9 big names missing from the PGA Championship

The PGA Championship prides itself on hosting the best field in golf.

That is why at this year’s renewal at Valhalla, the PGA of America has extended seven invites to otherwise ineligible LIV Golf players.

The 156-strong field has now been assembled and includes 33 major champions, 16 of which have lifted the Wanamaker trophy.

However, for various reasons, there are still some big name golfers missing out on the second major of the season.

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Here’s some of those that won’t be teeing it up at Valhalla…

Louis Oosthuizen

Oosthuizen’s name sticks out on this list because he may be the only one who has actually turned down the chance to play. The 2010 Open champion’s name was conspicuous by its absence on the invite list after it was decided LIV players were being welcomed to peg it up. But, as reported by the Associated Press writer Doug Ferguson, Oosthuizen declined the PGA of America’s invite to compete.

Sergio Garcia

The Spaniard is among the 35 LIV players who will attempt Final Qualifying for the US Open, but he has missed out on another tilt at the Wanamaker trophy here. Garcia, who has two runner-up finishes in this tournament, did not receive an invite despite losing out on two playoffs at LIV this season.

Bubba Watson

Watson famously lost out on a three-hole playoff to Martin Kaymer in the 2010 edition at Whistling Straits. The 45-year-old’s best finish at LIV this season was a tie for 15th in Las Vegas and he missed the cut in last month’s Masters.

Zach Johnson

Luke Donald has received an invite to this major from the PGA of America as a current Ryder Cup captain, but Johnson can no longer enjoy that luxury as officials continue their wait to appoint their next skipper for Bethpage Black. Johnson finished T20 at this year’s Masters, but his tournament will be better remembered for a controversy involving a foul-mouthed rant on the par-3 12th.

Abraham Ancer

Ancer might feel unlucky that he wasn’t handed one of the PGA of America’s invites. The Mexican is sixth in the LIV standings this season having won in Hong Kong. He finished inside the top ten in this event in 2021 and 2022, but missed the cut last year and won’t be teeing it up at Valhalla.

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Thomas Pieters

The Belgian’s slide into oblivion continues. Pieters, now the world No.462, has struggled for results ever since ditching the DP World Tour for the LIV circuit and is no longer eligible for the sport’s career-defining events.

Mito Pereira

The Chilean was one hole away from sealing a lifetime exemption to the PGA Championship as a past champion. But Pereira’s capitulation on the final hole at Southern Hills in 2022 and his subsequent move to LIV has left him with no guarantees of any major berths.

Webb Simpson

Much has been made of Simpson’s invites to the PGA Tour’s Signature Events as a player director on the circuit, but it’s no surprise that the former US Open champion hasn’t been extended the same gratitude by the PGA of America. While he may play a critical role in golf’s future, the world No.227 appears to be past his best on the course.

Paul Casey

Seth Waugh handed Casey a surprise invite last year. “I would put the criterion as ‘good for our event’ because he’s someone who has contributed to the game in a positive way,” the PGA chief executive said. However, the Englishman cited injury for a late withdrawal. The last major Casey competed in was The 2022 Open.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.