LIV Golf players will be able to compete at all four majors this year.

The PGA of America announced its eligibility requirements for the 2023 PGA Championship, and despite past signals about LIV players possibly jeopardising their status for the tournament, members of the circuit will indeed get to compete for the Wanamaker Trophy this year at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York.

“Our decisions are always based on what’s in the best interest of the PGA of America and conducting the best championship possible,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “As always, our focus will be on our mission to grow the game and improve the lives of our members, who work so hard to impact millions of lives every day.”

The championship’s bylaws had required players to be PGA of America members in order to play in the PGA Championship, a status they gain through their membership on the PGA Tour. Two years ago at Kiawah Island, Waugh said those who were banned or suspended by the tour would likely lose their PGA of America privileges, keeping them out of the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup. Last May at Southern Hills, Waugh said his Kiawah comments “still stand”.

“Our bylaws do say that you have to be a recognised member of a recognised tour in order to be a PGA member somewhere, and therefore eligible to play,” Waugh said at the 2022 PGA Championship. “If something else became one of those, obviously we’d have to recognise it.”

Instead, past PGA Championship winners who have moved to LIV (Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Martin Kaymer) will receive an invite to this year’s PGA, along with winners of the other major championships the past five years and winners of the Players Championship the past three years. Recent LIV signees Mito Periera and Brendan Steele will likewise be in the field by finishing in the top 15 at last year’s championship.

Mickelson, the 2021 PGA winner, did not attempt to defend his title last year.

The move comes a day after the R&A announced that the Open Championship will remain open to LIV Golf members. Augusta National and the USGA had previously announced their respective tournaments for 2023 will remain open to LIV Golf members. This year’s PGA Championship begins May 18 at Oak Hill. Justin Thomas is the defending champ.