gooch was not the only LIV Golf player contacted by the PGA, as five of his colleagues were also invited this monday, May 5. They are Patrick Reed, Dean Burmester, Lucas Herbert, Adrian Meronk and David Puig.

The 22-year-old Spanish golfer, David Puig, is one of the youngest players on the league, and has been making waves with his consistent and stellar performances on the Asian Tour, which have seen him rise to a world ranking of 105.

David Puig has only one previous experience in majors, when he participated in the 2023 US Open. There he made the cut and finished T39.

In 23 tournaments played in LIV Golf he has two Top 10s. His best result was finishing 4th in the 2023 LIV Golf Greenbrier.

In parallel, David Puig has been participating in Asian Tour tournaments, trying to climb in the OWGR. During 2024 he has participated in four events, with a victory in the Malaysian Open and a second place in the International Series Macau. In addition, he finished fifth in the Saudi Open and 10th in the International Series Oman.

Burmester has enjoyed his best game during the 2024 season. The South African won two tournaments on the DP World Tour and one in LIV Golf. Meronk, meanwhile, has not been brilliant so far in 2024, but he was the Player Of The Year on the DP World Tour in 2023 and won his PGA Tour card, which he later lost when he signed with LIV Golf.

Reed is one of the stars of LIV Golf. He has not won, but has finished in eight Top 10s in 26 tournaments played, including two second-place finishes. As for Herbert, he has only played seven tournaments in the league, with a 15th place finish as his best result. However, he has twice won the team title with the Rippers GC. In addition Herbert is in the OWGR Top 100 thanks to his performance in the DP World Tour until last season.

Joaquin Niemann had also received a special invitation to play in the PGA Championship in early March. For this reason, the list of LIV players who will play in the second major of the season includes 15 players. The list is completed by Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton, Cam Smith and Martin Kaymer.

LIV player’s invitation is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, with the latter being viewed by many as a direct competitor to the established tour. The inclusion of LIV players in the PGA Championship field suggests a willingness to bridge the divide and provide opportunities for all deserving golfers, regardless of their affiliations.

Moreover, the invitations could pave the way for other LIV golfers to gain access to major championships.

Ultimately, the invitations extended to LIV players represent a significant step forward in the integration of LIV Golf into the mainstream of the sport. As the battle for supremacy continues, the PGA Championship will provide a platform for these players to showcase their talents and potentially make a lasting impact on the golfing world.