tour championship number of players

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share by Email

Here are the starting positions for all 30 players at the Tour Championship

• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Instagram

Scottie Scheffler holds the top spot in the FedEx Cup standings heading into the Tour Championship.

Getty Images

After 12 months, 44 events and tens of millions of prize money handed out, just one event remains on the 2021-22 PGA Tour schedule — the Tour Championship. The annual event is hosted at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and welcomes the top 30 players in the FedEx Cup standings, making it one of the strongest fields of the entire season.

The limited field isn’t the only unique aspect of the Tour Championship. The purse is the largest on Tour, with $75 million up for grabs, and the field starts with handicapped scores as well.

Your complete guide to the FedEx Cup Playoffs

While it might be odd to see Tour pros begin the week on uneven footing, the handicap system is meant to reward players for their season-long performance in the FedEx Cup. Prior to 2019, the Tour Championship winner was not necessarily the FedEx Cup champion, and it made for some awkward dual award ceremonies on the 18th green. This system eliminates that possibility and ensures that the winner of the final event of the season is also the season-long FedEx Cup champion.

“As soon as the Tour Championship begins, any fan — no matter if they’ve followed the PGA Tour all season or are just tuning in for the final event — can immediately understand what’s going on and what’s at stake for every single player in the field,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said when the new format was unveiled. “And, of course, players will know exactly where they stand at all times while in play, which will ratchet up the drama, consequence and volatility of the competition down the stretch.”

Last season, Patrick Cantlay began the week atop the leaderboard and held off a charging Jon Rahm to claim the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup titles.

Here are the starting positions for all 30 players this week.

Tour Championship starting positions

10 under: Scottie Scheffler

Eight under: Patrick Cantlay

Seven under: Will Zalatoris

Six under: Xander Schauffele

Five under: Sam Burns

Four under: Cameron Smith, Rory McIlroy, Tony Finau, Sepp Straka, Sungaje Im

Three under: Jon Rahm, Scott Stallings, Justin Thomas, Cameron Young, Matthew Fitzpatrick

Two under: Max Homa, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Joaquin Niemann, Viktor Hovland

One under: Collin Morikawa, Billy Horschel, Tom Hoge, Corey Conners, Brian Harman

Even par: K.H. Lee, J.T. Poston, Sahith Theegala, Adam Scott, Aaron Wise

Latest In News

Pga tour-pif dealmaker resigns, citing ‘no meaningful progress’, ‘i got sick of myself’: pga sensation michael block gets honest about whirlwind year, rory mcilroy's fascinating feel, rose zhang's wild finish | monday finish, 5 surprising players you won't see at the 2024 pga championship, zephyr melton.

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at [email protected].

• Author Twitter Account
• Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

Viktor hovland's improved short game can be tied to 1 wedge change, east lake complaints, hovland's message, coaching changes | monday finish, viktor hovland's ping driver underwent an incredible transformation | wall-to-wall, viktor hovland's lethal play he made these 3 fixes, behind 7 cunning steps, viktor hovland may have just become the next superstar, with 1 simple statement, rory mcilroy explains why controversial tour championship format works, tour confidential: an $18 million viktory, fan gambling, u.s. ryder cup picks, winner's bag: viktor hovland's gear at the 2023 tour championship, viktor hovland holds off xander schauffele to win tour championship.

Tour Championship 2023: All 30 Qualifiers And Where They Start At East Lake

Here's how the final 30 players in the FedExCup standings after the BMW Championship will begin the Tour Championship

• Sign up to Golf Monthly Newsletter Newsletter

Viktor Hovland was the toast of the BMW Championship after his course-record 61 to pip Scottie Scheffler but it is the World No.1 who will tee off in the best position in the Tour Championship after the 30-man field was confirmed.

The season's lucrative Playoff finale for the $18m first prize will once again feature a staggered start beginning in the first round at East Lake in Atlanta where Scheffler starts top of the leaderboard at 10-under before a ball is even hit following the first two Playoffs events.

That's because the FedExCup points leader begins the championship at 10-under par and the No. 2 player, Hovland, will start at 8-under.

The No. 3 player, Rory McIlroy , starts at 7-under, the No. 4 player starts at 6-under and the No. 5 player starts at 5-under.

Players listed 6-10 start at 4-under, players 11-15 start at 3-under, golfers 16-20 start at 2-under, those 21-25 start at 1-under; and players 26-30 start at even par.

At the end of Sunday, the player with the lowest stroke total over 72 holes when combined with his FedExCup starting strokes will be crowned the FedExCup champion, be credited with an official victory at the Tour Championship, earn a bonus of $18m and a five-year PGA Tour exemption.

Scheffler is in the box seat going into Thursday's first round after a consistent season with two wins from 22 event plus two runner-up finishes, 16 top tens and 20 top 25 finishes as he has pocketed over $21m in prize money. 

Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter

Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.

After the American, Hovland starts on eight-under after two wins, one runner-up place and eight top 10s from 22 events for just over $14.1m in prize money. Then next is McIlroy on seven-under with two wins , two runner-up finishes and 12 top 10s from 17 events for $13.9m as he defends his title.

BMW Championship winner Viktor Hovland starts at 8-under, two back of Scheffler

Jon Rahm starts at six-under teeing off with McIlroy after four wins from 19 events for $16.5m in a season that has included one missed cut and one withdrawal. 

In-form Lucas Glover , who won back to back recently, starts at five-under before Max Homa , Patrick Cantlay , Brian Harman, Wyndham Clark and Matt Fitzpatrick start at four-under.

For all the jockeying for position over 72 holes at Olympia Fields Country Club in the BMW, only Fitzpatrick - who has over $8.1m prize money this season - was able to play his way into the Tour Championship as the field was cut from 50 to the final 30.

Despite starting the final round as joint leader, Fitzpatrick, who shot 66, had no complaints with Hovland's win, he said. “Just really pleased again that I played really well final round in contention with world No. 1, and I didn't lose it. Someone else came from behind and won it.”

After Fitzpatrick and Co. tee off , then it is Tommy Fleetwood , Russell Henley, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele at three-under.

Tom Kim, Sungjae Im, Tony Finau, Corey Conners and Si Woo Kim are two-under. Taylor Moore, Nick Taylor, Adam Schenk, Collin Morikawa and Jason Day are one-under. While Sam Burns, Emiliano Grillo, Tyrrell Hatton, Jordan Spieth and Sepp Straka start level par.

Tour Championship starting scores:

• -10 Scottie Scheffler
• -8 Viktor Hovland
• -7 Rory McIlroy
• -6 Jon Rahm
• -5 Lucas Glover
• -4 Max Homa, Patrick Cantlay, Brian Harman, Wyndham Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick
• -3 Tommy Fleetwood, Russell Henley, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele
• -2 Tom Kim, Sungjae Im, Tony Finau, Corey Conners, Si Woo Kim
• -1 Taylor Moore, Nick Taylor, Adam Schenk, Collin Morikawa, Jason Day
• E Sam Burns, Emiliano Grillo, Tyrrell Hatton, Jordan Spieth, Sepp Straka

James Nursey is a freelance contributor to Golf Monthly after spending over 20 years as a sports reporter in newspapers. During a 17-year career with the Daily Mirror, he covered mainly football but reported from The Open annually and also covered a Ryder Cup and three US Opens. He counts a pre-tournament exclusive with Justin Rose at Merion in 2013 as one of his most memorable as the Englishman went on to win his first Major and later repeated much of the interview in his winner’s speech.  Now, after choosing to leave full-time work in newspapers, James, who is a keen single-figure player, is writing about golf more.  His favourite track is the Old Course after attending St Andrews University but has since played mainly at Edgbaston, where he is a long-time member. James’ golfing highlights include previously winning the club championship and scratch knock-out there. He is also an active member of the Association of Golf Writers and Press Golfing Society but his favourite round is playing the game with his young children. James is currently playing:  Driver: Ping G400 3 wood: Ping i20 Hybrid: Ping i20 Irons: Ping i500 4-SW Wedges: Ping Glide forged 50, 56 Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Ball: Titleist ProVIx

We look back through all the winning totals recorded in the long and storied history of the PGA Championship

By Andrew Wright Published 13 May 24

Dunne said there has been a "lack of meaningful progress" towards a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf backers

PGA Championship hero Michael Block appears as the tournament heads to a new venue

By Mike Hall Published 30 October 23

The YouTube group signed a deal with Callaway at the start of 2023 and will release their second limited-edition product together

By Ben Fleming Published 26 October 23

YouTube star and CEO of gaming organisation 100 Thieves 'Nadeshot' achieved the feat in little over an hour having rented out a course to put his skills to the test

Ewen Ferguson defends his title as the DP World Tour heads to the Middle East at Doha Golf Club

By Mike Hall Published 23 October 23

High winds caused some of the Andalucia Masters' first round to be played behind closed doors due to fears over fan safety

By Ben Fleming Published 19 October 23

Gordon Sargent is the first player to earn his Tour card through the new PGA TOUR University Accelerated system

The American endured a torrid time in Rome but the experience has motivated him to try and represent the US again next summer

The two team captains suggest they have already been in contact with several notable players about making the jump in the off-season

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Accessibility statement
• Cookies policy
• Advertise with us

Golf Monthly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

PGA TOUR Player Stats 2022-23

• Statistics are updated nightly
• AGE : Current age of player
• EARNINGS : Official money won
• CUP : FedExCup Points
• EVNTS : Tournaments played
• RNDS : Rounds played
• CUTS : Cuts made
• TOP10 : Top 10 finishes
• WINS : Wins
• SCORE : Scoring average per round
• DDIS : Driving distance (in yards)
• DACC : Driving accuracy %
• GIR : Greens In Regulation %
• PUTTS : Putts per hole
• SAND : Save Percentage
• BIRDS : Birdies per round
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Disney Ad Sales Site
• Work for ESPN
• Corrections

2024 TOUR Championship tickets on sale to general public

TOUR Championship announces record $6.96 million donation from 2023 tournament

TOUR Championship recognized for commitments, actions, and progress in sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY

TOUR Championship launches elevated 2024 corporate hospitality program

HOSPITALITY

TOUR Championship debuts new shared hospitality option, The Georgian, for 2024 event

Viktor Hovland claims 2023 FedExCup title

LEADERBOARD

Hospitality

Inquire Now

Community Impact

https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pcs/click?xai=AKAOjstSa-ZgLf6b6lu7cqOqaqAhBl-Fb-I-tNlnH6ukNjAmmV3oa69JV2f8ia1PoFSqI24FcIoohf14k3y0ZkB32Vh6np9QXdpTLsZCT9knJvq88K_UHs2RcT5bqm7qV4RnHjehOgAe-wCCPRK3Qceq62XsfNYOXsBbpqmbUPC5M1aGpnyVnuoncKUZxNw-c4XIulcynKpc0gr7H3i9n2D38k0JSueadEQRjsSl1WDKW10O6P89sDDHAJmIkChMRyFjNtBSDw_J8FT3GZDWVQ92tX5a7-K3O5T6pCfPURWriYljJHXSf-JYDOI31cjPc921YLs7KLJjmCNCj-GT6U6jGutJB8VcheRJiQo5Mzw0BN1EHEbh0Lm6rw&sai=AMfl-YRnBwQfUd82Uw-99SaG5tx68F1Q8kdLmRikoACLjeOTk7X7xt2I0I__31MkyWDOQD_AMF1U8ws0mxJWzppcNvsvJqGkXeD8sXeTB24oPgNPk7QHz77mmIRM_SPT7uukkQ&sig=Cg0ArKJSzEVZZFx5B2sX&fbs_aeid=[gw_fbsaeid]&adurl=https://www.pgatourfanshop.com/%3F_s%3Dbm-PGATOUR-Banner-420x90-1.18.22&nm=2&nx=156&ny=-35&mb=2

2023 Champion

Viktor Hovland

Viktor Hovland played the best golf of his life in the final two weeks of the PGA TOUR season, and it paid off Sunday with the biggest trophy of his career -- a FedExCup title along with the $18 million bonus.

