All four majors open to LIVers

Players on the LIV Golf tour scored another major victory Wednesday.

One day after the R&A announced that it wouldn’t ban players from the controversial Saudi-backed circuit from competing in the 2023 British Open, the PGA of America followed suit when announcing its criteria for the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club outside Rochester.

The news means players from the LIV tour who are eligible will be able to tee it up in all four of golf’s majors. Augusta National and the USGA previously stated they would not ban LIV players from the Masters and U.S. Open, respectively.

The decision comes as something of an about-face after PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said last May during the PGA Championship at Southern Hills that players banned or suspended by the PGA Tour likely would lose their PGA of America privileges, which would prevent them from playing in the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup. Though Waugh on Wednesday acknowledged the ongoing battle between the PGA Tour and LIV, he said his organization’s goal is for a competitive PGA Championship with the best field possible.

“Our decisions are always based on what’s in the best interest of the PGA of America and conducting the best Championship possible,” Waugh said. “Sadly, the current division in the professional game is not good for the sport or the future of the game. We hope there might be some resolution soon.”

The R&A made a similar announcement on Tuesday, declaring that players from the LIV tour who are eligible will be allowed to tee it up at Royal Liverpool this July.