TLDR:
- LIV Golf star Talor Gooch receives special invitation to play in PGA Championship
- Gooch has made polarizing comments about professional golf in the past
LIV Golf star Talor Gooch, known for his outspoken remarks about professional golf, has been invited to play in the PGA Championship by the PGA of America. Despite being a founding member of the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway tour and making controversial comments, Gooch was surprised and grateful for the invitation.
The 32-year-old Gooch has won three times in 2023 but found himself locked out of major events due to the Official World Golf Ranking system. His comments about the state of professional golf, including the possibility of an “asterisk” on a player’s win without LIV players, have divided opinions.
Gooch hopes that the invitation from the PGA of America is a step towards recognizing LIV players in major tournaments. Despite the controversy surrounding him, Gooch is one of 16 LIV players competing at Valhalla this week.
Along with Gooch, other LIV stars like Patrick Reed, Joaquin Niemann, and Dean Burmester also received special invitations to the PGA Championship.
Overall, Gooch’s invite to the PGA Championship highlights the ongoing debate between traditional golf associations and breakaway tours, shedding light on the changing landscape of professional golf.