In a significant move, the PGA of America has declared that players signed to the LIV Golf circuit will be allowed to participate in the prestigious PGA Championship and be eligible for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. This announcement, made on Thursday, signifies a shift in the ongoing saga between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
The PGA of America, in a statement released on social media, stated that their decision was driven by the desire to maintain the highest level of competition in both events. The statement read, “To ensure the PGA Championship will continue to deliver the strongest field in golf and the U.S. Ryder Cup team will continue to have access to the best American players, the PGA of America board has determined that LIV Golf players will be eligible for both.”
The statement further clarified that all LIV Golf players are now eligible for the PGA Championship, and any American player qualifying for the Ryder Cup through points or a captain’s pick is eligible to compete. This decision aligns with LIV Golf players’ participation in the PGA Championship over the past two years.
This decision holds particular relevance for players like Brooks Koepka, who competed in the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup under a grace period that allowed him to retain his PGA of America membership despite joining LIV. Additionally, Bryson DeChambeau, winner of the 2024 U.S. Open, is currently third on the 2025 Ryder Cup points list, making him a strong contender for automatic qualification.
The next PGA Championship is scheduled for May 15-18 at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The United States will host the 2025 Ryder Cup at the Bethpage Black Course on New York’s Long Island next September. It is worth noting that LIV Golf members from Europe must compete in four DP World Tour events within a single season to be eligible for their Ryder Cup team.
This move by the PGA of America is likely to further intensify the ongoing debate surrounding the future of professional golf, with LIV Golf’s growing influence adding a new dimension to the landscape. This decision has the potential to reshape the dynamics of both the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup, leading to a more diverse and potentially even more competitive field.
