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Can players be banned legally from the PGA Tour for joining the Super Golf League?

Jamie Squire

For the moment, the proposed Super Golf League remains just that, hearty in concept but short on substantive matter. What is clear is the PGA Tour’s stance toward the wannabe global tour, a position Commissioner Jay Monahan has not strayed from since the threat materialized two years ago: them, or us.

However, as the SGL toes closer to existence with players reportedly weighing eight- and nine-figure offers, Monahan’s warning to players in an email in January 2020—that those who join a rival circuit will face immediate suspension and a possible lifetime punishment—could be put to the test. Does the tour have the legal authority to permanently ban individuals for aligning with the SGL?

For starters, the PGA Tour, like any other employer or organization, has the discretion to enact rules of conduct of its members, employees and independent contractors. One of the provisions in the PGA Tour Player Handbook and Tournament Regulations is that each PGA Tour member acknowledges the commissioner, the tour’s policy board and the appeals committee have the authority to permanently ban a member from playing in a tour co-sponsored, approved or coordinated tournaments if the member violates its regulations. The handbook also provides that a player ceases to be a member of the PGA Tour if, in the judgment of the policy board, the member commits a serious breach of the Tournament Regulations, the PGA Tour’s Code of Ethics, or otherwise conducts himself in a manner unbecoming of a professional golfer.

MORE: Inside the yardage book at Pebble Beach

One such regulation generally prohibits tour players from playing in events when there is a PGA Tour-approved or sponsored event taking place at the same time. Per the handbook, players who reach the 15-event minimum (which a member must meet as a condition of their membership voting rights) are eligible for three conflicting-event releases per season, which is why so many tour players were allowed to play in this week’s Saudi Invitational. However, the regulations also state such requests can be denied. In short, the PGA Tour likely has the discretion to decide that joining a competing tour is a serious breach of its regulations.

Now, one of the long-standing truths is that players are not tour employees but independent contractors. This seemingly bestows more freedom to when and where an individual can play and thus raises the question if the tour has the power to limit that. But according to Darren Heitner, who teaches at the University of Florida and has written several books on sports legislation, that contractor status is not as big of a factor in a potential league fight as some may believe.

“This response [of a suspension or ban] by the PGA Tour has the feel of a ‘non-compete,’ intending to prevent players from performing for leagues that do seem to be competitive to the PGA Tour,” Heitner says. “Players have the choice of complying or not.”

Attorney Tom Allen—who practices in government services, litigation, and labor and employment areas—agrees, saying that though the tour will need to be careful when navigating the laws regarding agreement to limit competition, it shouldn’t be a material difference. “Typically, employers have greater latitude with regard to independent contractors versus employees—hence, the ‘independent’ part of being a contractor,” Allen says. “Here, the focus will be on what powers the PGA Tour can exercise overall with regard to its members, and that shouldn’t depend on ‘employee’ versus ‘independent contractor’ status.”

Luke Walker/WME IMG

Still, do event denials and suspensions and bans violate antitrust laws?

Heitner asserts the tour is operating within the law. “I do not believe [the tour is violating antitrust laws], since the player has other options to compete, which is the basis for the ban itself,” Heitner explains. “The PGA Tour is a non-profit organization that has the right to exclude individuals from its ranks as long as it abides by its own policies, provides no preferential treatment, and does not act in a discriminatory manner.”

However it may not be that definitive, says Allen. Unlike Major League Baseball, which infamously received an exemption from the Sherman Act (which prescribes the rule of free competition among those engaged in commerce in the United States), the PGA Tour has to abide by the law and any argument against a ban would use antitrust as the heart of its counter.

“To make such a case, that would require a player to show, No. 1, that the tour has monopoly power in a market and, No. 2, that the PGA Tour is trying to maintain that power through means other than having a superior product or business savvy,” Allen says.

Allen notes this is not new ground for the PGA Tour. In 2015, a class-action lawsuit was brought by caddies against the tour using antitrust and intellectual property claims, an effort that proved unsuccessful . “Prevailing in an antitrust lawsuit is much more complicated because the plaintiff would have to establish many things, but most importantly, a threshold requirement: defining the market,” Allen says. “That’s where the caddies lost.”

