Fifteen former champions will compete in the 96th PGA Championship being staged from Aug. 7-10 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

They include defending champion Jason Dufner, Rory McIlroy (2012 PGA Champion and 2014 Open Champion), Keegan Bradley (2011), Martin Kaymer (2010 PGA Champion and 2014 U.S. Open Champion), Tiger Woods (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007) and Phil Mickelson (2005). Others who have committed include 2014 Masters Champion Bubba Watson as well as world No. 1 Adam Scott.

Joining the top players in the world at the 96th PGA Championship will be 20 PGA Club Professionals, who earned berths in the field at Valhalla by finishing in the top 20 at the 2014 PGA Professional National Championship in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in June.

Tom Watson and Paul McGinley, the 2014 United States and European Ryder Cup Captains, respectively, are also exempt into the field this year.

The 96th PGA Championship, which features the strongest field in golf, is also the final official points event to determine the first nine members of the 2014 United States Ryder Cup Team. Watson will select the final three players who will represent the U.S. Team that will compete against Europe in the 40th Ryder Cup, Sept. 26-28 at Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland.

Jaon Dufner plants a kiss on the Rodman Wanamaker trophy. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)