6335691121112

Tournament News

See All News

https://pgatour.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b0ZNcfzgJ5i9dae?Source=TOURChampTile

https://pgatour.app.link/yc9KXlRYYob

• SI SWIMSUIT
• SI SPORTSBOOK

Power Rankings: Expect Stars to Shine at PGA Championship

Jim stracka | 3 hours ago.

Welcome to Power Rankings, a weekly feature on SI Golf from our partners at KeyCompete . This week the golf world has landed in Valhalla for the 2024 PGA Championship, and an elite field is set to tee off. Here’s how our model sees this week’s event event shaping up:

2024 PGA Championship Preview

Designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1986, Valhalla has a rich history and presents a formidable test. Recent renovations have further enhanced the course's beauty and playability, ensuring that it remains a favorite among players and spectators alike. The par-71 will play at 7,609 yards this week. Here are 10 players our model likes this week. 

KeyCompete’s 2024 PGA Championship Power Rankings ( Odds from DraftKings )

1.  Scottie Scheffler (+400) - The new dad and World No. 1 arrives at Valhalla as the undisputed man to beat.

2.  Rory McIlroy (+700) - Hard to believe his last major title came here in 2014. Fresh off a win at the Wells Fargo, things appear to be clicking at the perfect time to end his major drought.

3.  Xander Schauffele (+1400) - Hung in with Rory at Wells Fargo and no shame in falling short. Due to win his first major. This could be the week.

4.  Brooks Koepka (+1400) - Four-time major champion thrives in the spotlight , and Valhalla presents an ideal stage for his aggressive style. Should be a factor.

5.  Ludvig Aberg (+1800) - Surprised at Augusta and his fearless approach and prodigious talent should make him a factor again at Valhalla.

6.  Jon Rahm (+1600) - Enters with a chip on his shoulder after lackluster showing as defending champion at the Masters. Top 10 in every LIV golf event so far this year.

7.  Bryson DeChambeau (+2500) - Contended all weekend at Augusta and has had a solid season on LIV. Power and accuracy will play well at Valhalla.

8.  Wyndham Clark (+3500) - Arguably the Tour’s third-best player this year behind Scheffler and McIlroy. Another player with a power game to handle Valhalla.

9.  Collin Morikawa (+2500) - The 2020 PGA Championship winner features his trademark ball-striking and cool demeanor. Couldn’t hang with Scheffler at Augusta but only missed a couple of shots that Sunday.

10.  Cameron Smith (+3500) - Creativity and resilience make him a formidable competitor. Quiet top 10 at Augusta. 

2024 Wells Fargo Championship Recap

Rory McIlroy returned to the winner’s circle in dramatic fashion, pulling away from Xander Schauffele on Sunday at Quail Hollow to win the Wells Fargo for the fourth time in his career.  

 KeyCompete had a solid week with our matchup picks, and brought our yearly record to 83-55.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

JIM STRACKA

Jim Stracka is currently serving as the President of StrackaLine and Golf Intelligence. StrackaLine provides greens and yardage guides for every course in the world. Golf Intelligence provides GPS, elevation, and scorecard data for other golf technology companies. Stracka has also held executive roles in various companies in the golf industry.

Wells Fargo Championship

Quail Hollow Club

THREE AT HOME GOLF EXERCISES

Ranking The Field

PGA Championship 2024: Power rankings for the entire field at Valhalla

Can anyone beat Scottie Scheffler ? Another major week is upon us, and word is unclear whether the Schefflers have welcomed their first baby into the world. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have also won in their last starts ahead of the 2024 PGA Championship. There's so much to pack as this star-studded field descends upon Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, the host for the 106th PGA Championship .

Just 30 days ago, Scheffler separated himself from the field at Augusta National and captured his second Masters green jacket. He hasn’t lost since then, and he brings that streak to our season’s second major championship.

RELATED: PGA Championship DFS picks 2024: Why Brooks Koepka is an easy bet at Valhalla

It has been 10 years since we visited Valhalla, when McIlroy was victorious —but it's also the site of his last major championship given his 10-year winless drought. Of course, the defending PGA champion is Brooks Koepka, and just like he did last year, he has won in his last start on LIV. Below you will read my rankings of the top 70 players in the field. Below them, the competitors are broken into segments. Included are all of the relevant facts and figures you will need to win your PGA Championship pool, outright or prop bets or PGA Pro club contest!

Valhalla Golf Club

Louisville, ky.

• 100 Greatest
• Best In State

I have designed these rankings to be a fantastic reference tool. Take a moment to peruse the key in case any of the information below is baffling. Then dive right in and bookmark this article link. You are going to need it Monday through Sunday to ensure all of your trifectas in Louisville lead you to collect at the window on Sunday night!

• Age: Self-explanatory and gives great perspective. Some of these guys are older than you think. Did you know Jordan Spieth is 30?!
• Odds to win: These are the futures odds listed for each player across multiple domestic betting boards.
• OWGR/Data Golf: Let’s face the facts, the OWGR is incomplete. To give us a better top line view of player performance, I also included the Data Golf rankings .
• Player trend: This list is meant to be an immediate reference tool for next week. Quite simply, what direction is a player’s game heading since the Masters. Up is good, down is bad and everyone loves emojis.
• PGA Championship appearances/cuts made: The number of times a player has competed in the tournament along with the number of successful cuts made.
• Best PGA Championship finish: Again, another quick reference tool. In the past 10 years, eight of the PGA champions have finished inside the top 8 prior to winning. (Exceptions: Justin Thomas, 18th and Collin Morikawa as a rookie.) PGA Championship experience counts!
• Notes: A quick summary for each player to pique or deter your interest in his chances to win or play well in the 106th PGA Championship.

More PGA Championship coverage

Nos. 126 and beyond

The PGA Championship has such incredible depth and the task of ranking each player is really fun. The "126 and beyond" section is covered in Corebridge Financial Team members, global qualifiers and past champions. I recommend you Google a couple of the names in this group. CFT member PGA Professional Tracy Phillips is 61 years old! Ben Polland just won the PGA Professional National Championship.

Each major has a unique aspect to the field: the Masters and its amateur invitees, the U.S. Open and Open Championship qualifiers, and the PGA Championship has its amazing stories of the PGA of America's members who fulfill their dream by making this field. Will there be another “Block Party?," set into motion by another incredible storyline from a pro? We sure hope so.

Rich Beem, Josh Bevell (CFT), Evan Bowser (CFT), Preston Cole (CFT), Tyler Collet (CFT), John Daly, Matt Dobyns (CFT), Larkin Gross (CFT), Jared Jones (CFT), Takumi Kanaya, Jeff Kellen (CFT), Kazuma Kobori, Ben Kohles, Kyle Mendoza (CFT), Shaun Micheel, Jesse Mueller (CFT), Zac Oakley (CFT), Adrian Otaegui, C.T. Pan, Tracy Phillips (CFT), Ben Polland (CFT), Braden Shattuck (CFT), John Somers (CFT), Josh Speight (CFT), Jesper Svensson, Ryan van Velzen, Jimmy Walker, Jeremy Wells (CFT), Tim Widing, Wyatt Worthington II (CFT) and Y.E. Yang.

RELATED: Michael Block on his 'Year of Blockie!'

Nos. 101-125

David Puig played in a number of Asian Tour events and earned victories in Malayasia in February and Singapore in October during off weeks from LIV. The 22-year-old earned a special invitation to the PGA Championship.

How Foo Yeen/R&A

The process of building these rankings can create some very interesting comparisons. Who would have thought three years ago Phil Mickelson would win the PGA Championship at Kiawah at nearly 51 years old? A few slots lower, we have the even more unbelievable saga of Michael Block at Oak Hill . Both he and Brad Marek are the only two Corebridge Financial Team members in the field who have made the cut at a PGA Championship. Three more past champions populate this segment: Jimmy Walker, Jason Dufner and Martin Kaymer. Kaymer has two top-20 finishes in his last two LIV starts.

101. KH Lee, 102. Phil Mickelson, 103. Brad Marek (CFT), 104. Lee Hodges, 105. Brice Garnett, 106. Sebastian Soderberg, 107. Ben Griffin, 108. Alex Smalley, 109. Thirston Lawrence, 110. S.H. Kim, 111. Francesco Molinari, 112. Alexander Björk, 113. Nick Dunlap, 114. Charley Hoffman, 115. Sami Valimaki, 116. Martin Kaymer, 117. Peter Malnati, 118. Lucas Herbert, 119. Jason Dufner, 120. Michael Block (CFT), 121. Luke Donald, 122. Andy Ogletree, 123. Camillo Villegas, 124. David Puig (above), 125. Grayson Murray.

A 2024 PGA Championship Fantasy Preview

Nos. 71-100.

Taylor Pendrith won his first PGA Tour title two weeks ago at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, then backed it up with a T-10 last week at Quail Hollow.

Tim Heitman

Rickie Fowler, Taylor Pendrith ( above ), Billy Horschel, Emilaino Grillo and Erik Van Rooyen have all won on the PGA Tour since the last PGA Championship, and they all could make some noise. U.S. Open winner Gary Woodland is in the final year of his major exemption. The modern game is amazing, and the next generation of talent keeps pushing everyone. To win this week, you must possess great driving and excellent approach capabilities from long range. A few of these guys will supplant the lower ranked players and make the cut—can you predict who they might be?

71. Mackenzie Hughes, 72. Taylor Pendrith, 73. Adrian Meronk, 74. Adam Hadwin, 75. J.T. Poston, 76 . Andrew Putnam, 77. Zac Blair, 78. Keita Nakajima, 79. Maverick McNealy, 80. Emiliano Grillo, 81. Thomas Detry, 82. Billy Horschel, 83. Padraig Harrington, 84. Doug Ghim, 85 . Victor Perez, 86. Aaron Rai, 87. Rasmus Højgaard, 88. Beau Hossler, 89. Thorbjorn Olesen, 90. Gary Woodland, 91. Vincent Norrman, 92. Justin Rose, 93. Matt Wallace, 94 . Rickie Fowler, 95. Eric Cole, 96. Ryo Hisatsune, 97. Chris Gotterup, 98. Jordan Smith, 99. Alejandro Tosti, 100. Adam Svensson.

Ranking the top 70 players (with write-ups for the top 50)

70. andrew svoboda.