Allen also mentions the tour could face heat not just from players but the Federal Trade Commission on antitrust claims. In fact, the FTC concluded after a four-year investigation in the early 1990s that the tour had violated antitrust laws—partially due to the aforementioned rule stipulating permission for a conflicting-event release—and recommended federal action. But no action was ultimately taken, a circumstance credited to the work of then-tour Commissioner Tim Finchem (a lawyer himself who worked in President Jimmy Carter’s administration) and the tour’s lobbying mastery. Coincidentally, this clashed with Greg Norman’s first try to challenge the PGA Tour through his attempt to launch the World Tour.

Back to the present. There is another point to a theoretical antitrust claim that is unique to the tour. That would be the tour's status as a charity—a status that has garnered plenty of scrutiny in itself. That circumstance, though, does not necessarily apply in this case. All entities, be it for profit or not, are subject to the Sherman Act, but the PGA Tour is a 501(c)(6) non-profit, which is different from the more commonly known 501(c)(3) entity. Organizations that are 501(c)(6) are typically entities such as business associations, chambers of commerce and sports leagues. Basically, as long as the entity’s actions are taken to benefit the association or its line of business, the entity is operating within the IRS Regulations. And as an extension, any rumblings that this could jeopardize the tour’s tax-exempt status are misguided.

Oisin Keniry

“To lose that status, the PGA Tour would have to do something to benefit one individual as opposed to its line of business, and I do not believe a ban of a player or players falls into this category,” Allen says.

Along with the caddie lawsuit, the tour has successfully defended itself against antitrust claims from Morris Communications Corporation regarding the tour’s limitations on real-time scoring, and it prevailed in former tour player Harry Toscano’s Clayton Act antitrust lawsuit against the Senior PGA Tour. History is on its side.

Of course, as professor Lee Igel of New York University’s Institute for Global Sport notes, beyond the legality of the decision of banning players are the moral and business questions of such an action.

“In a larger world, in which free agency, job hopping, and changing expectations about work are the norm, banning someone from participation because they want to take on a new opportunity may not be a good look,” Igel says. “It can also be a response to trying to hold on to too much of what made the organization successful.”

Even juxtaposed against the SGL’s ethical baggage are the optics that the tour is not operating for the good of the game but for the good of its own interests. “There are two separate, but related, issues being dealt with here. One is about the PGA Tour and its players needing to work out overdue updates to the business model, including what have become big-money items such as ownership of and income opportunities from video content,” Igel said, nodding to the complaints Phil Mickelson made to Golf Digest earlier this week. “Another is about the PGA Tour needing to work out its role in the future of the sport. Trying to combat an upstart competition puts attention, time, and resources there instead of thinking through what the PGA Tour could do to maintain its competitive advantage.”

On that last front, the tour may argue that combatting a rival and maintaining competitive advantage are one in the same. And it appears they have the legal power to do so.

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'You Shall Not Engage In Conduct Unbecoming A Professional Caddie' – The Long List Of Regulations Bagmen MUST Comply With On The PGA Tour

The regulations surrounding what caddies can and can't do on the PGA Tour are numerous, according to the organisation's Player Handbook for 2024...

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Caddies are governed by a strict set of regulations on the PGA Tour, as detailed in the official 2024 PGA Tour player handbook, and "players shall be responsible for the conduct and behaviour of their caddies during tournaments." 

One of the things caddies can't do on the PGA Tour is get fined, however. The players are responsible for their caddies, so any fine falls on them. For example, the PGA Tour rulebook states that “a caddie may enter the locker room during the week to assist the player with retrieving items from his locker. Caddies are not allowed in the locker room at any other time. Players whose caddies enter locker rooms initially (not for reason provided above) will be fined $100. Subsequent fines during a season will be $250 and $500, respectively.”

However caddies can, in effect, be sacked by the Tour as those who “do not comply” with the Tour’s Caddie Regulations will be “subject to losing the privilege to caddie on the PGA Tour. Also, for any violation of these regulations, disciplinary action may be taken against the player for whom the caddie is providing services.”

There have been some famous player-caddie partnerships and anyway caddies are not optional for players are required to employ caddies. The caddie is also required to carry the clubs as pull or push trolleys and carts are not allowed.

