LIV Golf star Dustin Johnson secures last-minute PGA Championship invite

Dustin Johnson has received a late invitation to the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, ensuring his remarkable 18-year streak of appearances in men’s majors remains intact.

The update was first confirmed via Johnson's 4Aces GC Facebook account. The post has since been deleted, but we have captured it further down in this article. 

Johnson, a two-time major champion, had been in danger of missing a major for the first time since 2008, largely due to his slide to 468th in the Official World Golf Ranking following his move to LIV Golf in 2022. 

Without exemptions and outside the automatic qualification criteria, Johnson’s place in the field had been uncertain until the PGA of America stepped in with a special invite.

This marks the second consecutive year Johnson, 41, has relied on an invitation to tee it up at the PGA Championship. He was also handed a special exemption into the 2025 edition at Quail Hollow Club, where he struggled to make an impact and missed the cut after finishing on 12-over par.

Johnson will now have featured in 69 consecutive majors over the past 18 years, missing only three due to injury or personal reasons. 

His last absence from a major, outside of those circumstances, dates back to the 2008 PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

Confirmation of his place came via his LIV Golf team, 4Aces GC, with a social media post declaring: “The 18-year major streak continues…” alongside tournament details for the championship, which runs from 14–17 May.

Check out the confirmation post here: 

GolfMagic has reached out to both the PGA and Johnson's LIV Golf team for comment. 

Despite recent uncertainty, Johnson’s pedigree at the PGA Championship made a compelling case for inclusion.

In 16 previous appearances, he has recorded six top-10 finishes, including runner-up efforts in 2019 and 2020. 

He is also a five-time member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, further strengthening his ties with the PGA of America.

Johnson's invitation into the 156-man PGA Championship arrives during a turbulent spell both on and off the course. 

The big-hitting American has endured a modest start to his 2026 campaign, registering just one top-10 finish in eight starts. 

That result came at LIV Golf Singapore in March, while he also missed the cut at the DP World Tour's Dubai Desert Classic and finished tied 33rd at The Masters. 

Off the course, LIV Golf faces an uncertain future after it was last week confirmed the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) will withdraw financial backing beyond the 2026 season, leaving teams like Johnson’s 4Aces GC — featuring Thomas Detry, Thomas Pieters and Anthony Kim — awaiting clarity.

Johnson, a former world number one, remains exempt for life at The Masters thanks to his 2020 win at famed Augusta National. 

Johnson's first major title came at the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. 

The 2026 PGA Championship will be played at Aronimink, a historic venue that last hosted the tournament in 1962, when Gary Player claimed the first of his two PGA titles en route to a nine-major career.

Johnson is currently preparing to compete at LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National Golf Club, Washington, D.C.