A total of 16 LIV Golf pros graced the Valhalla Golf Club for the 2024 PGA Championship. Many of them did so due to the invitations they received from the PGA of America, while the rest qualified through previous major victories. The R&A sent only one special invite to Joaquin Niemann. Whereas, the PGA of America sent out five invitations to the players, which included, Niemann, Talor Gooch, Lucas Herbert, Dean Burmester, and David Puig.
After the 36-hole cut, the 16-player roster of LIV at the PGA Championship has come down to 11, with Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, and many others missing the 1 under cutline. However, the conclusion of the third round saw two LIV pros, Bryson DeChambeau and Burmester, inside the top 9. With the ‘Scientist’ at T4 and Burmester taking 9th place.
A dedicated page to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s hot take shared the stat on X about people saying that LIV golfers didn’t show up at the PGA Championship. They described that even though the defectors were 10% of the field, they still took 22% of the top 9. Which was 220% better. The post even highlighted the fact that Burmester became a part of the field due to a last-minute invitation and has utilized the opportunity to the fullest, playing exceptionally, despite receiving a last-minute invite. The tweet was aimed at arguing that LIV golfers needed better representation in majors since they cannot qualify through OWGR.
Not just at the PGA Championship, but even at the Masters, four LIV players were in the top 15. The tweet landed quite well for some golf fans, while others debated that the rebel league player didn’t deserve much more recognition than they already received.
Golf fans riled up over LIV Golf pros major representation
After the third round, Dean Burmester and Lucas Herbert are at 9th and T16th, respectively. They have better finishes than PGA Tour stars like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, who have found themselves at T19. A fan concluded that these two players finishing in the top 10 or better would impact the invitations for the upcoming two majors, the U.S. Open and The Open. They said, “We need Dean and/or Lucas to finish top 10. A last minute LIV invite finishing that high would be a total wake up call to the other majors.”
The top 9 stats were shared through the tweet and one user provided some more information. They pointed out how only 8 LIV Golf players were in the top 37, which was 8% of the field. Explaining further, they highlighted how every other pro in the field has to play better and went on to highlight DeChambeau’s performance at this season’s majors. At Master, the LIV Golfer put forth a commendable performance and is currently at T4 on the Valhalla leaderboard. The fan said, “3 out of top 37…8%. So you need a lot of upward movement from a lot of players otherwise you’re just going to be ridiculed for another embarrassing performance. By the time Bryson pulls a Bryson the LIV league will be a complete nonfactor in another major.”
Countering the opinion that LIV golfers deserved more representation in the majors, this viewer focused on the downside of the leaderboard and LIV players. They highlighted how only three golfers were there in the top 24, owing to a low percentage in the top position. The fan explained, “LIV players didn’t show up” LIV was 10% of the field, But 8% of the top 24 That’s 2% worse… LIV deserves less representation in majors.” Annoyed by the LIV golfer’s presence at the PGA Championship, a fan suggested that LIV golfers should not be a part of any of the majors. They took a dig at LIV Golf’s comparatively low event count and the massive prize money that the league boasts to promote golf internationally and stated,“LIV needs to go TF back to their once a month meetings and enjoy their cash and “world wide” golf. They add nothing to majors.”
Unlike many who believed that LIV golfers shouldn’t be given more recognition than already are, this user was all in for a huge Sunday showdown. Despite a low number of LIV golfers on the field, they stated that they indeed played better, and even if they were not fans of the PIF-funded league, the face-off would surely be entertaining. “I’m not a LIV guy but they show out. Let’s have a great Sunday!!!”
With LIV Golf pros playing better at the majors, will the U.S. Open and The British Open invite more golfers from the disruptive league? It remains to be seen.
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