There are 16 LIV players in the 2025 PGA Championship field, competing at Quail Hollow Club from May 12 to 18, 2025. Qualifying for majors can be tough for LIV players since their events don’t award Official World Golf Ranking points, but some have made the cut based on their world ranking, like Patrick Reed. Others qualified due to recent major wins or top-15 finishes at the 2024 PGA Championship—Bryson DeChambeau fits all three criteria. Past PGA champions also earn lifetime exemptions, which is how players like Phil Mickelson secured their spots.
With such a strong lineup, the competition is bound to be fierce. So, who are the top 5 LIV golfers among the 16 of them? Well, we’ve made the choices for you.
Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau is leading this list, and we think you know why. He’s one of golf’s most electrifying players, with a game perfectly suited for Quail Hollow’s 7,600-yard layout that rewards distance and precision. Fresh off a stellar 2024 season, DeChambeau claimed his second U.S. Open title, showcasing his ability to dominate on the biggest stages. He’s proven himself capable of thriving in elite competition, regularly pitting his skills against the best of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour four times a year. Notable finishes, including a top 10 at Augusta and a runner-up finish at last year’s PGA Championship, where he posted an impressive final-round 65, further cement his status as a formidable contender at Quail Hollow. His win in Korea would also give him confidence.
Brooks Koepka
Of course, Brooks Koepka is the second on this list. The three-time PGA Championship winner has had immense success in this major, lifting the Wanamaker Trophy in 2018, 2019, and 2023. Notably, his 2023 win marked the first major victory for an LIV Golf pro since the league’s founding. Koepka’s performances in these wins were impressive, with his first victory coming at 16-under, a two-stroke margin over Tiger Woods, and his most recent PGA Championship win concluding with a final-round 67 for a total of nine-under 271.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm is coming to Quail Hollow to make a statement, currently ranked 82nd. Despite this, Rahm has consistently performed well on the LIV circuit, with no finishes outside the top 10 since joining. This year, he’s notched seven top-10s, although he’s yet to secure a win. Rahm acknowledges his solid play, noting that even without being at his best, he’s managed to deliver top-10 finishes. With a less-than-ideal record in recent major starts, including a missed cut at last year’s PGA Championship, Rahm will look to make an impact at Quail Hollow, also keeping in mind his bid to climb the European Ryder Cup rankings.
Sergio Garcia
Do we even have to explain this one? Sergio Garcia might not have had the same recent success as some of his peers, but his history in major championships is certainly notable. The 45-year-old Spanish golfer’s crowning achievement remains his 2017 Masters Tournament win, which finally brought him his first major title after years of hard work and dedication. However, what makes him a strong contender for this list is his proven track record at the PGA Championship, where he’s had heartbreaking near misses in the past.
In 1999, Garcia was just one stroke shy of claiming the Wanamaker Trophy, finishing second to Tiger Woods at 10-under, and in 2008, he tied for second with Ben Curtis, narrowly missing out on the title. Given his experience and skill, Garcia still poses a threat on the course and could potentially add another major title.
Dustin Johnson
Before you come at us for putting Dustin Johnson on this list, hear us out. Although Dustin Johnson hasn’t claimed a PGA Championship title, his history in the tournament suggests he’s more than capable of competing at the highest level. He’s come agonizingly close to winning the title not once, but twice, finishing second in 2019 and 2020. The 2019 loss was particularly heartbreaking, as Johnson was just one stroke behind Brooks Koepka with three holes to play, only to falter on the 16th and 17th holes, allowing Koepka to seal the victory.
The following year, Johnson finished two strokes behind Collin Morikawa, who claimed the title. Despite never lifting the Wanamaker Trophy, Johnson’s consistent performances show he can contend in majors, making him a strong competitor at Quail Hollow. So, who are you rooting for? Let us know in the comment section below!
The post 2025 PGA Championship: Top 5 LIV Golf Picks Who Can Win at Quail Hollow appeared first on EssentiallySports.
