<P> In line with the other majors, winning "the PGA" gains privileges that improve career security . PGA champions are automatically invited to play in the other three majors (Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship) for the next five years, and are exempt from qualifying for the PGA Championship for life . They receive membership on the PGA and European Tours for the following five seasons and invitations to The Players Championship for five years . The PGA Championship has been held at a large number of venues, some of the early ones now quite obscure, but currently it is usually staged by one of a small group of celebrated courses, each of which has also hosted several other leading events, including the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (November 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (November 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In 1894, with 41 golf courses operating in the United States, two unofficial national championships for amateur golfers were organized . One was held at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island, and the other at St. Andrew's Golf Club in New York . In addition, and at the same time as the amateur event, St. Andrew's conducted an Open championship for professional golfers . None of the championships was officially sanctioned by a governing body for American golf, causing considerable controversy among players and organizers . Later in 1894 this led to the formation of the United States Golf Association (USGA), which became the first formal golf organization in the country . After the formation of the USGA, golf quickly became a sport of national popularity and importance . </P>

Who gets to play in the pga championship