Age: 44 Odds to win: 500-1. OWGR/Data Golf: N/A, Corebridge Financial Team Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: Rookie Best PGA Championship finish: N/A

69. Jake Knapp

Brennan Asplen

Age: 29 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 51. Data Golf: 98. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: Rookie Best PGA Championship finish: N/A

68. Keith Mitchell

Age: 32 Odds to win: 100-1. OWGR: 78. Data Golf: 63. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 3. Best PGA Championship finish: 34th (2022)

67. Brendon Todd

Age: 38 Odds to win: 200-1. OWGR: 64. Data Golf: 60. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 2. Best PGA Championship finish: 17th (2020)

66. Tiger Woods

Age: 48 Odds to win: 100-1. OWGR: 801. Data Golf: N/A. Player trend: ❓ PGA Championship appearances: 22. Cuts made: 17. Best PGA Championship finish: Won (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007)

65. Robert MacIntyre

Age: 27 Odds to win: 180-1. OWGR: 84. Data Golf: 223. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 3. Best PGA Championship finish: 49th (2021)

64. Cam Davis

Age: 29 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 62. Data Golf: 78 Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 3. Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2023)

63. Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Age: 29 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 54. Data Golf: 24. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 30th (2021)

62. Mark Hubbard

Age: 34 Odds to win: 200-1. OWGR: 79. Data Golf: 74. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 2. Best PGA Championship finish: 51st (2020)

61. Kurt Kitayama

Age: 31 Odds to win: 100-1. OWGR: 48. Data Golf: 67. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 3.| Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2023)

60. Min Woo Lee

Age: 25 Odds to win: 65-1. OWGR: 34. Data Golf: 47. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 18th (2023)

59. Tom Hoge

Age: 34 Odds to win: 100-1. OWGR: 60. Data Golf: 39. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 4. Best PGA Championship finish: 9th (2022)

58. Erik van Rooyen

Age: 34 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 66. Data Golf: 71. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 2. Best PGA Championship finish: 8th (2019)

57. Patrick Rodgers

Age: 31 Odds to win: 250-1. OWGR: 77. Data Golf: 82. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 29th (2023)

56. Nick Taylor

Age: 36 Odds to win: 300-1. OWGR: 26. Data Golf: 77. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 68th (2015)

55. Lucas Glover

Age: 44 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 35. Data Golf: 45. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 12. Cuts made: 6. Best PGA Championship finish: 5th (2009)

54. Denny McCarthy

Age: 31 Odds to win: 180-1. OWGR: 31. Data Golf: 19. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 4. Best PGA Championship finish: 29th (2023)

53. Luke List

Age: 39 Odds to win: 250-1. OWGR: 67. Data Golf: 83. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 3. Best PGA Championship finish: 6th (2019)

52. Chris Kirk

Age: 38 Odds to win: 130-1. OWGR: 22. Data Golf: 31. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 9. Cuts made: 5. Best PGA Championship finish: 5th (2022)

51. Nicolai Højgaard

Age: 23 Odds to win: 130-1. OWGR: 36. Data Golf: 85. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 50th (2023)

50. Talor Gooch

Jason Butler

Age: 32 Odds to win: 100-1. OWGR: 644. Data Golf: 35. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 2. Best PGA Championship finish: 20th (2022)

An elite amongst strokes gained/social media leaderboards, Talor Gooch’s play over the last two LIV seasons garnered a special exemption into the PGA Championship field, and he warrants serious consideration. Gooch has 15 top-15 finishes in 20 events and three wins.

49. Austin Eckroat

Age: 25 Odds to win: 250-1. OWGR: 50. Data Golf: 65. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: Rookie Best PGA Championship finish: N/A

A 2024 PGA Tour winner, Austin Eckroat’s ball-striking is built for big courses. He’s ranked sixth in the Valhalla field for strokes gained T2G.

48. Dean Burmester

Age: 34 Odds to win: 65-1. OWGR: 130. Data Golf: 38. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 2. Best PGA Championship finish : 54th (2023)

Dean Burmester ranks third on the individual LIV season-long standings. That’s ahead of Brooks, DJ, Talor Gooch and Tyrrell Hatton. He has a win and six top-15 finishes in six starts.

47. Ryan Fox

Age: 37 Odds to win: 130-1. OWGR: 61. Data Golf: 143. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 4. Best PGA Championship finish: 23rd (2023)

Ryan Fox’s style of play fits a PGA Championship. He possesses incredible power and a competitive short game. Those are two keys that led to a top 25 at Oak Hill a year ago and a top-40 finish at Augusta National last month.

46. Russell Henley

Age: 35 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 18. Data Golf: 12. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 10. Cuts made: 7. Best PGA Championship finish: 12th (2015)

Russell Henley is ranked 18th in the world and even higher via Data Golf. Henley’s ability to do everything well earned him three top-10s in 10 starts this season. The former University of Georgia Bulldog has 11 top-10s at majors in his career, including 2021 at Torrey Pines (a decent comp course), where he was the 54-hole co-leader before fading on Sunday.

45. Alex Noren

Age: 41 Odds to win: 80-1. OWGR: 57. Data Golf: 22. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 11. Cuts made: 7. Best PGA Championship finish: 22nd (2020)

Alex Noren has won 10 times on the DP World Tour. Two weeks ago in Dallas, he finished third for his sixth top-25 result in a row. The Swede can compete in birdie-fests as well as events where he needs to grind out pars, where he can rely on a stellar short game.

44. Patrick Reed

Age: 33 Odds to win: 65-1. OWGR: 92. Data Golf: 55. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 10. Cuts made: 8 Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2017)

Last month, Patrick Reed finished 12th at the Masters and continues to play well in majors. Another top-20 result at Oak Hill a year ago was fueled by one of the world’s best short games.

43. Stephan Jaeger

Age: 33 Odds to win: 100-1. OWGR : 92. Data Golf: 55. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 1. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 50th (2023)

Stephan Jaeger is the only player to beat Scottie Scheffler in the past two months. Jaeger has picked up nearly 17 yards of distance off the tee in the past two years, making him one of the leading off-the-tee players—and he couples that with a very good short game, which should be a good combination at Valhalla.

42. Adam Schenk

Age: 32 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 45. Data Golf: 41. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 41st (2022)

Adam Schenk finished 12th at the Masters last month. Schenk struggled earlier in 2024 but is now showing the form that led to a ninth-place finish at the 2023 Tour Championship and consistent play this spring.

41. Matthieu Pavon

Age: 31 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 20. Data Golf: 54. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: Rookie Best PGA Championship finish: N/A

Matthieu Pavon is the only player on the PGA Tour ranked top 20 in strokes gained/approach and putting—two key skills for success at Valhalla. The Frenchman’s victory at Torrey Pines proves he has the potential to show some form in majors.

40. Si Woo Kim

Orlando Ramirez

Age: 28 Odds to win: 75-1. OWGR: 44. Data Golf: 21. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 8. Cuts made: 2. Best PGA Championship finish: 13th (2020)

Si Woo Kim is an elite ball-striker. Kim has gained positive strokes off the tee in 29 straight measured events. Wet Kentucky rough is going to present a serious challenge to the contenders, but Si Woo hits fairways and has a stellar short game.

39. Tom Kim

Age: 21 Odds to win: 65-1. OWGR: 23. Data Golf: 57. Player trend: ↘️ PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 0. Best PGA Championship finish: N/A

Tom Kim has tons of talent, but a lack of ball speed makes him feel as if he’s stuck in the mud. Over his past five starts, Kim continues to lose strokes to the field across the board. Valhalla’s length might be too much for Tom as just making the cut has been difficult for him at the PGA Championship.

38. Shane Lowry

Age: 37 Odds to win: 45-1. OWGR: 41. Data Golf: 49. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 12. Cuts made: 9. Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2021)

Shane Lowry has five top-25 results in his past six PGAs. Fresh off an Irish team win with Rory McIlroy at the Zurich Classic last month, Lowry’s putter might feel inspired by his countryman’s karaoke. When Shane shines with the flatstick, he contends.

37. Brian Harman

Age: 37 Odds to win: 65-1. OWGR: 9. Data Golf: 25. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 9. Cuts made: 5. Best PGA Championship finish: 13th (2017)

Brian Harman faces a narrow path to the top of the leaderboard in domestic major championships where rough is prevalent due to his lack of ball speed and distance. The defending Open champion is world class in other components, but 7,600 yards of soaking wet Valhalla rough will probably put too much of a reliance on his fantastic flatstick.

36. Sam Burns

Age: 27 Odds to win: 50-1. OWGR: 27. Data Golf: 27. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 2. Best PGA Championship finish: 20th (2022)

Sam Burns had a strong start to 2024 with four top 10s prior to the Masters. That early season ball-striking has left Burns. A missed cut at the Masters leaves him below his usual major ranking. Maybe his new baby will inspire a great off-the-tee week. He shook off the rust nicely at Quail Hollow.

35. Keegan Bradley

Age: 37 Odds to win: 200-1. OWGR: 19. Data Golf: 56. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 13. Cuts made: 11. Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2011)

Keegan Bradley’s game was built for PGA Championships. The Boston bomber won the PGA in his first try and has missed the cut only twice in 13 starts. If you’re looking for a value pick in DFS or prop bets, or a sneaky pool pick, Bradley’s a worthwhile shout.

34. Byeong Hun An

Age: 32 Odds to win: 80-1. OWGR: 32. Data Golf: 43. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 7. Cuts made: 4. Best PGA Championship finish: 22nd (2022)

Ben An was not in last year’s PGA Championship—he was ranked 140th in the OWGR but has ascended quickly in 2024. Fresh off another strong result at Quail Hollow, Ben is a fantastic sleeper pick to contend in Kentucky. His strength is driving and that will certainly help him differentiate. Keep this name to yourself prior to picking in your PGA betting pools.

33. Jason Day

Age: 36 Odds to win: 40-1. OWGR: 24. Data Golf: 48. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 14. Cuts made: 11. Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2015)

Jason Day has been a very good PGA Championship player throughout his career. He has six top 10s in this championship and a win (2015). In his past five starts, Day has been gaining over a stroke on the field with his driver. That’s good for two reasons, first that level of off-the-tee play will be an advantage. Two, if Jason continues to play like this, he will make the cut, and we will get to see all four of his outfits this week!

32. Adam Scott

Age: 43 Odds to win: 80-1. OWGR: 53. Data Golf: 29. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 22. Cuts made: 17. Best PGA Championship finish: 3rd (2006, 2018)

Adam Scott has played above the tour average in 2024. Going into Valhalla, his driver and putter have been hot. That combination is the key. In Scott’s last five starts he’s gaining nearly two strokes on the field with his flatstick and another two off the tee. Forty is the new thirty for a man who has six career top 10s in this championship.

31. Harris English

Age: 34 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 47. Data Golf: 36. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 7. Cuts made: 5. Best PGA Championship finish: 19th (2020)

Harris English finished top 25 at both The Players and the Masters. He’ll need to enhance his iron game this week to get serious on Sunday, but that driver and putter should surely have him playing the weekend.

30. Viktor Hovland

Age: 26 Odds to win: 30-1. OWGR: 7. Data Golf: 10. Player trend: ↘️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 4. Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2023)

Viktor Hovland is the season’s biggest mystery. The reigning FedEx Cup champion has worked with more coaches in 2024 than he has top-20 results. A textbook fit for the PGA Championship with his long-iron acumen and accurate driving, Hovland has some serious work to do. Viktor is an amazing talent and will draw attention at these high odds but were he to win I’m not sure the mystery would really be solved.

29. Tyrrell Hatton

Age: 32 Odds to win: 55-1. OWGR: 17. Data Golf: 8. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 9. Cuts made: 7. Best PGA Championship finish: 10th (2016, 2018)

Tyrrell Hatton’s consistent ball-striking makes him an excellent pick at Valhalla. This Kentucky championship will require great approach play, long/accurate driving and opportunistic putting—three skills Hatton continues to display on the LIV circuit. Don’t miss this pick if you’re looking for a solid middle-tier contender.

28. Jordan Spieth

Age: 30 Odds to win: 35-1. OWGR: 21. Data Golf: 37. Player trend: ↘️ PGA Championship appearances: 11. Cuts made: 9. Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2015)

As always, if you’re backing Jordan Spieth, be prepared for an epic roller-coaster. In his past five cut events, Spieth has missed the weekend four times! The issue is approach play. Even though he started the week off well at Quail Hollow, it was another average showing—I’m not sure this is the year for the Career Grand Slam.

27. Tommy Fleetwood

Age: 33 Odds to win: 45-1. OWGR: 11. Data Golf: 13. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 9. Cuts made: 6. Best PGA Championship finish: 5th (2022)

Tommy Fleetwood’s iron game is off. Fleetwood played well at Augusta National, and then he was awful at Harbour Town. Those two weeks are a perfect microcosm for his year. Tommy may take us all by surprise like he did last month down Magnolia Lane, but backing him in good conscience would mean ignoring the obvious issues he has been facing.

26. Taylor Moore

Age: 30 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 55. Data Golf: 58. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 1. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 72nd (2023)

Taylor Moore has successfully navigated every cut in 2024 (11 events). Moore’s success stems from great driving and a very solid short game. In his last five events, he’s gaining an average of four strokes on the field. This is another name most casual golf fans won’t know. This might be your sneakiest option in a PGA Championship pool to gain an edge on the rest of your participants.