Caddies and players alike are required to “present a neat appearance in both clothing and personal grooming.” But whereas “clothing worn by players shall be consistent with currently accepted golf fashion ,” the caddies have a more detailed list of clothing dos and don’ts.

Players cannot wear shorts, unlike caddies; but caddies can only wear “solid-colored khaki-style long pants, which touch the top of the shoe, or solid-colored, knee-length tailored shorts or skorts, and a collared shirt while on club property.” These have to be of “an acceptable colour.” As to what is acceptable colour, this is “determined at the discretion of the PGA Tour Chief Referee.”

More guidance is given on the colour of shoes, where “permissible colours are limited to white and earth tones such as navy, blue, black, brown, tan gray, dark green and the like. Bright colours that are intended to draw attention to a person’s footwear are not acceptable.” Nor are golf spikes , nor open-toed footwear.

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However the Caddie Regulations are not always impositions on the caddies. Although they state that “Caddies shall not falsely register for accommodations or leave unpaid bills,” they also require that “caddies shall be paid promptly.”

Here are some other things caddies must adhere to on the PGA Tour:

– Caddies must conform to the Player Endorsement Policy

– Caddies may not walk on putting greens on any day, at any time, before or after a Pro-Am or official tournament round

– Caddies shall not be permitted on practice greens except to retrieve pitch and run shots or putts

– Caddies shall not hit shots or putts anywhere on the practice areas or course, except in specially approved competitions 

– Caddies shall not engage in any conduct that is prohibited for players under the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Programme

– Caddies shall not engage in any conduct that is prohibited under the PGA Tour's Integrity Programme

– Caddies shall not engage in conduct unbecoming a professional caddie, as determined in the sole discretion of the PGA Tour 

Contributing Writer Roderick is the author of the critically acclaimed comic golf novel, Summer At Tangents . Golf courses and travel are Roderick’s particular interests. He writes travel articles and general features for the magazine, travel supplement and website. He also compiles the magazine's crossword. He is a member of Trevose Golf & Country Club and has played golf in around two dozen countries. Cricket is his other main sporting love. He is also the author of five non-fiction books, four of which are still in print:  The Novel Life of PG Wodehouse ; The Don: Beyond Boundaries ; Wally Hammond: Gentleman & Player and England’s Greatest Post-War All Rounder .

Schauffele heads into the final round in a share of the lead, but it's not just his golf that has been drawing attention, with his apparel being spoken about on the internet

By Matt Cradock Published 19 May 24

The total prize purse for the 2024 PGA Championship has risen to $18.5 million, but how much of that does the winning caddie take home?

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2024 PGA Championship TV schedule, coverage, live stream, channel, where to watch online, golf tee times

How to watch every memorable moment of the 2024 pga championship on tv or streaming live online.

The second major of the 2024 golf season wraps Sunday in Louisville with plenty of big-time players looking to capture the Wanamaker Trophy and $3.3 million winner's prize from the PGA Championship's $18.5 million purse while setting a tone for the remainder of their respective campaigns. This as the beautify of May surrounds Valhalla Golf Club with the PGA Championship concluding its return to town for the first time in a decade. Do not miss a moment of the action by following  live leaderboard coverage of the PGA Championship  with analysis and highlights throughout the day.

An unfortunate wrench was thrown into the tournament Friday morning as, in unrelated incidents, a pedestrian was killed outside the Valhalla grounds in a traffic incident and world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested for violating traffic rules . Though Scheffler looked like he was going to hang tough, he played himself out of contention in the third round and opened the door to the rest of the field.

Xander Schauffele entered Sunday atop the leaderboard for the third straight day, except this time, he was for the lead with Collin Morikawa. Shane Lowry, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose and Viktor Hovland all surged up the leaderboard Saturday, while Sahith Theegala remained hot bouncing back from a rough start to put pressure on the leaders down the stretch. Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth are among the other notable names lurking, though given the way the leaders started Sunday, it would take a miracle for any of them to move up far enough to capture the Wanamaker.

While attending the PGA Championship can be a ton of fun, simply being able to watch golf on the game's grandest stages is an incredible treat each year. We here at CBS Sports are thrilled to bring you wall-to-wall coverage with action streaming live all weekend.

