The 2025 PGA Championship, set for May 15–18 at Quail Hollow, is shaping up to be a heavyweight event. But a familiar debate is already stirring controversy: Should the PGA of America still reserve 20 spots for club professionals in a major tournament?
These club pros earned their places through the PGA Professional Championship in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Tyler Collet led the field by an incredible 10 strokes, and Michael Block—famous for his 2023 T15 finish—qualified for his fourth straight PGA Championship. Block will be joined by 18 others. While their efforts are respected, the size of this contingent is raising questions in the golf world.
Record-breaking. Consistent. Dominant.
Tyler Collet is our 2025 PGA Professional Champion. 💪 pic.twitter.com/rSMaQhOugC
— PGA of America (@PGA) April 30, 2025
On the Fried Egg Golf podcast, Joseph LaMagna voiced what many feel: though the inclusion is a tradition and a nice perk, 20 spots is excessive, especially when world-class players are being left out. Brendan Porath added that the U.S. Open allows many into the field through open qualifiers, often giving rising global talents a shot, while the PGA Championship reserves a fixed block for club professionals—many of whom fail to make the cut. Historically, standout performances by club pros are rare. Since 1970, only two club professionals—Tommy Bolt and Sam Snead, both former Tour pros—have cracked the top 10. Before Michael Block’s 2023 run, the last top-20 finish came in 1988.
Block’s incredible showing at Oak Hill, including a hole-in-one with Rory McIlroy as his partner, remains a standout moment. Although he missed the cut in 2024 and hasn’t made one on the PGA TOUR since, his story continues to capture fans’ attention. Some light-hearted moments came up in the podcast too, including mention of Andy Mickelson—no relation to Phil—who came close to qualifying.
The larger debate is about balancing tradition with merit. In today’s hyper-competitive golf landscape, should 20 club professionals still be guaranteed spots, or should that number be reduced to make room for more elite players?
As for the 2025 field, data modeling from SportsLine has made some bold predictions. Despite being a two-time major winner, Collin Morikawa is expected to finish outside the top 10 due to concerns over his lack of distance and putting struggles. He’s winless in 18 months. On the other hand, Patrick Cantlay—an underrated name at 28-1 odds—is emerging as a sleeper pick. His top-tier ball-striking stats and consistent finishes could make him a surprise contender.
With Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy leading the odds at 5-1, the upcoming PGA Championship promises drama and surprises—and perhaps, renewed scrutiny of who gets to tee it up on one of golf’s biggest stages.