FRISCO, Texas (Feb. 22, 2023) – The PGA of America today announced a new exemption category for the PGA Championship. Beginning with the 2023 PGA Championship, set for May 18-21 at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, the top three players on the International Federation Ranking List as of April 24 will earn exemptions into the field.
The International Federation Ranking List, which was announced last month by the Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking, ranks international players competing on the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Sunshine Tour.
“This new category will help identify current or emerging international players who may not yet have had the opportunity to showcase their talents in the cauldron of a Major Championship setting,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “It provides all players from these four International golf tours an opportunity to compete throughout their respective seasons to be rewarded by access into the PGA Championship.”
The complete list of PGA Championship exemptions may be found below. Any player who qualifies through these exemptions will be eligible to compete in the PGA Championship. The PGA of America also reserves the right to invite additional players not included in the categories listed below in pursuit of our annual goal to deliver the strongest field in golf.
“Our decisions are always based on what’s in the best interest of the PGA of America and conducting the best Championship possible,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “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. In the meantime, as always, our focus will be on our mission to grow the game and improve the lives of our members, who work so hard to impact millions of lives every day.”
PGA CHAMPIONSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The total field will be a maximum of 156 players.
The PGA of America has approved the following list of players who qualify for the 105th PGA Championship:
1. All former winners of the PGA Championship
2. Winners of the last five Masters (2019-23)
3. Winners of the last five U.S. Opens (2018-22)
4. Winners of the last five Open Championships (2017-22). [Note: Canceled in 2020]
5. Winners of the last three THE PLAYERS Championships (2021-23)
6. The top three on the OWGR’s International Federation Ranking List as of April 24, 2023.
7. Winner of 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
8. The top 15 finishers and ties from the 2022 PGA Championship
9. The top 20 finishers from the 2023 PGA Professional Championship.
10.The top 70 players who are eligible and have earned the most PGA Championship points from the 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson through the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship (ending May 7, 2023).
11. Playing members of the last named U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams (2021), provided they remain in the top 100 on the Official World Golf Rankings as of May 7, 2023.
12. Winners of PGA TOUR co-sponsored or approved tournaments whose victories are considered official, from the 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge through the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson.
13. If necessary to complete the field, those players beyond the top 70 players who are eligible and who have earned the most PGA Championship points from the 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson through the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship (ending May 7, 2023) in order of their position on such a list.
*Note: The PGA Championship points list is based on Official Money earned in PGA TOUR events within the defined period in Nos. 10 and 12 above and is available at https://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.132.html. Announcement of the final field is planned for May 10.
