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Golf fans everywhere will be thrilled to learn that the PGA of America has announced that players from the LIV circuit will be allowed to compete in the upcoming 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Rochester, NY as well as the other 3 majors throughout 2023.
This marks a major shift in policy, as the championship’s bylaws previously required players to be members of the PGA Tour in order to participate. Now, any player who qualifies through the PGA of America’s exempt categories will be eligible to compete, including past PGA Championship winners who have jumped to LIV and winners of other major championships and the Players Championship in recent years.
This announcement is significant for a number of reasons. For one thing, it means that fans will have the opportunity to see some of the world’s best golfers compete against each other on one of the sport’s biggest stages. LIV has attracted a number of high-profile players in recent years, including Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer, so the prospect of seeing them compete in the PGA Championship is sure to generate excitement.
Of course, not everyone will be happy with this decision. Some may argue that the PGA of America is selling out to the LIV and putting profits ahead of principles. Others may worry that the inclusion of LIV golfers will somehow diminish the prestige of the PGA Championship.
While no one at the PGA would ever confess to it, this decision indicates that they made a mistake in their initial response to the rise of LIV Golf. By drawing a line in the sand they put themselves in an awkward position losing leverage and ultimately landing in the position they are in now. Had they attempted to work something out together from the start it likely would have worked out better for them in the long run.