25. Akshay Bhatia

Age: 22 Odds to win: 100-1. OWGR: 33. Data Golf: 33. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: Rookie Best PGA Championship finish: N/A

Akshay Bhatia is one of a handful of players entering the 106th PGA with two wins in the last year. The approach game is absolutely electric. In a world class field, this wonderkid is ranked top 10 SG/tee to green and gaining nearly five shots against the field with his iron game (on average). Bhatia will make birdies, and if scoring counts in your contest, then I suggest you consider the 22-year-old.

24. Corey Conners

Age: 32 Odds to win: 65-1. OWGR: 52. Data Golf: 34. Player trend: ↘️ PGA Championship appearances : 5. Cuts made: 3. Best PGA Championship finish: 12th (2023)

Major championships are the best time to earn points for the Presidents Cup team. Corey Conners is looking to lead that International squad this September in his home country. The PGA is the best fit for his game, and I believe we will all see that this week. Ranked third in GIRs, Conners’ consistency is key during weeks where accuracy matters so much.

23. Joaquin Niemann

Age: 25 Odds to win: 46-1. OWGR: 91. Data Golf: 7. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 6. Cuts made: 3. Best PGA Championship finish: 23rd (2022)

Joaquin Niemann has a very rocky relationship with the weekend at the PGA Championship. With two LIV wins and six top 10s in seven events he’s earned a good look on your outright card. He’s one a few guys in this middle tier who can win.

22. Sungjae Im

Age: 26 Odds to win: 55-1. OWGR: 38. Data Golf: 53. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 2. Best PGA Championship finish: 17th (2021)

Sungjae Im is trending in the right direction. At the RBC Heritage and Wells Fargo, Im looked like the Sungjae of old. That’s important because we need key components to our friendly pools and DFS games. Im has never been a household name, but fans know his ball-striking history. The trend is your friend here as Im impresses us for the third time in a row.

21. Cam Smith

Age: 30 Odds to win: 30-1. OWGR: 56. Data Golf: 28. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 8. Cuts made: 7. Best PGA Championship finish: 9th (2023)

Very little about Cam Smith’s game fit going into Oak hill last year. He finished ninth. Never a good choice soon after fishing season, we’ve hit May and Smith’s success is picking up. Cam has finished second in two of his past three LIV starts.

20. Dustin Johnson

Maddie Meyer

Age: 39 Odds to win: 35-1. OWGR: 379. Data Golf: 62. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 14. Cuts made: 10. Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2019, 2020)

I always believed Dustin Johnson would win a PGA Championship. The best player in the world for some time, his power and touch just fit perfectly. Years removed from those days, I still think there’s one more major run in him. Of the four annual options, the PGA still makes the most sense. We saw signs last year at Oak Hill and LACC. With a LIV win in Las Vegas a couple months ago, he has my attention.

19. Max Homa

Age: 33 Odds to win: 35-1. OWGR: 10. Data Golf: 15. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 3. Best PGA Championship finish: 13th (2022)

I asked Max Homa at The Players why he’s such a good fit at TPC Sawgrass. He replied, “because my misses are small.” Small misses and a positive putter are the keys this week in Kentucky. If Homa get build on the “major” momentum from the Masters, I think Valhalla makes great sense for golf’s greatest tour ambassador.

18. Sahith Theegala

Age: 26 Odds to win: 40-1. OWGR: 12. Data Golf: 14. Player trend: ⬆️ PGA Championship appearances: 1. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 40th (2023)

In six signature events this season, Sahith Theegala has two runners-up and a sixth place. Theegala finished ninth at The Players and got that first career win under his belt in the fall. Short game has always been the 26-year-old’s strength, but the ball-striking this season is vastly improved, and in turn, so have the results. He’s a new name for major championship contention—one we will hear for years to come.

17. Sepp Straka

Age: 31 Odds to win: 150-1. OWGR: 25. Data Golf: 42. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 3. Best PGA Championship finish: 7th (2023)

I don’t even want to write this because it will alter the PGA Championship betting odds. Sepp Straka is a huge sleeper this week. Not because he finished top 20 in three of his past four majors. Not because he’s an elite driver. Not because of his accurate long iron game and fabulous flatstick. The reason I love Sepp is Zoysiagrass. The fairways at Valhalla are Zoysia, and Straka’s record on this particular type of grass are proven.

16. Matt Fitzpatrick

Age: 29 Odds to win: 40-1. OWGR: 14. Data Golf: 16. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 8. Cuts made: 4. Best PGA Championship finish: 5th (2022)

Matt Fitzpatrick is gaining an average of four strokes on the field in his past five starts. That won’t scare Scottie Scheffler, but it’s very good. What I like about Fitzpatrick in major championships is how well-rounded he is. If you love backing players like Cantlay and Schauffele, then Matt should catch your eye. Especially when you consider he comes with much more favorable odds.

15. Tony Finau

Age: 34 Odds to win: 45-1. OWGR: 28. Data Golf: 30. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 9. Cuts made: 8. Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2020)

Tony Finau is a tee-to-green machine. A scorecard of 7,600 yards gives Tony an edge. Few players in the field can keep up with Finau’s ball speed. As a result, off the tee and approaches over 200 yards favor him. Finau’s issue is the flatstick. If the forecast remains wet, and the course plays super long, take Tony. His added length and accuracy will help bolster a lineup even with his faulty flatstick.

14. Hideki Matsuyama

Age: 32 Odds to win: 35-1. OWGR: 15. Data Golf: 17. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 11. Cuts made: 11. Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2016)

Hideki Matsuyama has been given the wagering world a lot of headaches lately. A very late WD at the start of Wells Fargo last week was just another example of the Matsuyama madness. Here’s why: If he’s healthy, Hideki is a real threat to win. Leverage your betting card or PGA pool on team Japan and you might just be saying sayonara.

13. Justin Thomas

Age: 31 Odds to win: 30-1. OWGR: 29. Data Golf: 20. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 8. Cuts made: 7. Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2017, 2022)

All pressure is self-induced. Will the PGA Championship in JT’s home state be too much? I don’t believe it will. Thomas’ ball-striking has been solid all season after a sketchy 2023 campaign. JT has five top-15 results in nine starts for 2024. He’s ranked 11th tee to green and ninth on approach. If those analytics don’t impress you, he has also won two of these.

12. Will Zalatoris

Age: 27 Odds to win: 35-1. OWGR: 30. Data Golf: 51. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 2. Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2022)

Will Zalatoris has played in two PGA Championships. He finished eighth and runner-up, losing to Thomas in a playoff at Southern Hills. Zalatoris is another whose game matches the PGA Championship character. You must be a great driver, incredible long iron player, and above average scorer. In majors, Zalatoris continues to contend because he knows how to do all three. Will’s lone tour win came at nearby TPC Southwind. Two similar designs, they both have Zoysiagrass fairways. Ball-strikers love that blade, watch out for Will.

11. Cameron Young

Age: 26 Odds to win: 40-1. OWGR: 16. Data Golf: 26. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 3rd (2022)

In his past eight majors, Cameron Young has five top 10s. Few players can boast that kind of elite record. Young uses his incredible power and accuracy to tame the toughest tracks. The New York native also has two top 10s in his past three starts. Valhalla will be a brutal test, and he can separate when the long game really matters. A bad pick for a regular birdiefest, back this slugger in Louisville.

10. Collin Morikawa

Andrew Redington

Age: 27 Odds to win: 25-1. OWGR: 13. Data Golf: 9. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 4. Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2020)

I loved seeing Collin Morikawa back in the mix at the Masters. The 2020 PGA champion has the long iron accuracy to contend on any major course. With soft conditions looming, those approach skills will help him differentiate himself. In his four PGA starts, Morikawa has gained an average of 10 strokes on the field. The best player of his age group on these tests is back in the conversation.

9. Patrick Cantlay

Age: 32 Odds to win: 31-1. OWGR: 8. Data Golf: 6. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 7. Cuts made: 6. Best PGA Championship finish: 3rd (2019)

A major comparison course for Valhalla is Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village Golf Club. Patrick Cantlay is an annual contender at the Memorial. Architects have traits, and Jack’s course characteristics can be seen clearly in both. Cantlay has been very average by his standards this season. Patrick must make a push here. His major resume needs a couple of wins and what better place to break through than a course your completely comfortable on.

8. Bryson DeChambeau

Age: 30 Odds to win: 31-1. OWGR: 117. Data Golf: 18. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 6. Cuts made: 4. Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2020, 2023)

Very few courses actually fit Bryson DeChambeau. In many ways, that must be very frustrating. Valhalla is a DeChambeau-style design. Soft conditions mean it will fit him even more. The longest player in the game will attack this course like Winged Foot in 2020 where he won the U.S. Open. The beauty of Bryson will also be his gameplan and touch. An excellent putter can allow him to score in ways others just cannot. That advantage is why he led at Augusta and even more why a PGA Championship will be his next major.

7. Wyndham Clark

Age: 30 Odds to win: 25-1. OWGR: 3. Data Golf: 11. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 1. Best PGA Championship finish: 75th (2021)

Wyndham Clark’s return to Wells Fargo could have been better. Clark also missed the cut at the Masters after an unbelievable start to the season. Fact is, Wyndham is part of the outright winner conversation because of his ability complement raw power with world class touch. On the PGA Tour, he has been a top three player with Schauffele and Scheffler. Can Clark contend again in a big spot? I say yes. Honestly, I really don’t even feel like we have witnessed Wyndham’s full potential. If he goes there this week, he’s one a few who can keep pace with Scottie.

6. Ludvig Åberg

Age: 24 Odds to win: 16-1. OWGR : 6. Data Golf: 3. Player trend: 🔥 PGA Championship appearances: Rookie. Best PGA Championship finish: N/A

The best player to have never played in a major championship rolled up to Magnolia Lane and finished runner-up. I’m not concerned about Ludvig Åberg’s knee and the WD last week at Wells Fargo. This is a rookie! Last year in college, he would have played seven or eight events a semester. He’s played 24 tournaments and a Ryder Cup since leaving school less than a year ago. If anything, this week of rest shows he understands what is most important. Take a break before the big week. Åberg has every skill needed for a deep run this weekend and we all know it.

5. Xander Schauffele

Age: 30 Odds to win: 16-1. OWGR: 4. Data Golf: 2. Player trend: ⬆️ PGA Championship appearances: 7. Cuts made: 5. Best PGA Championship finish: 10th (2020)

What does Schauffele’s disappointing Sunday at Quail Hollow mean for Quail Hollow? Well, for the second time in 2024, he let a 54-hole lead slip away. Xander backers will say that Rory just outplayed him, but even par on a Sunday in a signature event won’t ever get the job done. Schauffele is one of the most well-rounded players in the field. He will be part of the Sunday conversation, but unfortunately just like last week, it’s likely he’ll record his ninth top-10 finish of 2024 but stay winless since July 2022.

4. Jon Rahm

Age: 29 Odds to win: 14-1. OWGR: 5. Data Golf: 5. Player trend: ➡️ PGA Championship appearances: 7. Cuts made: 6. Best PGA Championship finish : 4th (2018

Imagine how angry Jon Rahm must’ve been after his performance at the Masters. We were fuming after making him No. 1 in these rankings and backing him, but we know the Spaniard was running way hotter. I believe Rahm is still a member of the big three at the top. Throughout his career, he has dominated on courses like Valhalla. Torrey Pines, Muirfield Village, Riviera and Augusta National are great examples. There’s no doubt Rahm’s adjustment to life on LIV is a work in progress, but rest assured it is major season and there won’t be any DJs dropping beats at Valhalla.

