Golf player raking in a staggering $166 million earns unexpected late Major tournament invitation to continue winning streak
A Fresh Take on Dustin Johnson's PGA Championship Invite
Ever since Dustin Johnson's 2020 Masters victory, he's been a consistent presence in Major fields. However, following Rory McIlroy's Augusta triumph, Johnson's guaranteed entrance has come to an end.
Johnson's form has waned in the LIV Golf circuit this year, failing to secure another Masters exemption with two rounds in the 70s. With LIV Golf events yet to be recognized by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system, his eight-year Major run was in peril ahead of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
But lucky for Johnson, with earnings equating to roughly $166 million, he's reportedly been handed a special invitation to compete, according to Flushing It. This two-time Major winner, who's finished runner-up twice in the tournament, has only managed a top-five position once in LIV this season.
Fans were less than thrilled about his inclusion, with comments like: "Doesn't deserve it… earn it with good play," "A mercy invite," and "Field filler, will be a non-factor if he even makes the cut."
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As for David Puig, he too seems to be receiving the special treatment, hinting at a concerted push to include LIV stars in the Championship.
Despite his struggles, Johnson insists his game is far from finished. "I'm playing better than I scored for sure. Didn't score very well," he said after his second round at Augusta. "Golf is a funny game... Just a couple of putts here and there drop, and it's a completely different story."
Rules for special invitations to the PGA Championship typically extend invites to deserving golfers based on their overall performance and contributions to the sport. It's not unusual for the PGA of America to invite players who aren't among the top 70 or even 100 in the OWGR, especially when there are compelling reasons for their inclusion.
In the two LIV outings since The Masters, Johnson has finished in ties for seventh and 34th. The last Major he missed was Augusta in 2017, following a slip at his rental home before the tournament.
As for the favorites, the joint-favorites are Masters champion McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, who's coming off a PGA Tour record-breaking score of 31-under, along with LIV star Bryson DeChambeau.
- Dustin Johnson, despite his recent struggles in the LIV Golf circuit, has been granted a special invitation to compete in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, thanks to his immense earnings of around $166 million.
- Johnson's inclusion in the PGA Championship has sparked controversy, with fans criticizing his invitation as undeserved and arguing that he should earn his place through good play.
- The rules for special invitations to the PGA Championship typically extend invites to deserving golfers based on their overall performance and contributions to the sport.
- despite his recent struggles in the LIV Golf circuit, Johnson maintains that his game is far from finished and believes that a few dropped putts could significantly improve his results.
