PGA CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: QUICK LOOK AT THE 16 LIV GOLFERS

A quick look at the 16 LIV Golf players who’ll compete in this week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

DEAN BURMESTER
Stinger GC

PGA Championship starts: 3
Best finish: 54th (2023)
Exemption: Special Invite

OVERVIEW: Has won three times in his last 11 worldwide starts, including his first LIV Golf victory in Miami in April … Currently 3rd in the 2024 Individual standings … Will be making his eighth career major start … His best major result is a T11 at the 2022 Open.

OUTLOOK: Arguably one of the world’s hottest players the last six months. Now has a chance to prove it on the big stage.

BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU
Crushers GC

PGA Championship starts: 6
Best finish: T4 (2020, 2023)
Exemption: 2020 U.S. Open Champion

OVERVIEW: Has four top 10s in the 2024 LIV Golf season and currently 12th in the Individual standings … His T4 in last year’s PGA Championship is his best major result since his U.S. Open win … Will be making his 30th career start in a major.

OUTLOOK: Still seeking his first individual win of 2024 but certainly feeling confident after his best-ever Masters result.

TALOR GOOCH
Smash GC

PGA Championship starts: 4
Best finish: T20 (2022)
Exemption: Special Invite

OVERVIEW: Won three LIV Golf tournaments in 2023 en route to claiming the season-long Individual Championship … Has four top 10s in the 2024 season and currently 8th in the Individual standings … Will be making his 12th career start in a major.

OUTLOOK: PGA officials rewarded his 2023 LIV performance with a special invite, and he’s determined to show that their decision was justified.

TYRRELL HATTON
Legion XIII

PGA Championship starts: 9
Best finish: T10 (2016, 2018)
Exemption: Top 15 in 2023 PGA Championship; 2023 Ryder Cup

OVERVIEW: Has three top 10s and three other top 15 finishes in his first seven starts since joining LIV Golf … Currently 11th in the Individual standings … Will be making his 36th career start in a major.

OUTLOOK: No surprise he’s been a consistent top performer since joining LIV Golf. Seems on the verge of winning a major.

LUCAS HERBERT
Ripper GC

PGA Championship starts: 5
Best finish: T13 (2022)
Exemption: Special Invite

OVERVIEW: Has two top-15 finishes in his first seven starts since joining LIV Golf and is currently 41st in the Individual standings … Has four professional wins, including the 2023 ISPS Handa Championship in Japan … Will be making his 15th major start.

OUTLOOK: Seems to be settling in as a first-year LIV player. Perhaps the Rippers’ recent success will translate to his individual play.

DUSTIN JOHNSON
4Aces GC

PGA Championship starts: 14
Best finish: 2nd (2019), T2 (2020)
Exemption: 2020 Masters Champion

OVERVIEW: Won his third LIV Golf title in Las Vegas in February and is currently 9th in the Individual standings … Has played every PGA Championship since 2009 except for Valhalla in 2014 … Will be making his 59th major start.

OUTLOOK: His 2024 Masters result wasn’t pretty, but DJ said it wasn’t as bad as the score indicated. We know he can turn it on at any time.

MARTIN KAYMER
Cleeks GC

PGA Championship starts: 14
Best finish: 1st (2010)
Exemption: Past Champion

OVERVIEW: Has top 20 finishes in his last two LIV Golf starts and is currently 42nd in the Individual standings … Beat fellow LIV Golf captain Bubba Watson in a playoff to win the 2010 PGA at Whistling Straits … Will be making his 54th major start.

OUTLOOK: It’s been a battle to find form as he’s dealt with injury issues. But recent signs are encouraging.

BROOKS KOEPKA
Smash GC

PGA Championship starts: 11
Best finish: 1st (2018, 2019, 2023)
Exemption: Past/Defending Champion

OVERVIEW: Won LIV Golf Singapore in his most recent start to become the first golfer to win four LIV Golf individual titles … Currently 5th in the Individual standings … Seeking to join Tiger Woods as a four-time PGA champion … Making his 40th major start.

