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LIV Golf star with $166million earnings receives surprise late PGA Championship invite to keep streak alive
Dustin Johnson has been handed a Major lifeline by receiving a surprise invite to play the upcoming PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. The former world No.1 hasn’t missed one of the four premier events since 2017 but as of Rory McIlroy’s triumph in Augusta, he no longer has a guaranteed entry into the majors thanks to his 2020 Masters victory. AFPJohnson has looked a shadow of his former self this season[/caption] Johnson’s form has slumped in LIV Golf this year and he didn’t even come close to earning another exemption at The Masters this year as he failed to make the weekend with two rounds in the 70s. With LIV events still not recognised by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system, that put his eight-year Major run in serious jeopardy ahead of the 2025 PGA Championship. But Johnson, who boasts career earnings of around $166million, has been handed a special invitation to play by the PGA of America. The two-time Major winner — who has finished runner-up twice in the tournament — has only cracked the top five once in LIV this season. Fans were not all best pleased at the 40-year-old’s inclusion. “Doesn’t deserve it… earn it with good play,” wrote one. “A mercy invite,” added another. “Field filler, will be a non factor if he even makes the cut,” insisted a third. With Joaquin Niemann, David Puig, Tom McKibbin, Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed also being granted exemptions, there seems to be a concerted push to include LIV stars in the Championship. Despite his struggles, Johnson insists his game isn’t far off. Johnson received a Green Jacket from Tiger Woods in 2020Getty He was one of the first massive stars to jump ship for LIVAFP “I’m playing better than I scored for sure. Didn’t score very well,” he said after his second round at Augusta. “Yeah, tough finish there. Played pretty solid all day until the last two holes. Golf is a funny game, as I did today, shooting one over. You play the same round and shoot four, five under. “Just a couple of putts here and there drop and gives you a little momentum, a little confidence, [and] it’s a different day.” In two LIV outings since The Masters, Johnson has finished in ties for seventh and 34th. The last Major he failed to play in was at Augusta in 2017 when he was forced to pull out after slipping in his rental home before the tournament. Masters champion McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, who is coming in off the back of a PGA Tour record score of 31-under, are the joint-favourites ahead of LIV superstar Bryson DeChambeau. Other notable names to be handed PGA of America invites include Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland, Cameron Young, Will Zalatoris and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald. The 2025 PGA Championship will get underway at Quail Hollow on May 15.
Dustin Johnson has been handed a Major lifeline by receiving a surprise invite to play the upcoming PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
The former world No.1 hasn’t missed one of the four premier events since 2017 but as of Rory McIlroy’s triumph in Augusta, he no longer has a guaranteed entry into the majors thanks to his 2020 Masters victory.
Johnson’s form has slumped in LIV Golf this year and he didn’t even come close to earning another exemption at The Masters this year as he failed to make the weekend with two rounds in the 70s.
With LIV events still not recognised by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system, that put his eight-year Major run in serious jeopardy ahead of the 2025 PGA Championship.
But Johnson, who boasts career earnings of around $166million, has been handed a special invitation to play by the PGA of America.
The two-time Major winner — who has finished runner-up twice in the tournament — has only cracked the top five once in LIV this season.
Fans were not all best pleased at the 40-year-old’s inclusion.
“Doesn’t deserve it… earn it with good play,” wrote one.
“A mercy invite,” added another.
“Field filler, will be a non factor if he even makes the cut,” insisted a third.
With Joaquin Niemann, David Puig, Tom McKibbin, Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed also being granted exemptions, there seems to be a concerted push to include LIV stars in the Championship.
Despite his struggles, Johnson insists his game isn’t far off.
“I’m playing better than I scored for sure. Didn’t score very well,” he said after his second round at Augusta.
“Yeah, tough finish there. Played pretty solid all day until the last two holes. Golf is a funny game, as I did today, shooting one over. You play the same round and shoot four, five under.
“Just a couple of putts here and there drop and gives you a little momentum, a little confidence, [and] it’s a different day.”
In two LIV outings since The Masters, Johnson has finished in ties for seventh and 34th.
The last Major he failed to play in was at Augusta in 2017 when he was forced to pull out after slipping in his rental home before the tournament.
Masters champion McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, who is coming in off the back of a PGA Tour record score of 31-under, are the joint-favourites ahead of LIV superstar Bryson DeChambeau.
Other notable names to be handed PGA of America invites include Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland, Cameron Young, Will Zalatoris and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.
The 2025 PGA Championship will get underway at Quail Hollow on May 15.
