We’re just one week out from one of golf’s crown jewel events, and the buzz is real. The 2025 PGA Championship is headed to Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the nearly-final 156-player field is shaping up to be a blockbuster. Legends, surprises, and a few eyebrow-raising exclusions—it’s all happening and happening fast.
Past Champs, Rising Stars, and One Notable Absence
Let’s start with the big names: fourteen past champions are back in the mix, including the reigning king himself, Xander Schauffele, who scorched Valhalla last year with a final-round 65 to edge out Bryson DeChambeau by one shot. That win landed him the coveted Wanamaker Trophy, and he’s looking sharp heading into Quail Hollow.
Also making waves again is Justin Thomas, the 2017 champ, the last time this major hit Charlotte. But not everyone’s joining the party—John Daly will be absent for just the second time since his unforgettable win in 1991. And then there’s Tiger Woods, still sidelined as he continues to rehab following Achilles tendon surgery. His presence will be missed, no doubt.
The LIV Contingent and the Special Invite Controversy
Here’s where things get spicy. A total of 15 full-time LIV Golf League players are in, with one alternate standing by. Notably, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Tom McKibbin, Joaquin Niemann, and David Puig made the field despite slipping outside the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
Johnson, especially, turned heads. The 2020 Masters champ is currently ranked 751st—yes, 7-5-1—but got in thanks to a special invite. That’s a move that has raised a few eyebrows, especially among PGA loyalists.
Rickie Fowler Gets the Nod Despite Rankings
One of the more polarizing entries? Rickie Fowler. Despite falling to 125th in the OWGR—and not qualifying via the Ryder Cup criteria—Fowler was granted an exemption. Why? Probably a mix of star power and sentimentality.
After all, his first PGA Tour win happened right here at Quail Hollow back in 2012. Still, his inclusion left 13 higher-ranked players on the outside looking in.
A Global Stage Awaits
The field features 29 major winners, three World Golf Hall of Famers, and representatives from 24 countries and 26 states. This is more than a tournament—it’s a global showcase. And guess what? It’s not done yet.
Two final spots are still up for grabs, reserved for the winners of this week’s Truist Championship and the Myrtle Beach Classic, assuming they haven’t already punched their ticket. Oh, and Billy Horschel, who was originally in the field, just announced he’s having hip surgery. So, expect one more spot to open.
The countdown is officially on. With an eclectic mix of legends, underdogs, LIV players, and international stars descending on Charlotte, this year’s PGA Championship is setting up to be one for the books.