CBS Sports golf anchor Jim Nantz is calling the action for the 34th consecutive year while hosting coverage from the super tower alongside lead analyst Trevor Immelman. Also at Valhalla for CBS Sports are Ian Baker-Finch, Frank Nobilo, Dottie Pepper, Colt Knost and Mark Immelman with Amanda Renner reporting and conducting interviews.

The 106th PGA Championship is the 34rd consecutive (and 41th overall) being broadcast by CBS Sports, which is offering multi-platform coverage throughout the week. In partnership with the PGA of America, CBS Sports is leading overall production efforts deploying 125 cameras and nearly 150 microphones to capture all the sights and sounds. Additional technological enhancements include Fly Cams, Bunker Cameras, state-of-the-art drone coverage, panoramic Falcon 360 cameras, Toptracer and more.

Enough talking about it. Here's how you can watch as much PGA Championship as possible Sunday. Be sure to stick with CBS Sports for live coverage throughout and  download the CBS Sports App  to watch the PGA Championship live on your mobile device.

All times Eastern

Round 4 -- Sunday, May 19

Round 4 start time:  7:45 a.m. [ Tee times ]

PGA Championship live stream:  8-10 a.m. on ESPN+

• Featured Groups -- 8 a.m.
• Holes 16-18 -- 8 a.m.

Early TV coverage:  10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on ESPN,  fubo  (Try for free)

Prime TV coverage:  1-7 p.m. on CBS, Paramount+

TV simulcast live stream:  1-7 p.m. Desktop and mobile:  Free on  CBSSports.com ,  CBS Sports App Connected devices*:  Available on  Paramount+ ,  CBS Sports App *Paramount+ login required

Clubhouse Report:  8-9 p.m. on CBS Sports Network Round 4 encore:  9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on CBS Sports Network

PGA coverage on CBS Sports Network

• PGA Championship On the Range -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Thursday, Friday) Pre-round player interviews, analysis, daily previews
• PGA Championship Clubhouse Report -- 8-9 p.m. (Thursday-Sunday) Post-round highlights, analysis, player interviews
• PGA Championship encore presentations Round 3 -- Sunday -- 6-10 a.m. Round 4 -- Sunday -- 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

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Another member of the PGA Tour Policy Board has resigned

T he PGA Tour announced Sunday evening, just a couple of hours after the conclusion of the 2024 PGA Championship, that Mark Flaherty has resigned from the PGA Tour Policy Board.

Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan thanked Flaherty for his "countless contributions" in a memo sent to PGA Tour membership Sunday night.

The Tour also released Flaherty's statement:

"Fellow Directors, I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from the PGA Tour Policy Board, effective immediately.

"It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Policy Board for the past 4 1⁄2 years. Golf has always been a significant part of my life. Being able to blend my passion for the sport with the intricate workings and growth of the PGA Tour has been a truly rewarding experience.

"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Commissioner Monahan and Chairman Herlihy for their leadership in driving a successful business and product agenda; it is one that consistently prioritizes our fans, players, title sponsors, media, tournaments, marketing partners and volunteers.

"Additionally, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the dedicated staff at the PGA Tour who work tirelessly to support the Board and ensure the flawless execution of our events each week, thus providing a superior product for the golf world to enjoy.

"Thank you to everyone for your support throughout my tenure on the Policy Board.

"Warm regards, Mark Flaherty."

Just six days ago, Jimmy Dunne, the Wall Street deal maker who helped architect the PGA Tour’s controversial deal with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund last summer, resigned from the Tour’s Policy Board.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Another member of the PGA Tour Policy Board has resigned

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Meet the pga of america members playing in the pga championship.

PGA Professional Champion Ben Polland leads the Corebridge Financial Team.

Ben Polland, PGA

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Michael Block, PGA

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Preston Cole, PGA

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Jeff Kellen, PGA

Brad Marek, PGA

Kyle Mendoza, PGA

Jesse Mueller, PGA

Zac Oakley, PGA

Tracy Phillips, PGA

Braden Shattuck, PGA

John Somers, PGA

Josh Speight, PGA

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Monahan issues memo to PGA Tour players; maps path forward with PIF, opposes rolling back the ball

One week after returning from a five-week absence recuperating from a medical situation, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan issued a player memo to tour membership Wednesday night, his first known mass communication since entering back into the swirl of controversy surrounding the tour’s commercial business arrangement with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.

