Peter Teravainen of the US in action during the second round of the 51st PGA Seniors Championship at The Stoke by Nayland Club on September 7, 2007 in Colchester, Essex2008 US PGA Championship Eligibility Criteria

The US PGA Championship was established to provide a high profile tournament specifically for professional golfers.  This came about at a time when professionals were not regarded in high esteem and the sport was largely run by wealthy amateurs. More on the history of the US PGA Championship.

This origin is still reflected in the entry system as the eligibility criteria state that no amateurs may compete in the tournament.   It is also the only major to reserve a large number of spaces – 20 of 156 – for club professionals to take part (these slots are determined by the top finishers in the club pro championship).  Vacancies are filled by the first available player from the list of alternates (those below 70th place in official money standings).

Over the past nine decades, the US PGA Championship has developed into one of the premier sporting events in the world. More than 100,000 people line the fairways of the nation's finest golf facilities during US PGA Championship week to view the strongest, all-professional international field in major championship golf.

List of 2008 US PGA Championship eligibility criteria:

  • All former US PGA Champions.
  • Winners of the last five US Opens.
  • Winners of the last five Masters.
  • Winners of the last five Open Championships.
  • The last Senior US PGA Champion.
  • The low 15 scorers and ties in the previous US PGA Championship.
  • The 20 low scorers in the last PGA Professional National Championship.
  • The 70 leaders in official money standings (starting one week prior to the previous year's US PGA Championship and ending two weeks prior to the current year's US PGA Championship).
  • Members of the most recent United States Ryder Cup team.
  • Winners of tournaments co-sponsored or approved by the PGA Tour since the previous PGA Championship (does not include pro-am and team competitions).

The PGA of America also reserves the right to invite additional players that are not included in the categories listed above.  An example might be that although it does not explicitly grant entry to the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Rankings, it does invariably invite all top 50 players who are not already qualified. Read more about the player profiles.

Keep your eyes on who meets the 2008 US PGA Championship eligibility criteria