Why is there controversy about PGA Championship invitation for LIV Golf’s Talor Gooch? What consequences could there be?

“We have the ability to kind of lean in and really pick the best field in golf, and that’s never been, frankly, more important than it is right now.” These were the words of Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, when describing the situation created after Talor Gooch, the golfer from Oklahoma, received an invitation for the upcoming PGA Championship. Gooch is a member of the breakaway LIV Golf tour and became the 16th invited player from the group.

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Talor Gooch didn’t meet PGA qualification terms

Well, practically, and in simple terms, Gooch didn’t merit an invitation in the first place, according to the qualification criteria and his past results. On top of that, he is playing on the tour where more established stars, like majors winner Jon Rahm, is regularly targeted by some media for appearances in PGA comPetitions. The Spanish player was most recently highlighted by Golf journalists Eamon Lynch and Aaron Oberholser during the pre-tournament show on the Golf Channel, using some very strong terms about his participation.

Why was Talor Gooch invited to 2024 PGA Championship?

The concern that some have, especially those closely connected with the PGA, is that Waugh’s words about flexibility and picking talent unequivocally could be interpreted as a way of starting to recognize LIV Golf’s talent and players’ results from that pool, something unimaginable a year ago. Gooch, a decent PGA golfer with one title under his belt, 668th in the world ranking, has been a LIV golf player since 2022. He has entered only two tournaments outside LIV since the Open last July and withdrew from one of those.

Gooch is at Valhalla because he led the LIV Golf’s points list in 2023. The only member of the top 5 on LIV’s 2024 list not here is Louis Oosthuizen. He was also invited but declined.

The PGA of America may be sending a message to the PGA Tour by granting Gooch entrance at Valhalla. The national organization is tired of the ongoing issues and wants to see a resolution. The decision to invite Gooch may, along with other factors, have an impact on the where golf’s structural situation goes next. But, most likely, the controversy will continue this weekend and for the foreseeable.