Full Breakdown
2026 PGA Championship Field: LIV Golf Defections and Notable Absences
5/6/2026, 8:43:34 AM
Field Overview: Key Absences and Lifetime Exemptions
The PGA Championship will be held May 14-17, 2026 at Aronimink Golf Club. Sources list field as 154 or 156 players; 125 qualified May 4. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have exemptions; Woods, arrested on suspicion of DUI, entered treatment in Switzerland and did not play a major since 2024 British Open. Mickelson withdrew for a family health matter and played LIV Golf event this season.
Special Invitations: Dustin Johnson and Other LIV Golf Entrants
The PGA of America issued 33 invitations, to players. Dustin Johnson received an exemption, extending his streak to 69 majors. Invites also went to Ian Holt (Korn Ferry Tour leader), Kota Kaneko of Japan, and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald. Two spots are held for Truist and ONEFlight Myrtle Beach Classic winners if not qualified; alternates include Max Homa and Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Canada. PGA points list, using Tour earnings, fills the field beyond top 70. Scottie Scheffler is confirmed.
Official Statements & Responses
The PGA of America announced field on May 5, noting former champions, special invitees and two spots. It confirmed Johnson’s invitation aimed to preserve competitive balance. Mickelson withdrew for a family health matter; Woods announced a hiatus to treat. The PGA points system and alternates will finalize the roster.
Criticism & Opposition
Observers have described the PGA Championship committee as the “least transparent” in field selection, noting the surprise surrounding Johnson’s invitation despite his low ranking. Critics argue that discretionary invites to LIV Golf players may undermine merit-based qualification and call for clearer criteria.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on field size: KSL reports a 154-player field; Golfweek cites a 156-player roster. The number of qualified players is reported as 125 in one source and 154 in another. No public clarification has been issued.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I want to play in all the majors. I feel like my game is still good enough to compete with everyone and still can win. The PGA was nice enough to give me an invitation. So yeah, I'm very, very happy and thankful for that.” — Dustin Johnson, LIV Golf captain
- “I just want to be really sensitive,” — Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf CEO
- “I have a lot of love and respect for him as a human being, and certainly have respect for him for what he's accomplished in his career.” — Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf CEO
- “He carries a ton of weight in every room he walks.” — Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf CEO
What’s Next
The Truist Championship and ONEFlight Myrtle Beach Classic run May 7-10; their winners will fill the remaining spots. PGA Championship field will be finalized before the May 14 opening round at Aronimink, where invited players, including defending champion Scottie Scheffler, will compete.