3. Rory McIlroy

Age: 35 Odds to win: 12-1. OWGR: 2. Data Golf: 4. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 15. Cuts made: 14. Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2012, 2014)

There’s no doubting McIlroy is a generational talent who over his entire career has gained over six strokes on average against the field. He’s also riding in hot off the commanding win at Quail Hollow, a strong comp course with the elite off-the-tee and long-iron game required, and a team win in New Orleans. McIlroy is habitually at the top of major leaderboards, no matter the venue, with has seven top 10s in his last nine. When it comes to major No. 5 on Rory’s resume, don’t stop believin’.

2. Brooks Koepka

Age: 34 Odds to win: 16-1. OWGR: 37. Data Golf: 50. Player trend: ↗️ PGA Championship appearances: 11. Cuts made: 11. Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2018, 2019, 2023)

Brooks Koepka has successfully defended two major championships. Koepka just won LIV Singapore two weeks ago. Brooks has six top 10s and three wins in his last nine PGA Championships. Oak Hill is an excellent comp course for Valhalla. Another interesting comp that really catches my attention is the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club. Koepka captured that title on the same exact agronomy as we will see this week in Kentucky. He’s confident, he will be comfortable, and quite honestly can beat Scottie Scheffler.

1. Scottie Scheffler

Age: 27 Odds to win: +450 OWGR: 1. Data Golf: 1/1 Player trend: 🔥🔥 PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 3. Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2023)

In his past five starts, Scottie Scheffler is gaining an average of 15 strokes against the field! Not since the days of Tiger Woods have we seen such ball-striking supremacy. Unless there’s a conflict due to the birth of baby Scheffler, there’s no reason why Scottie would not win. Scheffler beat one player by four and the rest of the field by seven last month at a very difficult Masters. He’s gaining 15 strokes on everyone per tournament. If there’s one pick to win the 106th PGA Championship it has to be the undisputed number one player in the world.

Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor and content partner with Golf Digest and founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the LPGA and PGA TOUR. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter here and raise your golf betting acumen. Keith's winning content can also be found on Sports Grid, Bleacher Report and The Sporting News. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_ .

Looking back at the winningest players in PGA Championship history

These players have stepped up on the pga championship stage, by max molski • published 1 hour ago.

The PGA Championship has long been a tournament for golf legends to embrace the big stage.

While there’s no green jacket or Claret Jug up for grabs, the major is annually one of the marquee events on the PGA Tour . From Jack to Tiger, it’s taken some top-tier performances from the sport’s greatest players to earn the PGA Championship crown.

Who has won the most PGA Championships, and who will enter this year’s tournament as the reigning champion?

Here’s a look back at PGA Championship winners ahead of the 2024 edition at Valhalla:

Get San Diego local news, weather forecasts, sports and lifestyle stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC San Diego newsletters.

Which golfer has won the most PGA Championships?

Walter Hagen and Jack Nicklaus are the winningest players in PGA Championship history with five titles apiece.

Hagen got his first win in 1921 and went on to rattle off four straight tournaments from 1924 to 1927. His victories all came during the PGA Championship’s match play era, which ran from 1916 to 1957 before it turned into a stroke play tournament.

Nicklaus’ success was more spread out, as his triumphs came in 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1980.

Everything to know for the 2024 PGA Championship

Where is the PGA Championship? Here's a look at this year's host course and future locations

How many pga championships has tiger woods won.

Tiger Woods has four PGA Championship wins, trailing only Hagen and Nicklaus all-time. 

Woods went back-to-back at the PGA Championship on separate occasions. His first two came in 1999 and 2000, and he pulled off a repeat once again with titles in 2006 and 2007.

Who is the oldest PGA Championship winner?

Phil Mickelson became the oldest winner in PGA Championship history when he won the 2021 tournament at 50 years old.

Who is the youngest PGA Championship winner?

The record for youngest PGA Championship winner has stood for more than 100 years, as Gene Sarazen made history with his 1922 victory when he was just 20 years old.

What’s the lowest total score in PGA Championship history?

Brooks Koepka made history when he won the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in Missouri. He shot a total score of 264 at the par-70 course, putting him at 16-under for the tournament.

While Koepka won with the fewest strokes, Jason Day had the best under-par score in PGA Championship history when he went 20-under at the par-72 Whistling Straits in 2015.

What’s the lowest single-round score in PGA Championship history?

There have been 18 rounds where a golfer has shot a 63 at the PGA Championship.

Recent PGA Championship winners

Here is a look at the last 10 PGA Championship winners:

• 2023 : Brooks Koepka, Oak Hill C.C., -9
• 2022: Justin Thomas, Southern Hills C.C., -5
• 2021: Phil Mickelson, Kiawah Island, -6
• 2020: Collin Morikawa, TPC Harding Park, -13
• 2019: Brooks Koepka, Bethpage Black, -8
• 2018: Brooks Koepka, Bellerive C.C., -16
• 2017: Justin Thomas, Quail Hollow C.C., -8
• 2016: Jimmy Walker, Baltusrol G.C. (Lower), -14
• 2015: Jason Day, Whistling Straits (Straits), -20
• 2014: Rory McIlroy, Valhalla G.C., -16

The full list of PGA Championship winners can be found here .

This article tagged under:

Players Championship analysis: 10 notes to know on Scottie Scheffler’s win

What many called a sleepy first nine weeks to the PGA Tour season got a stiff cup of coffee last week in Orlando. Then it went to Ponte Vedra Beach and chugged three energy drinks.

Three of the world’s best players — the reigning U.S. Open champion, reigning Open champion, and reigning Olympic gold medalist — all had birdie opportunities on the final hole to force a playoff. But all three missed, falling a single shot behind golf’s great inevitability, world number one Scottie Scheffler.

Advertisement

Here are the top numbers to know from the final round of the 50th Players Championship:

1. Scheffler closed with 64, tying the lowest final round ever shot by a winner at TPC Sawgrass. It matched the closing rounds of Fred Couples in 1996 and Davis Love III in 2003. Scheffler played the last 31 holes of the championship without a bogey, the longest closing streak without a dropped shot to win The Players Championship all-time. Scheffler diced apart the back nine all week, hitting 32 of 36 greens in regulation, with 16 of those approach shots being inside 20 feet of the hole.

Despite the neck injury that was visibly bothersome throughout the week, Scheffler’s ball-striking performance was second to none. Scheffler led the field in strokes gained tee-to-green for the second consecutive year at TPC Sawgrass, picking up nearly 16 strokes on the field in that statistic. Since strokes gained data first was tracked in 2003, Scheffler has the best (2023, +17.17) and third-best (2024, +15.88) tee-to-green performances by a Players champion.

2. Finally, The Players Championship has its first back-to-back winner in Scheffler. When the week started, no defending champion had ever finished in the top five at TPC Sawgrass since Hal Sutton in 2001. Previously, the best score by a defending champion at The Players was 10-under by Webb Simpson in 2019. Scheffler beat that by 10 shots.

While The Players was the oldest tournament on the Tour’s schedule without a back-to-back champ, it was not the tournament with the longest repeat winner drought. The two active PGA Tour events with the longest active streaks without a player successfully defending are now known as the Charles Schwab Challenge (Ben Hogan, 1952-53) and the Wyndham Championship (Sam Snead, 1955-56). Or, Colonial and Greensboro, if you like.

3. For the second week in a row, Scheffler made the putts he had to in the final round. That hasn’t always been the case, even during his ascent to the top of the game. Entering last week, Scheffler averaged -0.16 strokes gained putting in the final round of PGA Tour events since 2022. After picking up more than six-tenths of a stroke on the greens Sunday, that average is +2.26 the last two Sundays.

Scheffler began the day five shots back, tying the largest final-round comeback to win at TPC Sawgrass. Justin Leonard in 1998 and Henrik Stenson 11 years later were five off the pace in their victories. Scheffler has won eight official PGA Tour events since the beginning of the 2022 season, three more than any other player.

4. Wyndham Clark was millimeters from forcing a playoff with the world number one, lipping out his birdie putt on 18. No player in the field made a putt at 18 Sunday longer than 16 feet. Clark’s was 17.

Clark led by four shots at the halfway point, marking the first time a player has led by four or more after two rounds at TPC Sawgrass and not won. There have been two players this season on the PGA Tour to lead by four shots or more after 36 holes, and neither has gone on to finish the job. Last month at Riviera, Patrick Cantlay led the Genesis Invitational by five. He wound up in a tie for fourth, four behind Hideki Matsuyama.

Clark also finished as runner-up a week ago in Orlando to Scheffler. It’s the first time in 64 years that a player has won in consecutive weeks on the PGA Tour with the same player finishing runner-up (or T-2) in both tournaments. In March of 1960, Arnold Palmer won the Baton Rouge Open Invitational and the Pensacola Open Invitational in back-to-back weeks. Doug Sanders finished runner-up in each.

5. Xander Schauffele also finished one behind, his 16th top-10 finish in the last two seasons on Tour, the most of any player without a win in that span. Schauffele, who had just one bogey or worse through 57 holes this week, carded three in the last 15, including two critical blemishes Sunday at 14 and 15. A one-shot lead was again a perilous position at Pete and Alice Dye’s place on Sunday: for the ninth consecutive time, a player leading by 1 stroke entering the final round of The Players did not go on to win.

Schauffele’s best chance to force a playoff came at 17, when he hit his approach inside 7 feet, but missed the putt. After gaining 3.36 strokes on the greens in a brilliant Saturday 65, the Olympic gold medalist lost nearly half a stroke in the final round.

6. With a Sunday 68, Brian Harman nearly fought his way into a playoff but wound up the third member of the runner-up trio. Harman dazzled with his irons all week, leading the field in strokes gained approach for just the third time in his PGA Tour career. Harman was vying to become the first reigning Open champion to win at TPC Sawgrass since Tiger Woods did it in 2001.

Like Clark, Harman had a 17-foot birdie opportunity from the front of the 18th green but missed the putt. This was Harman’s third top-five finish since his 6-stroke runaway at Royal Liverpool last summer.

7. With receptive greens and favorable weather conditions throughout, red numbers were to be had almost everywhere at TPC Sawgrass. Before this week, only two players in this championship’s history had finished the week at 19-under or better (four did that on Sunday). Two players — Matt Fitzpatrick and Sam Ryder — tied for the most birdies or better for the week, setting a single-tournament record. The field totaled 1,769 birdies and eagles for the week, the second-most all-time and the most for a Players Championship held in March.

But in typical Dye fashion, disaster also lurked everywhere. Players combined to make 213 double bogeys or worse, the most for any PGA Tour field since last year’s Open Championship. The beautiful volatility of the Stadium Course delivered again.

8. No player was more emblematic of that this week than Rory McIlroy, who finished in a tie for 19th place despite making 26 birdies. Before McIlroy, the most birdies or better by a player to finish outside the top-15 at The Players Championship was 24 by Rafa Cabrera Bello six years ago.

McIlroy had three double bogeys for the week, bringing his season total of doubles or worse to an unsightly nine. He had only seven holes of double bogey or worse in the entire 2023 PGA Tour season.

9. The screws got severely tightened Sunday at 17, with the famed hole playing as the toughest on the golf course in the final round. The leap from a 2.84 field scoring average there on Saturday to 3.34 in round four represented the second-highest such increase in Players Championship history. There were a mere four birdies made Sunday on the 17th, the fewest in any round since 2006 and the fewest ever in a final round.

10. Scheffler will likely be a significant betting favorite next month at Augusta National, seeking his second green jacket in three years. Since his breakthrough win at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open, Scheffler leads the Tour in wins, top-10 finishes, strokes gained total, scoring average, greens in regulation and strokes gained approach. The idea of an even average-putting Scheffler presents the possibility of a historic season ahead.

Next month, not only will Scheffler’s PGA Tour cohorts be trying to slow his momentum, but many of LIV Golf’s best — including defending champion Jon Rahm — will be there to do the same.

The opening round of the Masters is less than 30 days away.

