When the finalized field for the 2025 PGA Championship was released on Tuesday, Dustin Johnson was not expected to make the list of 156 players who will compete for the Wanamaker Trophy next week at Quail Hollow Club.
After all, it's not often that the 751st-ranked player in the world receives a special exemption from the PGA of America, especially one from LIV Golf, although several players from the Saudi-backed series will tee it up in Charlotte. But that's not why we're here.
And yes, that really is where DJ ranks right now. But that's not why we're here, either.
We are here, however, to explain exactly why Johnson needed a special invitation in the first place, as it became quite the hot (and divisive) topic of conversation among golf fans once the full field was revealed. And truth be told, it is a little confusing.
So, let's clear things up, shall we?
Dustin Johnson's November Masters win created a tricky technicality for his status in the 2025 PGA Championship
At the 2020 edition of The Masters, Johnson made history by setting the new 72-hole scoring record at Augusta National, shooting a ridiculous 20-under to break the previous mark of 18-under initially set by Tiger Woods in 1997 and tied by Jordan Spieth in 2015.
But that wasn't the only thing special about that particular week at Augusta, as the 2020 Masters was moved from April to November due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And that change created a tricky technicality, which is where next week's PGA Championship comes into play.
Many, many perks come with a victory at The Masters, including exemptions into the next five PGA Championships. As Johnson's win came in November, one would naturally think he would have received exemptions into the 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 editions. But that's not how things played out for the former world No. 1.
Technically speaking, the PGA Championship takes the winners of the last five Masters, not a Masters champion with a five-year exemption. As there have been five editions of The Masters since Johnson' win at Augusta, the exemptions went to Hideki Matsuyama (2021), Scottie Scheffler (2022, 2024), Jon Rahm (2023), and Rory McIlroy (2025).
Hence, that's why Johnson received a special invitation to the 2025 PGA Championship. Easy enough, right?
And kudos to the PGA of America for doing so. I'll admit to not always being on board with the way LIV Golf has done things, but the fact of the matter is that Johnson earned exemptions into five PGA Championships. So, he should get to play five PGA Championships.
Not everyone agrees, and that's okay. And if you hit any social media site where this topic is being discussed, you'll see plenty of people who disagree.
Some just don't like him being in LIV Golf. Others point to the fact that he hasn't played great golf this season, finishing 27th or worse in five of his seven LIV starts and missing the cut at The Masters. In fact, he's failed to make the weekend in four of his last six major championship appearances.
But whether you like it or not, Dustin Johnson will be at Quail Hollow next week. And whether you like it or not, he deserves to be.