How Players Get Picked for PGA

The best way to make sure you’re in the field for the PGA Championship? Win the thing before.

But that’s not the only way.

Since 1995, when the number of club pros invited was reduced from 40 to 25, the field of 150 for the PGA Championship has proved to be the strongest in golf. Last year at Valhalla, a record 81 of the top 100 in the world rankings were on hand.

Here is how players become eligible:

1--All former PGA champions.

2--Winners of the last five U.S. Opens (1993-1997).

3--Winners of the last five Masters.

4--Winners of the last five British Opens.

5--The current PGA Seniors’ champion.

6--The low 15 scorers and ties from the 1996 PGA.

7--The 1996 PGA club pro champion.

8--The 25 low scorers from the 1997 PGA Club Pro Championship.

9--The top 70 on the official money list from the 1996 Buick Open to the 1997 Sprint International.

10--Members of the 1995 U.S. Ryder Cup team.

11--Winners of PGA Tour co-sponored or approved tournaments from the 1996 PGA Championship to the 1997 PGA Championship. Does not include pro-am and team competition.

12--Special invitation.