Will LIV golfers be allowed to compete in the 2023 PGA Championship?
Despite the ongoing feud between golf’s two major bodies, it seems the PGA has relented in that LIV Golf’s players will be allowed on tour in 2023.
From sanctions, to arbitration, to bitter spats between golfers and back again, the fight between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has been anything but nice. None the less, it appears the former has relented in that players from the latter will be allowed on tour this season.
LIV Golf players can compete on PGA Tour in 2023
According to a statement from PGA of America about the eligibility requirements for the 2023 PGA Championship, LIV Golf players will in fact be “able to compete at all four men’s majors this year.” Indeed, the news comes “despite past signals about LIV defectors possibly being prohibited from competing in the tournament.” Of course, prior to the decision, the championship’s bylaws “required players to be PGA of America members in order to play in the PGA Championship,” which in turn was something that they would “gain through their membership on the PGA Tour.”
Whether they say it publicly or not some of the happiest people in the world about LIV Golf's massive success are PGA Tour players. Food for thought LIV haters. https://t.co/JqwyYlU4Bn
— LIV Golf Enthusiast (@MaddenMonopoly) April 28, 2023
Do recall, that PGA of America CEO, Seth Waugh, had previously stated that those “who were banned or suspended by the tour would likely lose their PGA of America privileges, keeping them out of the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup.” Adding further fuel to that fire, is the fact that just last may Waugh doubled down by stating that those comments “still stand.” Yet, as we’ve now seen, there are a number of past PGA Championship winners who have moved to LIV and are in line to “receive an invite to this year’s PGA, along with winners of the other major championships the past five years and winners of the Players Championship the past three years.” To that end, recent LIV acquisitions such as Mito Periera and Brendan Steele will “likewise be in the field by finishing in the top 15 at last year’s championship.”
The PGA appears to be seeking unity
Perhaps one of the most interesting takes on the reversal of course by the PGA, is that of Gabrielle Herzig of Sports Illustrate who noted that Waugh “acknowledged the ongoing PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf divide,” but reiterated that the PGA Championship’s goal is to “put on a competitive tournament with an appropriately strong field. ...Sadly, the current division in the professional game is not good for the sport or the future of the game. We hope there might be some resolution soon.”