(Top photo: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.

Justin Ray is a contributor at The Athletic and the Head of Content for Twenty First Group, a sports intelligence agency that works with players, broadcasters, manufacturers and media. He has been in sports media for more than 10 years and was previously a senior researcher for ESPN and Golf Channel. Follow Justin on Twitter @ JustinRayGolf

US PGA Championship 2024: Fantasy DP World Tour ones to watch

All eyes are on Valhalla this week for the US PGA Championship. But who are you picking in your team on the DP World Tour's official Fantasy game for the second men's Major of the year?

The 106th  US PGA Championship  returns to Valhalla Golf Club this week for the second men’s Major Championship of the season, marking the fourth time Valhalla has played host, tied for second most in the history of the event.

Last year, it was Brooks Koepka who claimed his third US PGA Championship title with a two-shot victory over Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler at Oak Hill Country Club. In doing so, he became the sixth player to win the championship on three or more occasions - joining Walter Hagen and Jack Nicklaus (five), Tiger Woods (four), Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead (three).

He returns in form and with a recent victory under his belt, but he'll have stiff competition in his title defence, going up against an in form Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, who both have back-to-back wins heading into this week.

The last time the tournament was played at Valhalla it was McIlroy who took home the trophy, and ten years on from that triumph he'll be hoping to replicate that as he goes in search of a fifth Major title. Meanwhile, World Number One Scottie Scheffler will be looking to continue his dominance after winning The Masters last month.

Elsewhere, Jordan Spieth has a chance to complete the Grand Slam with victory this week, while several DP World Tour stars head across the pond looking to impress - including Asian Swing winner Sebastian Soderberg. So who should feature in your Fantasy Team this week? We've selected our Favourite, our Form Horse and our Wildcard to help you with that choice!

To play Fantasy DP World Tour, click here .

If you have not done so already, you can sign up to play the official 2024 DP World Tour Fantasy game and submit your six-man team before the first round gets under way on Thursday: https://fantasy.dpworldtour.com/

The 2024 season-long winner will win a trip to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai next year, enjoy a lesson with a DP World Tour professional and a round of golf on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. For more information on this amazing prize and others, read here .

Fantasy Insight: As it stands, World Number One Scottie Scheffler is the favourite for players of our _ Fantasy Game this week , featuring in 84.52% of teams. _Only two other players have been picked by more than 50% of users, with Ludvig Aberg in 69% of teams and four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy in 65.35%.

Favourite - Scottie Scheffler

The World Number One is unquestionably the favourite to earn a second leg of the Grand Slam this week, and arrives to the Louisville venue having just become a new dad to son Bennett with his wife Meredith.

Scheffler, who is a four-time winner already this year, comes to the second Major of the year with back-to-back victories to his name. Having earned his second Green Jacket with a second Major win at The Masters in April, Scheffler followed up with another immediately triumph at the RBC Heritage.

The American hasn't finished worse than T17 in 2024, and leads the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained Total, Tee To Green, Approach the Green and Around the Green. The only question mark around Scottie is his consistency on the greens - currently ranked 97th on Tour in that category - but with multiple wins already under his belt, that hasn't been a detrimental factor!

Form horse - Rory McIlroy

The Northern Irishman returns to the scene of his 2014 PGA Championship triumph at Valhalla this week as he goes in search of his first Major since he claimed that title here ten years ago.

He arrives in Kentucky in exceptional form with two consecutive wins to his name, having claimed both the Zurich Class with Shane Lowry two weeks ago and last week's Wells Fargo Championship.

With top tens in seven of his last nine Major championships - including his last two PGA Championships - McIlroy himself said it feels like the stars are somewhat aligning when it comes to his chances this week. And it helps that this is a venue where he's had success.

“Going to a venue next week where I have won, it feels like the stars are aligning a little bit," he said.

"But I have a lot of golf to play and a lot of great players to try to beat. I am going into the next Major of the year feeling really good about myself.”

Wildcard - Sebastian Soderberg

Sebastian Söderberg may have seen victory slip away at the Volvo China Open but a third successive top-five finish meant he topped the Asian Swing Rankings to earn a spot in his first Major since the 2022 U.S. Open Championship.

The Swede is on a hot streak, and while this might be his first Major in two years and his US PGA Championship debut, there's no doubt that his form is one of the best leading into this event. In his last three starts on the DP World Tour, Soderberg had back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Hero Indian Open and ISPS HANDA-Championship, before his recent tie for third at the Volvo China Open.

Having not missed a cut since July last year, Soderberg also ranks first on the DP World Tour for Stroke Average, Total Strokes Gained, Birdies and Par three scoring, second for Strokes Gained Putting, and fourth for both Strokes Gained Approach and Strokes Gained Tee to Green.

And while he hasn't been in the winner's circle since the 2019 Omega European Masters, he's certainly got the form to do something special this week.

DP World Tour Partners

Advertisement

Meet the 16 liv golf players in the field for the 2024 pga championship at valhalla, share this article.

For the second consecutive year there will be 16 LIV Golf players in the field at the PGA of America’s flagship event.

Three-time champion Brooks Koepka will look to defend his title at the upcoming 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, May 16-19, and he’ll be joined by two other past champions in Martin Kaymer (2010) and Phil Mickelson (2005, 2021). On the flip side, two LIV players (Andy Ogletree, David Puig) will make their debuts at the second men’s major championship of the season.

Meet the 16 LIV Golf players competing in this year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Dean Burmester

Dean Burmester of Stinger GC during the final round of the LIV Golf Mayakoba tournament at El Chamaleon Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Best PGA Championship finish: 54 (2023)

Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau waves to patrons as he walks up to the No. 18 green during the final round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Network

Best PGA Championship finish: T-4 (2020, 2023)

Talor Gooch

Talor Gooch plays his shot from the eighth tee during day one of the 2024 LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club. (Photo: Lionel Ng/Getty Images)

Best PGA Championship finish: T-20 (2022)

Tyrrell Hatton

Tyrrell Hatton of Legion XIII gestures during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational – Mayakoba at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on February 02, 2024 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)

Best PGA Championship finish: T-10 (2016, 2018)

Lucas Herbert

Lucas Herbert of Australia reacts to his putt on the 14th green during the first round of the Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort and Spa on September 14, 2023 in Napa, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Best PGA Championship finish: T-13 (2022)

Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson of the 4 Aces plays his shot from the fifth tee during the first round of LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Best PGA Championship finish: 2 (2019), T-2 (2020)

Martin Kaymer

Martin Kaymer of Germany holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning a playoff in the U.S. PGA Championship Aug. 15, 2010, at Whistling Straits.

Best PGA Championship finish: Winner (2010)

Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka celebrates after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Club. (Photo: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports)

Best PGA Championship finish: Win (2018, 2019, 2023)

Adrian Meronk

Adrian Meronk of Cleeks GC hits his shot from the fifth tee during the second round of LIV Golf Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Golf Club Fanling on Saturday, March 09, 2024 in Fanling, Hong Kong. (Photo by Doug DeFelice/LIV Golf)

Best PGA Championship finish: T-40 (2023)

Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson walks off the No. 7 green during the final round of the Masters Tournament. (Photo: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network)

Best PGA Championship finish: Win (2005, 2021)

Joaquin Niemann

Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC hits a tee shot on the 3st hole during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Best PGA Championship finish: T-23 (2022)

Andy Ogletree

Andy Ogletree follows his tee shot on the second hole during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – DC at Trump National Golf Club on May 27, 2023 in Sterling, Virginia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Best PGA Championship finish: Debut

David Puig during LIV Golf Adelaide at Grange Golf Club. (Photo: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports)

Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII hits his shot from the 14th tee during the first round of LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club on Friday, April 26, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by LIV Golf)

Best PGA Championship finish: T-4 (2018)

Patrick Reed

Patrick Reed of 4Aces GC plays his shot from the sixteenth tee during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational – Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club on May 03, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images)

Best PGA Championship finish: T-2 (2017)

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith acknowledges the crowd after a putt on the seventh green during the first round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Liverpool. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Best PGA Championship finish: Fourth (2023)

Most Popular

Meredith and scottie scheffler welcome their first child to the world, 2024 wells fargo championship prize money payouts for each pga tour player, pga championship 2024 odds, tournament history and picks to win, as rose zhang moves to no. 6 in the world, see which americans are in position to qualify for 2024 olympics, photos: pga championship 2024 monday practice round at valhalla golf club, photos: merchandise in the pga shops at valhalla golf club for the 2024 pga championship.

• Live on Sky
• Get Sky Sports
• Sky Mobile Apps
• Kick It Out
• Black Lives Matter
• British South Asians in Football

PGA Championship 2024 field: Who is playing at Valhalla and late additions to the major line-up

Brooks Koepka returns as defending champion, Jordan Spieth looks to complete career Grand Slam and Rory McIlroy searches for his first major win in 10 years at the venue of his last - Valhalla Golf Club; watch the PGA Championship, live on Sky Sports Golf from May 16-19

Monday 13 May 2024 18:40, UK

The field is set for the 2024 PGA Championship, but who has qualified for the major being held at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky?

Defending champion Brooks Koepka , past PGA Championship winners Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler , fresh from a second Masters triumph at Augusta National, headline a decorated field at the second major of year, which you can watch exclusively live on Sky Sports from May 16-19 .

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Koepka recorded his fifth career major last year by winning at Oak Hill Country Club, with Scheffler finishing tied for second alongside Viktor Hovland two strokes back. Koepka also won the tournament in 2018 and 2019 and is in good form ahead of his defence after triumphing at last week's LIV event in Singapore.

• When is the PGA Championship on Sky? All you need to know
• Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and more with NOW
• How to book Fury vs Usyk on Sky Sports Box Office

Woods, a 15-time major champion, won the PGA Championship in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007, while world No 2 McIlroy emerged victorious in 2012 and 2014. The four-time major winner has yet to win a major since that 2014 tournament which was held at the very same Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky. A good omen, perhaps?

There is also the opportunity for Jordan Spieth to complete the career Grand Slam, the 30-year-old needing the Wanamaker Trophy to complete his set after his victories at The Masters and US Open in 2015 and The Open two years later.

• Spurs vs Man City: Hosts change three LIVE! & highlights
• Rangers start brightly vs Dundee LIVE! & highlights
• Transfer Centre LIVE! 'Fernandes set to stay after talks over future'
• FREE STREAM: Fury vs Usyk Grand Arrivals
• Man Utd rumours: Frank emerges as strong contender to replace Ten Hag
• Fury vs Usyk: Timings, undercard, how to watch and more
• Neville: Tottenham vs Man City is the title decider
• Man Utd interested in Tosin
• Usyk: I called off my team to stop brawl after Fury fracas
• MNF Team of the Season: Were Nev or Carra right? Have your say!
• Latest News

World No 5 Jon Rahm joins Koepka as part of a strong LIV Golf contingent named, which also includes former Open champion Cameron Smith and English hopeful Tyrrell Hatton .

Which LIV Golf players are among the field?

LIV Golf features 16 players in this year's PGA Championship field, down from 18 a year ago.

When are the majors? 2024 calendar

Latest golf news & video

Stream golf on Sky Sports with NOW

Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp

Along with Koepka, Rahm, Smith and Hatton mentioned above, that number includes seven 'special invitations' being extended to players from the Saudi-backed tour, ensuring that golf's entire top 100 in the world rankings will feature at Valhalla.

The PGA of America strives to have the world's top 100 participate in the tournament in order to maintain its reputation for having the strongest field of the four majors.

The PGA has used the catch-all category of 'special invitations' to include the likes of Patrick Reed , Joaquin Niemann and Talor Gooch .

2018 Masters champion Reed's tied 12th finish at Augusta National this year moved him inside the top 100 to 92nd, while Niemann won the Australian Open in December and has two LIV Golf wins to his name this year.