OUTLOOK: The message he sent in Singapore was loud and clear – Koepka is ready to defend his title.

ADRIAN MERONK
Cleeks GC

PGA Championship starts: 1
Best finish: T40 (2023)
Exemption: Special Invite

OVERVIEW: Has three top 10s in his first seven starts since joining LIV Golf and is currently 18th in the Individual standings … Voted as DP World Player of the Year in 2023 after his three-win season … Making his 8th major start.

OUTLOOK: Will look to bounce back from a disappointing Masters ... and he has the game to do it.

PHIL MICKELSON
HyFlyers GC

PGA Championship starts: 30
Best finish: 1st (2005, 2021)
Exemption: Past Champion

OVERVIEW: Finished T6 at LIV Golf Jeddah, his best result in LIV Golf, and is currently 34th in the Individual standings … Has won six majors, his most recent at the 2021 PGA when he set a record as oldest major winner at age 50 … Making his 123rd major start.

OUTLOOK: Finished second to Rory McIlroy the last time the PGA was held at Valhalla. And if the 2021 PGA showed, we should never discount his chances.

JOAQUIN NIEMANN
Torque GC

PGA Championship starts: 6
Best finish: T23 (2022)
Exemption: Special Invite

OVERVIEW: Has two LIV Golf individual wins (Mayakoba, Jeddah) in 2024 and currently leads the Individual standings … Has three wins and seven other top 10s in his last 12 worldwide starts since late November … Making his 21st major start.

OUTLOOK: LIV Golf’s best player in the first half of the 2024 season has been playing with a chip on his shoulder. It should serve him well at Valhalla.

ANDY OGLETREE
HyFlyers GC

PGA Championship starts: 0
Best finish: N/A
Exemption: Top 3 International Federation ranking 

OVERVIEW: T3 at LIV Golf Adelaide is his best result in 2024 …  Currently 28th in the Individual standings … Earned his spot in LIV Golf after finishing atop the 2023 International Series standings on the Asian Tour.

OUTLOOK: His only major starts came in 2020 by virtue of his U.S. Amateur win the year before. Would like to take full advantage of this PGA start.

DAVID PUIG
Fireballs GC

PGA Championship starts: 0
Best finish: N/A
Exemption: Special Invite

OVERVIEW: Has two top 15s in LIV Golf this season and currently 43rd in the Individual standings … In his last 10 non-LIV starts, he has two wins, four other top 5s, a top 10 and three top 15s … Making just his second major start.

OUTLOOK: He’s played great in non-LIV tournaments. If that holds true again this week, watch out.

JON RAHM
Legion XIII

PGA Championship starts: 7
Best finish: T4 (2018)
Exemption: 2023 Masters Champion; 2021 U.S Open Champion

OVERVIEW: Only LIV Golf player this season to finish in top 10 in each of the first seven tournaments, with his best finish a T3 (twice) … Currently 2nd in the Individual standings … Making his 31st major start.

OUTLOOK: His Masters title defense was disappointing, but he’s a threat any time he tees it up. And he’s due for a win in 2024.

PATRICK REED
4Aces GC

PGA Championship starts: 10
Best finish: T2 (2017)
Exemption: Special Invite

OVERVIEW: Has one top 10 and two other top 20s this season and is currently 30th in the Individual standings … Finished 4th and 6th in the Individual standings in first two LIV Golf seasons … Making his 41st consecutive start in a major.

OUTLOOK: Knows that his major starts beyond the Masters may be limited if he can’t convert one of these opportunities into a victory. But he’ll need to find his form.

CAMERON SMITH
Ripper GC

PGA Championship starts: 8
Best finish: T9 (2023)
Exemption: 2022 Open Champion

OVERVIEW: Has two T2s and one other top 10 this season and is currently 7th in the Individual standings … Won twice in 2023 and finished 2nd in the Individual Championship race … Making his 31st major start.

OUTLOOK: The Rippers’ recent run of success has kept him in the limelight but may be a bit under the radar individually going into Valhalla. Could work to his advantage.