LIV Golf players entering weekend at PGA Championship
May 17, 2025 - 11:05 AMWritten by: Mike McAllister
A look at the eight LIV Golf players who seek the PGA Championship title this weekend.
BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU (-3, T17)
Crushers GC Captain
Seeking: 3rd career major win, 1st PGA Championship
Credentials: Two-time and reigning U.S. Open champion; 3-time LIV Golf tournament winner, including most recent tournament in Korea; currently 2nd in LIV Golf Individual Championship points
DeChambeau at Quail Hollow:
- Entering weekend inside the top 15 on the 36-hole leaderboard for the fifth consecutive time in a U.S.-based major
- Has been inside the top 20 of a U.S.-based major for 25 of the last 26 rounds he’s played
- Leads field in driving distance with a 345.6-yard average – more than 18 yards better than the next player’s average
DeChambeau on the weekend: “I think a 65, 65 is out there. I almost shot it out there today and I definitely saw it out there.”
RICHARD BLAND (-3, T17)
Cleeks GC
Seeking: 1st career major win; has two senior major titles
Credentials: Two senior major titles, including Senior PGA Championship that he will defend next week; LIV Golf Lock Zone finisher in first three years
Bland at Quail Hollow:
- Has played holes 5-18 in a bogey-free 6-under through the first two rounds
- Tied for 7th in the field in driving accuracy (78.57%) and tied for 6th in par-3 scoring average (2.88)
- Has been inside the top 20 after 36 holes in four of his nine career major starts
Bland after 36 holes: “The length that it’s playing, I’ve got to bring my best stuff. Haven’t quite done that, but it’s trending in the right direction.”
JON RAHM (-2, T27)
Legion XIII Captain
Seeking: 3rd career major win, 1st PGA Championship
Credentials: Two-time major winner; reigning 2024 LIV Golf Individual Champion; currently 3rd in LIV Golf Individual Championship points; has never finished outside the top 10 in the 19 LIV Golf tournaments that he’s completed
Rahm at Quail Hollow:
- Has played holes 7-18 in a bogey-free 4 under
- Ranks 6th in the field in driving distance average (325.0-yard average)
- Will play third round with U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley
Rahm on the weekend: “I think I’m in good position. Adding to the fact that I feel like I’m getting better, more confident with the swing.”
JOAQUIN NIEMANN (-1, T36)
Torque GC Captain
Seeking: 1st career major win
Credentials: 5-time LIV Golf tournament winner (tied for most with Brooks Koepka); current LIV Golf Individual Championship points leader
Niemann at Quail Hollow:
- His round of 67 on Friday is his lowest second round of his major career in 24 career starts
- Played holes 7-14 in Round 1 in 4 over; played the same holes in Round 2 in 5 under
- Has 9th longest drive of the week at 353 yards
Niemann entering the weekend: “I feel like the mindset is right. I’ve been grinding these two days, so I feel like my best is to come. That would be great.”
TYRRELL HATTON (-1, T36)
Legion XIII
Seeking: 1st career major win
Credentials: 13 professional wins and 3-time Ryder Cupper; 4th in LIV Golf Individual Championship points in 2024
Hatton at Quail Hollow:
- Finished T3 in his most recent start at Quail Hollow two years ago
- 5th time in 11 career PGA Championship starts that he’s entered weekend inside the top 40
- Has hit 75% of his fairways, tying for 12th best in the field
Hatton on the weekend: “I need to have two very good rounds without putting a foot wrong."
TOM McKIBBIN (-1, T36)
Legion XIII
Seeking: 1st carer major win in just his third major start
Credentials: Won his first DP World Tour event in Europe at age 20; finished inside the top 15 in four of his first LIV Golf starts
McKibbin at Quail Hollow:
- Made the cut for the third time in as many starts in his major career
- Played 18 consecutive holes without a bogey until his final hole on Friday
- Has played bogey-free golf between holes 2-8 and 11-17
McKibbin on LIV Golf’s impact on his major prep: “I think it’s prepared me quote well. I’ve got to play to play with a lot of great players and when I came here, I’ve felt much more comfortable. I think that especially the last couple of weeks (on LIV Golf), pins out there have been very difficult, which when I came here this week, they haven’t felt actually too bad. So yeah, I think it’s prepared me quite nicely.”
SERGIO GARCIA (+1, T62)
Fireballs GC Captain
Seeking: 2nd career major win in his 101st career major start
Credentials: Masters winner; two-time LIV Golf tournament winner, including 2025 Hong Kong; currently 4th in LIV Golf Individual Championship points
Garcia at Quail Hollow:
- Made the cut at the PGA Championship for the first time since 2015
- His 3-under 68 ties for his lowest score ever shot in the second round of his 25 career PGA Championship starts
- Shot a bogey-free 5-under from holes 3-18 in Round 2 after shooting 4 over on those holes in Round 1
DAVID PUIG (+1, T62)
Fireballs GC
Seeking: 1st career major win in just his 5th major start
Credentials: Two career wins by age 23; ranks 7th in current LIV Golf Individual Championship standings; has celebrated victory eight times as a member of a winning LIV Golf team
Puig at Quail Hollow:
- Made the cut for the third time in five career major starts
- Battling an injured back that forced him to contemplate withdrawing early in the week
- Ranks seventh in the field in putting average through two rounds