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12 Criteria for earning an invitation to Kiawah Island

By May 17, 2021No Comments

2021 PGA Championship field: Here’s who’s playing at Kiawah Island

We’ve officially reached the second major championship of 2021: the PGA Championship. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the tournament field, including a complete list of competitors.

2021 PGA Championship Preview

The PGA Championship returns to Kiawah Island for the first time since 2012 and, fittingly, Rory McIlroy’s game appears to be rounding into form. It was McIlroy who emerged from the carnage in 2012 with an awe-inspiring eight-stroke victory at the PGA, capturing his second major championship victory and setting a margin-of-victory record at the event. The 32-year-old figures enter among the betting favorites at Kiawah after his win at the Wells Fargo Championship in early May.

McIlroy recently began working with Pete Cowen, the renowned British swing coach who also claims Brooks Koepka among his clients. Koepka, a two-time PGA Championship winner, looks to return to form at Kiawah. Koepka hasn’t played much since a surprise knee surgery caused by an off-course injury earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Collin Morikawa returns to the field looking to earn his second PGA Championship in as many years. The 24-year-old captured the first major of his career at last year’s PGA at Harding Park, and enters this year’s tournament with four top-10 finishes on the season.

Who earns an invite to the PGA Championship?

The PGA of America — the governing body responsible for hosting the PGA Championship — lists 12 criteria for earning an invitation to Kiawah Island. They are as follows:

1. All former PGA Champions

2. Winners of the last five Masters (2015-19)

3. Winners of the last five U.S. Opens (2014-18)

4. Winners of the last five Open Championships (2014-18)

5. Winners of the last three Players Championships (2017-19)

6. The top 15 finishers at the 2018 PGA Championship

7. The top 20 finishers at the PGA Professional Championship.

8. Year-to-date PGA Championship Points leaders

9. 2018 Ryder Cup team members

10. Winners of PGA Tour-approved tournaments

11. Special invitations

12. Completing the field

So, who made the cut? Check out the full field.

SOURCE: golf.com

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