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The memo, obtained by The Athletic , covered a variety of issues facing the tour, though reams of details regarding the tour’s deal with the PIF still need clarity. Monahan is expected to sit with players in-person in two weeks in Memphis in what will be a crucial meeting in getting the membership on board with the deal.

As for what Wednesday’s memo covered:

• Monahan says negotiations toward potential finalization (he uses the term “Definitive Agreement” in the memo) with the PIF and DP World Tour are “complicated and time intensive.”
• Tour players Patrick Cantlay and Webb Simpson will team with PGA Tour Policy Board members Mark Flaherty and Mary Meeker to form a search committee to fill the vacant board seat left by Randall Stephenson, who recently resigned over concerns with the tour’s deal with the Saudis.
• The tour will not support the proposed Model Local Rule (MLR) presented by the USGA and R&A that would give tournament organizers the option to require use of golf balls tested under modified launch conditions to dial back the distance of the golf ball.
• Player compensation tied to the creation of the tour’s new commercial business with the Saudi PIF will be “financially significant in total and incremental to our planned compensation package.”
• A task force has been created to develop potential pathways back to the PGA Tour for LIV players who wish to reapply in the future.
• Colin Neville from Raine Group has been retained as a third-party adviser to the five player directors who serve on the tour’s Policy Board and the 16 players on the Player Advisory Council.
• Former tour player Jason Gore is being promoted to executive vice president and chief player officer.

Filling Randall Stephenson’s open board seat

The tour’s controversial deal with the Saudi PIF will need to be approved by a 10-member policy board made up of five PGA Tour players and five independent board directors from the corporate world.

On July 9, that board had a seat open when the former AT&T executive Stephenson resigned his position, saying he could not “objectively evaluate or in good conscience support” the deal.

Stephenson had served on the tour’s board since 2012.

In the past, when an independent board seat would come open, the board’s other independent directors would typically put forward a suggested nominee to fill the fifth seat.

This time, according to Monahan’s memo, Cantlay and Simpson will be part of a search committee with the independent board members Flaherty and Meeker to suggest a nominee for Stephenson’s vacant seat.

Both Cantlay and Simpson are player directors on the policy board. The memo states the board seat will not be filled without unanimous board support.

PGA Tour will push back on rolling back the ball

Included in the memo is the tour’s stance that it will not support the proposed MLR.

The MLR, announced in March, proposed balls used in elite competition that would reduce hitting distance by 14-15 yards on average for the longest hitters with the highest clubhead speeds.

The memo states that while “there has been some level of support for limiting future increases, there is widespread and significant belief the proposed Modified Local Rule is not warranted and is not in the best interest of the game.” The determination is based on a discussion at a recently held PAC meeting.

The memo adds that the tour has notified the USGA and The R&A that it “is committed to collaborating with them — and all industry partners — to arrive at a solution that will best serve our players, our fans and the game at all levels, we are not able to support the MLR as proposed.”

A new third-party adviser to players

Neville, a partner at Raine Group — a New York-based sports, media and entertainment investment firm — has been retained as a third-party adviser to players on the tour’s Policy Board, the Player Advisory Council and the full membership.

Neville was the key figure in the proposed Premier Golf League that preceded LIV Golf. He was also reportedly invited to last summer’s seismic player-only meeting in Delaware and in direct communication with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

According to the memo, Neville is being asked to “ensure a transparent, efficient, and collaborative process.”

Additionally, the former tour player Gore will assume leadership over all player relations and player partnerships. Gore’s post is being presented to the players as further player outreach amid major hostilities within the ranks. The 49-year-old will report to Monahan in his role.

Gore won the 2005 84 Lumber Classic on the PGA Tour and was a seven-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour. He worked with the USGA after retiring from playing and joined the PGA Tour as a senior VP in 2022.

A task force to address LIV players eying a return to tour

One major sticking point among tour players in response to the deal with LIV is players who left the tour, and in some cases sued the tour, having a clean pathway to return.

