The PGA of America on Wednesday announced a new exemption category for the upcoming PGA Championship in May, adding the top three players from the International Federation Ranking List to the field.
The International Federation Ranking List ranks players on the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and the Sunshine Tour. The list was announced last month by the governing board of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
The top three players on the list as of April 24 will be invited to play at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y., May 18-21.
“This new category will help identify current or emerging international players who may not yet have had the opportunity to showcase their talents in the cauldron of a Major Championship setting,” PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said in a release.
In a nod to LIV Golf, the PGA also said it “reserves the right to invite additional players not included in the categories … in pursuit of our annual goal to deliver the strongest field in golf.”
“Our decisions are always based on what’s in the best interest of the PGA of America and conducting the best Championship possible,” Waugh’s statement went on. “Sadly the current division in the professional game is not good for the sport or the future of the game. We hope there might be some resolution soon.”
The 156-player field will be announced May 10.
–Field Level Media