A total of 156 players are heading to Kentucky for the second major golf tournament of the season, the PGA Championship. Among them, the PGA Tour has the largest representation, with 16 LIV golfers and 21 club professionals excluded from the count.
Return to Valhalla
The PGA Championship returns to Valhalla Golf Club for the fourth time. The last time it was held here was in 2014, where Rory McIlroy claimed victory.
Top Contenders
Scottie Scheffler
In the last five times Scottie has played, he’s won four times. He’s ranked number one in several key metrics like overall strokes gained, driving, tee-to-green play, and approach shots. With ten PGA Tour wins under his belt, he’s having an exceptional season, especially after fixing some issues with his short game by switching to a mallet putter. Although he’s been off the course for almost a month, he’s returning with confidence, believing it won’t affect his performance in the upcoming major. Scheffler is poised to add a third major title to his collection, as there’s seemingly no weakness in his game that could derail his plans.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy comes into the tournament as a strong contender. He possesses exceptional skills off the tee, ranking highly in various statistics such as strokes gained off the tee, tee-to-green, and driving distance. McIlroy’s last major victory was at Valhalla in 2014, adding to his confidence on this course.
Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele, despite not having won since July 2022, remains a consistent performer with multiple top-ten finishes this season. His prowess on par-4s, along with solid performance in key statistics like scoring average and strokes gained off the tee, positions him as a potential contender.
Ludvig Aberg
Making his major debut, Ludvig Aberg has shown promise with several top-ten finishes this season. Aberg’s strengths, particularly his long driving ability, align well with the demands of Valhalla. Despite his rookie status, he has displayed maturity and composure in previous tournaments.
Wyndham Clark
Wyndham Clark, despite a relatively short career, has quickly risen in the ranks of professional golf. His exceptional driving distance and recent top-ten finishes make him a notable competitor at Valhalla. Clark’s performance at Quail Hollow may not have been stellar, but his power off the tee could give him an edge on this course.
Other Contenders
Max Homa and Collin Morikawa are also expected to be competitive, given their recent strong performances in major tournaments. Homa has shown consistency with two consecutive top-ten finishes, while Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Champion, is aiming for another strong showing after a disappointing Masters performance.
