Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson has been granted a special invitation to compete in the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, the PGA of America announced on Tuesday.
The former world No. 1 joins a growing contingent of LIV golfers in the 156-player field for the year’s second major, set for May 15-18.
Johnson, 40, received the invite under the PGA of America’s eligibility criterion that allows the organization to extend invitations to additional players who do not meet standard qualification requirements. His exemption from his 2020 Masters victory, which granted him a five-year entry to the PGA Championship, expired this year, making the special invitation necessary. The decision underscores the PGA of America’s commitment to assembling the strongest possible field, regardless of tour affiliation.
“Dustin’s track record in majors and his continued competitiveness make him a valuable addition to the championship,” a PGA of America spokesperson said. Johnson, who won the 2016 U.S. Open and the 2020 Masters, has a strong history at the PGA Championship, finishing runner-up in 2019 and tying for second in 2020. However, his recent major performances have been inconsistent, with a missed cut at the 2025 Masters and no top-30 finishes in majors since a T10 at the 2023 U.S. Open.
Since joining LIV Golf in 2022, Johnson has competed in majors as one of the few LIV players with exemptions or special invitations, given the tour’s events do not award Official World Golf Ranking points. This season, he has recorded two top-10 finishes in seven LIV events and sits 28th in the LIV Golf individual standings. His invitation to Quail Hollow ensures he maintains his streak of appearing in every major since the 2017 Masters, a testament to his enduring relevance in the sport.
Johnson will be joined by 15 other LIV Golf players in the field, including major champions Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, and Phil Mickelson, as well as invitees Sergio Garcia, Joaquin Niemann, Tom McKibbin, and David Puig. The PGA of America’s inclusive approach contrasts with the ongoing tensions between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, with no finalized agreement yet on reunifying the sport despite negotiations involving Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete at Quail Hollow,” Johnson said in a statement. “The PGA Championship is always a tough test, and I’m excited to get out there and give it my best.” He expressed optimism about his game in a recent interview, stating, “The game is really close to where it was when I was playing my best. Hopefully, 2025 is the year I can compete in the majors again.”
The Quail Hollow layout, a par-71 stretching to 7,600 yards, will challenge players with its length and demanding greens. Johnson’s prodigious driving distance — consistently among the PGA Tour’s best during his 15-year tenure — could give him an edge, provided he sharpens his approach play and putting, which faltered at Augusta. Whether he can recapture the form that made him a dominant force remains to be seen, but for now, the LIV Golf star has a golden opportunity to chase his third major title.
