15 May 2024 , 07:00
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The second major of the 2024 golf season has arrived in the form of the PGA Championship, which takes place at Valhalla this week - and there will be 16 LIV Golf stars in the field.
The 106th PGA Championship tees off on Thursday, with a number of the world ’s best golfers looking to win and add a major title to their resume. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the favorite after winning The Masters last month, but Rory McIlroy earned plaudits for his stunning Wells Fargo Championship victory last weekend.
While Scheffler and McIlroy are two contenders who are stalwarts of the PGA Tour, there will be plenty of LIV Golf representation in Louisville, Kentucky. Following three-time champion Brooks Koepka ’s PGA Championship win last year, there will be 16 LIV Golf players in action this week - including the five-time major winner Koepka.
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As the defending champion, Koepka will look to reclaim his crown - and join Tiger Woods as a four-time PGA champion - as the American has been in scintillating form recently, winning LIV Golf Singapore last time out. He is joined by a pair of past champions of the major, with Phil Mickelson, who has been paired with Woods, and Martin Kaymer also competing.
Back at the 2021 PGA Championship, Mickelson made history as he became the oldest major winner at age 50. The popular American will be desperate to re-produce more magic this week.
The likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Jon Rahm are all set to compete in the PGA Championship after winning majors in recent years. DeChambeau won the 2020 U.S. Open title, Smith hoisted the 2022 Open, while Johnson and Rahm clinched the 2020 and 2023 Masters titles respectively. The Spaniard also won the 2021 U.S. Open title.
Jon Rahm made a blockbuster switch to LIV Golf from the PGA Tour back in December (Getty Images)Recent LIV Golf defectee and Ryder Cup winner Tyrrell Hatton will be in the field this week. He secured his spot after finishing in the top 15 in the 2023 PGA Championship, as well as his victorious Ryder Cup campaign.
Many LIV Golf stars have secured spots in the PGA Championship field thanks to special invites. Former Masters champion Patrick Reed is joined by 2023 LIV Golf individual champion Talor Gooch, Dean Burmester, Lucas Herbert, Adrian Meronk, David Puig, and Joaquin Niemann - who has won two LIV Golf events in 2024 to stand as the Individual standings leader.
Finally, Andy Ogletree is set to make his PGA Championship debut after earning an invite via International Federation ranking. The American finished atop the 2023 International Series standings on the Asian Tour.
The 2024 PGA Championship is set to tee off on Thursday 16 May and will run through Sunday 19 May.