LIV Golf star calls for ‘deserved’ pathway into majors

A total of 16 LIV golfers are in action at this week’s PGA Championship, after seven were handed an invite to compete at Valhalla.

Among those in Louisville, Kentucky, is Talor Gooch, who emerged as the Saudi-backed circuit’s individual champion last year.

The American was joined by the likes of Joaquin Niemann and Patrick Reed in earning special exemptions for the second major championship of the year.

Other majors look likely to follow suit, and potentially not just in the form of invitations. Last week, USGA chief Mike Whan hinted at a special LIV criterion being introduced in the future.

He told Golfweek that he can ‘envision a pathway’ into America’s national open, whilst admitting discussions had taken place over the possibility.

And after recognising the PGA Championship has taken “a step in the right direction”, LIV Golf’s David Puig has called for that direct route to help his colleagues.

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“I would like to see a pathway for LIV golfers to get into the majors,” he told the Mirror. “I think it is important, and there are a lot of LIV golfers that deserve to be playing majors.

“Right now, it is a little tough still but hopefully they find the solution soon.”

The Spaniard already has an Open Championship berth secured after winning the IRS Malaysian Open on the Asian Tour. It was part of the Open’s Qualifying Series.

But Puig added that the pathway would be just reward for players like Gooch, who ‘deserved’ their place in the field this week.

“I think recognising the LIV players is good,” he said. “Talor Gooch deserved it and so did Dean Burmester among others.

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“I think it is a good step in the right direction for LIV, and hopefully the other majors can do the same and see both Tours come together.”

LIV remains without backing from the OWGR, despite the rankings body adding the Clutch Pro Tour and Tartan Pro Tour to its ranking systems in recent weeks.

The focus for Puig has remained on the course, though, as he attributed his early success this season to the Asian Tour.

“Obviously winning the first event of the year in Malaysia helped me a lot to climb those rankings,” Puig explained.

“If I’m very honest, at the beginning of the year I didn’t think the PGA was an option because of my schedule.

“I’m super excited that all this travel has paid off with good results here on The International Series and Asian Tour.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.