Talor Gooch reacts on social media after receiving late invite to the PGA Championship

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LIV Golf star Talor Gooch has reacted on social media after receiving a late invite to the PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The year’s second major gets underway on May 16 and is returning to the Louisville venue for the first time in ten years.

Rory McIlroy was victorious the last time the PGA was held at the 2008 Ryder Cup course, securing a one-shot victory over Phil Mickelson. In a dramatic conclusion, the lefty nearly chipped in for an eagle on his 72nd hole to force a playoff.

Mickelson, along with ten other LIV Golf stars, will feature in the year’s second major. Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton, Martin Kaymer, Brooks Koepka, Joaquin Niemann and Cameron Smith are all set to tee it up.

However, a development late on Monday evening [May 6] saw LIV stars Gooch and David Puig invited to compete.

Here’s what Talor Gooch has said after receiving late PGA Championship invite

• READ MORE: Here’s why Books Koepka could have the edge at the PGA Championship at Valhalla

Three-time LIV Golf winner Gooch has been in fine form since moving to the breakaway tour. After winning the individual championship in 2023, the American has landed two top-ten finishes since the turn of the year.

Gooch’s form prior to his move to LIV was pretty uninspiring. In six OWRG-ranked events, the 32-year-old missed two cuts, withdrew once, and landed a highest finish of 12th. Clearly, this invite is based on his form on the Saudi-backed tour.

Taking to X after the news, Gooch said: “Looking forward to Valhalla next week! Thank you for the invitation @PGA. See y’all there.”

PGA Championship invite for Talor Gooch is significant

On the surface, Gooch’s invite to the PGA Championship may seem pretty insignificant. But, with talks between LIV and the PGA still progressing, the 32-year-old being invited feels like a crucial moment.

Presently, LIV Golf events don’t rank towards qualification to the PGA; before Gooch and Puig’s inclusion, the LIV contingent qualified based on past performances at major championships.

It’s an issue Mickelson has been vocal on in recent months, suggesting LIV events must have weight towards the majors.

Gooch, clearly, has been invited based on his performances this season, which is a sign the times could well be changing, something the global game desperately needs.