Gooch announced in a post on X on Monday, prior to the field being officially announced, that he had received an invitation.

His selection is perhaps a sign that the PGA of America's selection committee are looking specifically at LIV results on their own, as Gooch doesn't play much outside of the Saudi league. He won three LIV events in 2023 on his way to topping their season points list.

Other invitations went to Dean Burmester , Lucas Herbert , and Adrian Meronk , all of them inside the top 100 in the world, and David Puig at 106th in the rankings.

There might have been one more LIV golfer to feature, but for the fact former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen turned down his invitation due to "personal commitments", according to his manager.

Who has been a late addition to the field?

The final two spots in the field were left for the winners of the Wells Fargo Championship and the Myrtle Beach Classic, the last two PGA Tour events before the major, with McIlroy - already qualified - securing a record fourth win at Quail Hollow allowing SH Kim in as the next alternate.

Chris Gotterup claimed a major PGA Tour victory to secure his major invite, while former Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker's withdrawal on Sunday earned Alex Smalley a place in the field from the alternates list.

Taylor Montgomery withdrew on Monday due to injury, meaning C.T Pan now gets to feature.

Full list of the PGA Championship field

Correct as of May 13; USA unless stated

Ludiv Aberg (Swe)

Byeong Hun An (Kor)

Josh Bevell

Christiaan Bezuidenhout (Rsa)

Akshay Bhatia

Alexander Bjork (Swe)

Michael Block

Live PGA Championship Golf

Evan Bowser

Keegan Bradley

Bean Burmester (Rsa)

Patrick Cantlay

Wyndham Clark

Preston Cole

Tyler Collet

Corey Conners (Can)

Cameron Davis (Aus)

Jason Day (Aus)

Bryson DeChambeau

Thomas Detry (Bel)

Matt Dobyns

Luke Donald (Eng)

Jason Dufner

Nick Dunlap

Austin Eckroat

Harris English

Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng)

Tommy Fleetwood (Eng)

Rickie Fowler

Ryan Fox (Nzl)

Brice Garnett

Lucas Glover

Talor Gooch

Chris Gotterup

Ben Griffin

Emiliano Grillo (Arg)

Larkin Gross

Adam Hadwin (Can)

Brian Harman

Padraig Harrington (Irl)

Tyrrell Hatton (Eng)

Russell Henley

Lucas Herbert (Aus)

Ryo Hisatsune (Jpn)

Charley Hoffman

Nicolai Hojgaard (Den)

Rasmus Hojgaard (Den)

Billy Horschel

Rikuya Hoshino (Jpn)

Beau Hossler

Viktor Hovland (Nor)

Mark Hubbard

Mackenzie Hughes (Can)

Sungjae Im (Kor)

Stephan Jaeger (Ger)

Dustin Johnson

Jared Jones

Takumi Kanaya (Jpn)

Martin Kaymer (Ger)

Jeff Kellen

S.H Kim (Kor)

Si Woo Kim (Kor)

Tom Kim (Kor)

Kurt Kitayama

Kazuma Kobori (Nzl)

Brooks Koepka

Thriston Lawrence (Rsa)

Kyoung-Hoon Lee (Kor)

Min Woo Lee (Aus)

Shane Lowry (Irl)

Robert MacIntyre (Sco)

Peter Malnati

Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn)

Denny McCarthy

Rory McIlroy (NIrl)

Maverick McNealy

Kyle Mendoza

Adrian Meronk (Pol)

Shaun Michael

Phil Mickelson

Keith Mitchell

Francesco Molinari (Ita)

Taylor Moore

Collin Morikawa

Jesse Mueller

Grayson Murray

Keita Nakajima (Jpn)

Joaquin Niemann (Chi)

Alex Noren (Swe)

Vincent Norrman (Swe)

Andy Ogletree

Thorbjorn Olesen (Den)

Adrian Otaegui (Esp)

Matthieu Pavon (Fra)

Taylor Pendrith (Can)

Victor Perez (Fra)

Tracy Phillips

Ben Polland

C.T Pan (Tpe)

David Puig (Esp)

Andrew Putnam

Jon Rahm (Esp)

Patrick Reed

Patrick Rodgers

Justin Rose (Eng)

Xander Schauffele

Scottie Scheffler

Adam Schenk

Adam Scott (Aus)

Braden Shattuck

Alex Smalley

Cameron Smith (Aus)

Jordan Smith (Eng)

Sebastian Soderberg (Swe)

John Somers

Josh Speight

Jordan Spieth

Sepp Straka (Aut)

Adam Svensson (Can)

Jesper Svensson (Swe)

Andy Svoboda

Nick Taylor (Can)

Sahith Theegala

Justin Thomas

Brendon Todd

Alejandro Tosti (Arg)

Sami Valimaki (Fin)

Erik van Rooyen (Rsa)

Ryan van Velzen (Rsa)

Camilo Villegas (Col)

Jimmy Walker

Matt Wallace (Eng)

Jeremy Wells

Tim Widing (Swe)

Gary Woodland

Tiger Woods

Wyatt Worthington II

Cameron Young

Will Zalatoris

Who could still earn a late major invite?

Should any more players withdraw ahead of their opening round on Thursday, they will be replaced in the field by the next available player in the alternates list.

Alternate list (as of May 13): 1. Nate Lashley, 2. Sam Ryder, 3. Carl Yuan [Chn], 4. Justin Lower, 5. Kevin Yu [Tpe], 6. Chad Ramey

Watch the PGA Championship, exclusively live on Sky Sports from May 16-19. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 1pm on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, majors and more with NOW.

Book Fury vs Usyk on Sky Sports Box Office

It's one of the biggest sporting events in a generation. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk collide for the undisputed world heavyweight title on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now .

Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW

Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League and EFL, plus darts, cricket, tennis, golf and so much more.

You can now receive messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel. Find out more here...

Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland

Enter Course, City, or Postal Code

No results found. Please try another search.

How to watch Premier League, EFL play-offs, WSL, Scottish Premiership, F1 and more

• Stream with NOW

• Upgrade Now

Wells Fargo Championship payout distribution 2024: Prize money, purse

T he Wells Fargo Championship has become one of the flagship events on the PGA Tour , which made it an obvious choice for a limited-field signature event during the 2024 season. But unlike some of the other signature events before it, this trip to Quail Hollow this week gave us what we've been looking for in these elevated tournaments featuring all of the top golfers on the PGA Tour.

Not only was Quail Hollow playing extremely difficult with its length and windy, wet conditions (the latter more so earlier in the week) but the cream of the crop separated themselves. Entering Sunday's final round, it was two of the game's biggest stars battling at the top of the leaderboard. Xander Schauffele held the 54-hole lead looking to go wire-to-wire, but Rory McIlroy made a big moving day charge to be just one stroke behind Xander.

And in the heart of the final round with Schauffele not making any big move, Rory made his push and pulled ahead of his playing partner on Sunday in Charlotte. Then it became a question of how they would handle the Green Mile and a tough finish.

In the end, though, it would all be worth it with the 2024 Wells Fargo prize money on the line. How much is the purse this week Quail Hollow and what does the payout look like for every player, though? Let's take a look.

Wells Fargo Championship purse 2024: Winner's prize money, total purse

The winner of the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship will receive a massive $3.6 million in prize money for their victory at Quail Hollow. With this long golf course and the wind whipping throughout the week, they'll have earned every penny. So will every other player who is looking for their share of the $20 million purse that has become standard for signature events this season on the PGA Tour. The test put forth at this event, however, makes it seem more worthy of that type of payout than most.

Wells Fargo Championship payout distribution by finishing position in 2024

Here is the full payout breakdown at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship with the prize money for every finishing place in the tournament.

Again, as a signature event, we see the payout and prize money for the 68 players who teed it up this week (it was 69 before Hideki Matsuyama withdrew before his tee time in the first round) at Quail Hollow. The top three finishers will all clear seven figures this week while every player who finishes 36th or better will make six figures -- which means more than half of the Wells Fargo field will see that type of payday.

With this type of money on the line in addition to the tough test that the golf course offered this week, it feels like this was absolutely a worthy and heavy-hitting tune-up before next week's PGA Championship at Valhalla in Kentucky.

This article was originally published on fansided.com as Wells Fargo Championship payout distribution 2024: Prize money, purse .

Power Rankings: PGA Championship

Power Rankings

Change Text Size

Not unlike how many of the horses arrive for the annual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs some 15 miles to its west, Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, is poised to host numerous thoroughbreds in top form for the 106th running of the PGA Championship.

A review of the course and other information is below the ranking of those projected to contend.

It’d be a curious opinion to want the sport’s top talents to descend at the second major of 2024 in form other than the current, so it’s a timely bonus that Valhalla will give all 156 entrants a terrific opportunity to stretch and showcase what they got.

This is the fourth edition of the PGA Championship on the Jack Nicklaus design. After testing as a par 72 in 1996 and 2000, it’s been a par 71 since Rory McIlroy prevailed in 2014. The field’s average that week was a modest 71.539, but that’s when the tournament was contested in August.

It’s late enough in the growing season this year for Valhalla to present its fully formed self, but it does so now capable of extending to 7,609 yards. That’s 151 yards longer than a decade ago, but the expectation is that it will again provide a fair and consistently strong exam. While visually striking in places, Valhalla’s setup as a proper stage is the narrative. The prepared will be rewarded on an exceptionally balanced course.

Because it’s a Nicklaus design, long hitters will be licking their chops off tees. With five par 4s tipping at 484 yards or longer piggybacking three par 5s, the driver will be a busy stick. Yet, in 2014, Valhalla surrendered just 278 yards on average in distance of all drives. That was 11th-lowest of all courses measured that season and respectful of the fact that greens average only 5,000 square feet. The formula favors course management over all alternatives. This is major, after all.

But make no mistake, confident drivers will feast. McIlroy prevailed in 2014 at 16-under 268 and was among five with four rounds in the 60s. He led the field in distance of all drives, total driving, Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and par-4 scoring.

McIlroy is among the 34 in this week’s field who competed here 10 years ago. The then-new, heat-tolerant T-1 bentgrass on the greens held its own in the muggy conditions at the time. It was a big deal because it was the first time the strain hosted a major. The darker-green surface is ready to touch 13 feet on the Stimpmeter this week; that is, if it wasn’t subject to persistent rain immediately in advance of and during the tournament.

There’s at least a slight risk of precipitation every day, although Thursday and Sunday are the early clubhouse leaders for cooperative conditions. Wind won’t be a significant factor at any time, so it’ll simply be a matter of dodging lightning and cloudbursts. Daytime highs might not hit 80 degrees until Saturday. Even with a warmup for the finale, it won’t be sweltering. If it’s soft, fairways will play wider but a blend of bluegrass and fescue trimmed to four inches will grab wayward strikes on either side.

In addition to a lifetime exemption into the tournament, the winner of the Wanamaker trophy will receive exemptions into the next five editions of each of the other three majors. He’ll also secure spots in the last two Signature Events of 2024 and the 2025 editions of The Sentry and THE PLAYERS Championship. His PGA TOUR membership exemption also will extend to the maximum five seasons through 2029.

ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE

• MONDAY : Power Rankings
• TUESDAY *: Sleepers
• WEDNESDAY : Golfbet Insider
• FRIDAY : Medical Extensions
• SUNDAY : Points and Payouts; Qualifiers; Reshuffle

*Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesday.

Rob Bolton is a Golfbet columnist for the PGA TOUR. The Chicagoland native has been playing fantasy golf since 1994, so he was just waiting for the Internet to catch up with him. Follow Rob Bolton on Twitter .

• CBSSports.com
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• CBS Sports Home
• Champions League
• Motor Sports
• High School

Men's Brackets

Women's Brackets

Fantasy Baseball

Fantasy football, football pick'em, college pick'em, fantasy basketball, fantasy hockey, franchise games, 24/7 sports news network.

