• Dustin Johnson, a LIV Golf member, received a special invitation to the 2025 PGA Championship.
• Sixteen LIV Golf members will participate in the PGA Championship, the same number as the previous year.
• Rickie Fowler also received a special exemption, while Tiger Woods is not participating due to injury.

Dustin Johnson, despite his move to LIV Golf and subsequent drop in world rankings, has been granted a special exemption to compete in the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. This decision by the PGA of America ensures his participation in the major tournament alongside other LIV Golf members and top PGA Tour players. The championship, scheduled for May 15-18, will feature defending champion Xander Schauffele and other notable golfers, setting the stage for a competitive event.

• What: Dustin Johnson received a special exemption to participate in the 2025 PGA Championship. The field includes 16 LIV Golf members. Rickie Fowler also received a special invitation.
• Who: Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, PGA of America, LIV Golf members
• When: PGA Championship: May 15-18, 2025; Announcement: May 6, 2025
• Where: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina

The PGA of America's decision to grant Dustin Johnson a special exemption highlights the ongoing complexities of integrating LIV Golf members into major championships. While some major tournaments have established categories for LIV players, the PGA's approach involves special exemptions, allowing them to invite deserving players from any tour. This ensures that prominent golfers like Johnson, despite their lower world ranking due to playing on the LIV circuit, can still compete in prestigious events. The inclusion of 16 LIV Golf members underscores the significant presence of the Saudi-funded league in the world of professional golf.

"That's what we have done the last three years and continue to do so. We have that flexibility to be able to invite those players who are deserving from whichever tour."

Dustin Johnson's invitation highlights the PGA of America's inclusive approach, ensuring a competitive field at the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, commencing on May 15. This decision reflects a commitment to featuring top talent from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, as demonstrated by extending invitations to players like Sergio Garcia, Tom McKibbin, Joaquin Niemann, and David Puig. Despite Johnson's current lower ranking in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) at 751, his past achievements, including victories at the 2016 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters, coupled with runner-up finishes at the PGA Championship in 2019 and 2020, solidify his position as a noteworthy contender. The field includes 15 other LIV Golf players, such as Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson, promising a compelling face-off against PGA Tour stars like Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, and Rory McIlroy. Schauffele, the defending champion, seeks to replicate his Valhalla success. Scheffler, currently ranked No. 1, recently tied the PGA Tour record for the lowest 72-hole score at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, signaling strong form. McIlroy, after securing his first Masters title and completing a career Grand Slam, also enters as a favorite. Quail Hollow Club, known for its challenging 7,600-yard, par-71 layout, will test players' precision and skill. The course's demanding greens and strategically placed bunkers require a comprehensive game, potentially favoring players like Johnson, whose driving distance could offer an advantage. Ultimately, the tournament will reveal if Johnson and other LIV golfers can challenge the PGA Tour's top players for the Wanamaker Trophy.