In late February, LIV golfer Taylor Gooch said in an interview with Australian Golf Digest that Rory McIlroy’s Masters win would be given an “asterisk” because Augusta was missing “some of the best players in golf.” ”, which caused a stir. world. “
Gooch has a chance to compete in a major against McIlroy and the rest of the PGA Tour. The 2023 LIV Player of the Year announced on social media Monday that he has received an invitation from the PGA of America to attend next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. The PGA of America is scheduled to announce the berths for the year’s second major championship on Tuesday, and Gooch will join LIV golfer Joaquin Niemann, who was also invited to the Masters and tied for 22nd place, in the 156-player tournament.
Since participating in LIV, which is not eligible for Official World Golf Ranking points, Niemann and Gooch have plummeted in the rankings, dropping to 91st and 644th, respectively. Niemann tried to earn ranking points by competing on the DP World Tour and Asian Tour, but Gooch only played in one of those tournaments, the Hong Kong Open last November. Last week, at the LIV event in Singapore, he said he would not challenge to qualify for the next US Open at Pinehurst, where he is second.
Last season, Gooch won three times at LIV, and this year he has three top-10 finishes, including a second place in Las Vegas, and is ranked No. 8 in the individual standings. Gooch, 32, has one win on the PGA Tour, the 2021 RSM Classic, and his best finish in 11 majors is T-14th at the 2022 Masters. He has played in the PGA four times, missed the cut twice, and had a great T-20 at Southern Hills in ’22.