• CBS Sports Golazo Network
• PGA Championship
• UEFA Champions League
• UEFA Europa League
• Italian Serie A
• Watch CBS Sports Network
• TV Shows & Listings

The Early Edge

A Daily SportsLine Betting Podcast

With the First Pick

NFL Draft recap

• Podcasts Home
• The First Cut Golf
• Beyond the Arc
• We Need to Talk Now
• Eye On College Basketball
• NFL Pick Six
• Cover 3 College Football
• Fantasy Football Today
• My Teams Organize / See All Teams Help Account Settings Log Out

2024 PGA Championship odds, favorites: Why you should root for these nine golfers to win the Wanamaker Trophy

The 156-man field at valhalla features a plethora of intriguing storylines and nine particular golfers worth cheering on.

In the final three majors of the year, there are always 156 golfers to figure, 156 guys to solve. Not all of them have a chance of winning, of course, and its normally easy to spot the pretenders from the jump. What's not always as easy is figuring out who to cheer and why to cheer for them. We try to help you toward that end by ranking the top of the 2024 PGA Championship field, 1-24 , but that's mostly based on recent play and success at this tournament.

There are some serious historical implications presented by the 2024 PGA Championship -- some you have perhaps considered, but others may have fallen by the wayside. Whether you hope history gets made or you want to see your favorite golfer simply claim the year's second major, having rooting interest beyond the oddsboard is a terrific way to enhance your viewing experience.

Let's take a look at what's at stake this week and why to cheer for some of the top players in this year's field as Valhalla hosts the PGA Championship for the first time in a decade.

1. Scottie Scheffler: The No. 1 player in the world rolls in as a new dad having won two consecutive tournaments and four of his last five starts. In the last 40 years, only Tiger Woods (2002) and Jordan Spieth (2015) have taken the grand slam to a third major. Woods got his chances literally blown away by insane conditions during the 2002 Open Championship at Muirfield, while Spieth narrowly missed a playoff during the 2015 Open at St. Andrews. Scheffler has a real chance to take this year's slam to Pinehurst, which would be an amazing outcome that would captivate the golf world at a time when it needs a feel good story such as that. He enters at a Tiger-like number.  Odds: 4-1

2. Brooks Koepka: If you like history, there are three great and realistic options this week (and one even better but maybe unrealistic option): Scheffler's slam (see above), Rory McIlroy's return (see below) and Koepka's sixth major championship (see the record books). Brooks might not be the easiest character in the world to cheer on, but if greatness is your thing -- and it's everybody's thing to some degree -- then look no further than the reigning champion. He has a chance to join Phil Mickelson, Nick Faldo and Lee Trevino with six major championships -- all by the age of 34. A win here would get him within one of ... Arnold Palmer.  Odds: 14-1

3. Rory McIlroy: An historic career is mostly still on track, but a major championship would supercharge him toward the "totally made up but still preposterously impressive" 40 PGA Tour/six major championship club . A win here would also mean that, for the second consecutive year, the PGA Championship would be the fifth major win for somebody.  Odds: 7-1

4. Viktor Hovland: Last year's tough runner-up finisher (along with Scheffler) to Koepka does not have quite as confident of a handle on his game presently, but he is perhaps the easiest athlete to cheer in all of sports. Smiling in victory, smiling in defeat, smiling if he finishes T37, Hovland seems to love the game and the competition. Among those who have not yet won a major championship, the only golfer who rivals his jovial nature is perhaps Tony Finau. If Hovland can somehow get into contention again this year, he'll have a ton of support.  Odds: 40-1

5. Max Homa: I said during the Masters that he's the best quote in golf right now, and I still believe that. That event at Augusta National was his first true contention at a major, but he was fully committed to owning it. Though the PGA is not quite at the level of the Masters in terms of how much it means, I would imagine Homa will deliver the goods from a quote standpoint if he finds himself back in the mix. Most golfers (heck, most athletes) don't give much, especially when things are going well. Homa gives you his entire heart almost every time. A scenario in which he does that this week is worth rooting for.  Odds: 25-1

6. Bryson DeChambeau: There are a number of reasons to root for players. While perhaps goodwill and excitement are not the two that come to mind with DeChambeau, I can promise you that the quotes and the content would be off the charts. He tried to win the Masters (and almost pulled it off) while using a set of 3D printed golf clubs. Bryson is nothing if not a provider of drama and theatrics. Given how tepid golf has seemed at times over the last few months, he's worth cheering just for that.  Odds: 22-1

7. Rickie Fowler: Is there anybody in golf who has accomplished as much and been as beloved without a major victory? If last year's U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country club was any indication, it would be incredibly popular and fun if Fowler was not just in contention but ended up getting his first major victory. Throw in the fact that he nearly won here in 2014 when McIlroy took the title, and it's hard to imagine a more fairytale outcome than that one.  Odds: 200-1

8. Jordan Spieth: Incredibly, Spieth could be responsible for the most historic win out of them all this week if he's able to pull off what, for him, would be a miracle victory at Valhalla. If he wins on Sunday, he joins Tiger, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and Gary Player as the only golfers to win all four major championships. However you feel about Spieth -- and plenty of people have plenty of their own thoughts and feelings about him -- that's an outcome worth rooting for.  Odds: 70-1

9. Ludvig Åberg: The 24-year-old took a rip at Scheffler during the Masters but ultimately came up short in his first major appearance. He is as likable as a player gets. Åberg has a perfect golf swing and is young enough that it would be easy to project a significant major career if he were to finish T2-1 in his first two such starts.  Odds: 18-1

Who will win the 2024 PGA Championship, and which longshots will stun the golfing world?  Visit SportsLine to see the projected PGA Championship leaderboard, all from the model that has nailed 11 golf majors , including the last three Masters.

Our Latest Golf Stories

2024 PGA Championship odds, picks, best bets, field

Cbs sports staff • 5 min read.

Tee times, pairings for Round 1 at PGA Championship

Patrick mcdonald • 3 min read.

2024 PGA Championship fantasy golf picks, bets

Cbs sports staff • 2 min read.

Tiger talks PGA Tour, PIF ahead of PGA Championship

2024 pga championship odds, tiger woods picks, 2024 pga championship one & done expert picks, sleepers, cbs sports staff • 4 min read, share video.

Root for these nine to win PGA Championship 2024

Ranking the 2024 PGA Championship field, 1-24

Five sleepers who could win it all

McIlroy's longevity full on display

PGA storylines: Three-horse race?

Round 1 tee times, pairings at PGA Championship

Tiger on PGA Tour, PIF deal: 'It changes day to day'

PGA odds: Scottie, Brooks, Rory among favorites

PGA Tour-PIF negotiator resigns from policy board

Valhalla to serve as stern test hosting fourth PGA

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP ’24: Spieth gets another Grand Slam shot. Hardly anyone is talking about it

Jordan Spieth hits from the fairway on the 16th hole during the second round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Jordan Spieth watches his tee shot on the third hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, celebrates after an eagle on the 15th hole from the bunker during the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club Sunday, May 12, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, celebrates after winning the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club Sunday, May 12, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Phil Mickelson watches his bunker shot on the seventh hole during third round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Captain Phil Mickelson, of HyFlyers GC, hits from the sixth tee during the pro-am before LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP)

• Copy Link copied

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The attention starts building weeks, if not months, ahead of the one major keeping Rory McIlroy from the career Grand Slam, the most elite club in golf. It’s like that every year, and it doesn’t make it any easier when he gets to the Masters.

Jordan Spieth should be able to appreciate the feeling. Except that he really doesn’t.

Now that McIlroy missed again at the Masters — his 10th straight attempt at getting the final leg — Spieth is next up with an opportunity to become only the sixth player in history to capture all four professional majors.

It feels like an afterthought going into the PGA Championship.

Scottie Scheffler tries to extend his dominance with a second straight major. Brooks Koepka is the defending champion and coming off a LIV Golf win in Singapore. Jon Rahm turned in a dud at the Masters and curious eyes will want to see at Valhalla if that was an aberration.

Oh yes, and Spieth goes for the career Grand Slam, a feat achieved only by Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.

“These things, like winning a career Grand Slam, they happen kind of when I think there’s less focus and less of a spotlight on him,” said Jim Nantz of CBS, who has covered every PGA Championship since 1991. “And I think Jordan goes into this week without a whole lot of discussion about that possibility coming up at Valhalla.

“So maybe it is favorable in that sense mentally.”

Spieth isn’t surprised the attention is not that high, certainly not at the level McIlroy has faced the last decade each time he heads to Augusta National.

One reason is his game, which has not been great. Spieth has gone just over two years since he last won a tournament and has had only a few close calls since then. He comes into the PGA Championship having missed the cut in four of his last five tournaments that had a 36-hole cut.

“He’s got more accolades,” Spieth said about the Slam hype between him and McIlroy. “He’s been a better player over his career. Maybe that creates a little noise. He’s been a bit more vocal about it himself, so maybe that makes a little bit more difference.”

The other reason is the Masters, the only major held on the same course every year.

Sarazen is the only player with the career Grand Slam who completed it at Augusta National. But that was in 1935, long before the Masters was considered a major and 25 years before Arnold Palmer first brought a professional slam into the golf conversation.

McIlroy threw away a chance in 2011 when he lost a four-shot lead in the final round at the Masters. He played in the final group with Patrick Reed in 2018 and didn’t get it done. Reminders are everywhere when he returns.

That isn’t the case for Spieth. He goes to Quail Hollow one year, Bellerive the next. He has had seven cracks at getting the missing piece of the Grand Slam on seven courses.

“For me, it’s like the PGA Championship feels decently similar to a number of tournaments we play,” Spieth said. “I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s played on some of the biggest, best golf courses. But the identity is not the same as the other three. In my mind, you don’t need to find a different way to win, versus guys who don’t have some of the other ones.

“We play a few tournaments a year that could be PGA Championships if you change the branding and the grandstands.”

Only two other players lacked only the PGA Championship for the career slam — Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson.

Jack Nicklaus referenced them last month when speaking of McIlroy’s chances at Augusta.

“Is Tom Watson good enough to win the Grand Slam? Absolutely. Was Arnold Palmer good enough to win the Grand Slam? Absolutely,” Nicklaus said.

He felt the same way about McIlroy before adding, “But they have got to do it.”

Spieth is 30 and would seem to have time on his side — but not history. Sarazen, Hogan and Woods won the final leg in their first attempt. Woods did it in the most spectacular fashion, winning the U.S. Open by 15 shots and a month later the British Open by eight. He was 24.

Player (1965 U.S. Open) and Nicklaus (1966 British Open) completed the Grand Slam on their third attempt after they had captured the third leg.

McIlroy already has had 10 cracks at the Masters since he picked up the third leg. Spieth has had seven tries at the PGA Championship since winning the third leg at Royal Birkdale in 2017.

He said it doesn’t weigh on him, at least not lately.

“I remember thinking about it in ‘17 because it was right after the Open and I was playing so well,” Spieth said. He tied for 28th at Quail Hollow.

He also said he gave the Grand Slam some thought in 2019 at Bethpage Black when he was in the final group going into the weekend with Brooks Koepka. That wasn’t really a fair fight. Koepka set the 36-hole record for majors (128), a record seven shots ahead of Spieth.

“But I don’t feel like it will build up over time, not like people talk about Rory’s building up over time,” Spieth said.

More focus is on a nagging injury to his left wrist that first surfaced right before the PGA Championship last year at Oak Hill. Spieth is trying to manage it. He also is spending more time than he imagined on the phone as part of the PGA Tour Enterprises board trying to figure out the best way forward with the Saudis.

Justin Thomas has two PGA titles — what Spieth wouldn’t do for one — and is surprised why his longtime friend doesn’t get much attention as he pursues the final leg.

“It should be the same amount of attention — you could say more because he’s younger than Rory,” Thomas said. “But that also could be a good thing. Going in under the radar is never bad.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf