Can Golfers Play in LIV and PGA?

One of the most common questions I receive is whether LIV Golf players can participate in PGA Tour events.

Yes, golfers can play in both the LIV and PGA. The PGA of America has announced that any player who qualifies through their exemptions, including players who have jumped to LIV, will be eligible to compete in the PGA Championship. The R&A and USGA have also announced that their respective men’s majors in 2023 will be open to LIV Golf players.

It’s no secret that the golf world has been shaken up by the emergence of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, which has signed numerous big-name players away from the PGA Tour. 

Many golf fans wonder how this will affect the players’ ability to participate in the sport’s most significant events, including the Majors. 

One can’t help but wonder how the emergence of the LIV Golf league will affect some of the oldest golf courses in America where the most significant events are held.

This article will explore the current state of affairs concerning LIV Golfers playing in PGA Tour events and the Majors.

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf

The PGA Tour has long been the best professional golf circuit in the world. Still, LIV Golf is making waves by luring some of golf’s biggest 3 wood hitting stars away with big-money contracts.

The ban on LIV Golfers playing in PGA Tour events results from a dispute between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The PGA Tour has an official policy that requires all members to only participate in tournaments sanctioned by the PGA Tour. 

On the other hand, LIV Golf is an independent golf tour that the PGA Tour does not recognize. This designation means that any player who signs up to play in LIV Golf events risks losing their PGA Tour membership and their eligibility to play in PGA Tour-sanctioned events.

In response, LIV Golf has offered significant financial incentives to top golfers, leading to several high-profile defections from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf.

However, this has not changed the PGA Tour’s stance on banning LIV golfers from PGA Tour events.

The ban has significant implications for LIV Golfers, as the PGA Tour hosts some of the most lucrative tournaments in professional golf, such as the Players Championship, the FedEx Cup, and the WGC events. 

Without the ability to play in these events, LIV Golfers may struggle to earn the same recognition and financial rewards as their peers on the PGA Tour.

LIV Golfers and the Majors

Despite the ban on LIV Golfers playing in PGA Tour events, they are still eligible to play in the Majors if they meet the qualifying criteria. 

The PGA of America, which runs the PGA Championship, announced that any player who qualifies through its exemptions would be eligible to compete in the tournament. These exemptions include past PGA Championship winners who have jumped to LIV, winners of the other major championships the past five years, and winners of the Players Championship the past three years.

Similarly, the USGA, which oversees the US Open, announced that LIV Golfers would be allowed to play in the tournament if they meet the qualifying criteria. 

The R&A, which runs The Open Championship, also announced that LIV Golfers would remain eligible to play in the tournament.

It’s worth noting that the exemption only applies to LIV Golfers who meet the qualifying criteria. They still have to earn their spot in the tournament through performance or exemption, just like any other golfer. 

However, this exemption is a significant development, given the prestige and importance of these tournaments. 

As the legal battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact the future of professional golf and its significant events.

LIV Golfers Who Qualify For This Year’s Majors

LIV Golf players are eligible to play in all four men’s majors in 2023 if they meet the qualifying criteria.. 

Here is a list of LIV golfers who qualify for the 2023 Major Championships:

• Phil Mickelson
• Brooks Koepka
• Martin Kaymer
• Abraham Ancer
• Joaquin Niemann
• Mito Pereira
• Brendan Steele
• Dustin Johnson
• Sergio Garcia
• Henrik Stenson
• Shane Lowry
• Tom Lewis
• Patrick Reed
• Charl Schwartzel
• Danny Willett
• Bubba Watson
• Louis Oosthuizen
• Cameron Smith

The Battle Between the PGA and LIV Continues

The division between the PGA Tour and the upstart LIV Golf league has caused quite a stir in professional golf. 

LIV Golfers are banned from playing in PGA Tour events. However, they are still eligible to compete in the most prestigious tournaments in golf, the Majors. 

The PGA of America, which runs the PGA Championship, and the USGA, which oversees the US Open, have announced that LIV Golfers can play in their respective tournaments if they meet the qualifying criteria. 

While LIV Golfers have been granted permission to play in the Majors, it remains to be seen how the ongoing legal battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will affect the future of golf and its major events.