According to Monahan’s memo, a new task force is “evaluating developing potential pathways back to the PGA Tour for LIV players who wish to reapply in the future.” The section is subtitled: “Player Discipline.”

That task force is led by Gore, chief tournaments and competitions officer Andy Pazder and executive vice president Neera Shetty.

No further details were provided regarding potential discipline.

Player compensation from the PIF deal

Monahan’s memo states he has received player feedback on the “potential structure, components and timeline” of a player benefit program related to yet-to-be finalized deal with Saudi PIF, and adds player earnings will be “financially significant in total and incremental to our planned compensation package,” but offers no further details. The memo states the “Player Benefit Program” is being led Pazder, Gore and executive VP and CFO Jay Madara.

Monahan’s health and return

Monahan returned to work on July 17 after five weeks of dealing with a health-related absence. He’s spent the time since both communicating with tour players and sorting through the many layers of the proposed new commercial company with the PIF, of which he will be CEO. Monahan has yet to make any public statements since his return.

In the memo to players, Monahan says he’s “fully recovered and feel stronger than ever, committed to representing the best interests of the PGA Tour and our members.”

Monahan will sit for a player meeting in Memphis next Tuesday.

The next day, the tour will unveil next year’s schedule and, according to the memo, “unveil record-breaking total compensation for the coming season.”

Required reading

• The PGA Tour, PIF and understanding the deal to shape golf’s future
• Can PGA Tour, PIF deal survive antitrust concerns?
• PGA Tour, PIF agreement: LIV Golf’s future will be determined by tour leadership
• In the PGA Tour, LIV Golf battle the money won. Morality was always secondary

(Photo: Adam Hagy / USA Today)

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Brendan Quinn is an senior enterprise writer for The Athletic. He came to The Athletic in 2017 from MLive Media Group, where he covered Michigan and Michigan State basketball. Prior to that, he covered Tennessee basketball for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Follow Brendan on Twitter @ BFQuinn

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PGA Championship course primer: 7 things to know about Valhalla

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The 2024 PGA Championship kicks off this week at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. Here's what you need to know about the host course.

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Valhalla means different things to different people. To fans of Norse mythology, it’s a place of legend. To fans of rock-and-roll, it’s a Led Zeppelin lyric. And to fans of professional golf, it’s a big-time tournament venue in Louisville, Ky., that returns to the spotlight this week as host of the 2024 PGA Championship .

With the first tee times set for Thursday morning, here are seven other things to know about Valhalla Golf Club.

It’s a bear by the Bear

Designed by Jack Nicklaus and first opened for play in 1986, Valhalla was a brawny test from birth, tipping out at a shade over 7,000 yards. And like many other championships layouts, it has only gotten longer. This week, it will play as a par 71, measuring 7,609 yards from the back tees.

It’s been a major stage before

This will be the fourth PGA Championship at Valhalla. Mark Brooks won the first, in 1996, in a playoff over Kentucky native Kenny Perry. Tiger Woods grabbed the second, in 2000, in an epic Sunday duel against Bob May. And Rory McIlroy reeled in the third, in 2014, edging Phil Mickelson by a stroke.

It inspires Ryder Cup recollections

Paul Azinger’s “pod” system. Boo Weekley’s “Happy Gilmore”-inspired horsey antics. The butt-kicking administered to Sergio Garcia by his future LIV compatriot Anthony Kim. These are just a few of the memorable moments from the 2008 Ryder Cup, at Valhalla, which Team USA won 16.5-11.5, ending a streak of three straight European victories.

Big-name seniors have done battle here, too

Valhalla has also hosted two Senior PGA Championships, and both winners were household names. Hale Irwin claimed the title in 2004, nipping Jay Haas by a stroke. And in 2011, Tom Watson won in a playoff over David Eger, who currently serves as a GOLF magazine course-rating panelist. Valhalla, Eger says, places a premium on driving. In his opinion, the toughest shots on the course are all off the tee on long par-4s: the 2nd, 6th, 12th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes. 

The holes have nicknames

Every hole at Valhalla has a moniker on the scorecard, including two inspired by the Louisville Lip himself, Mohammad Ali. The 8th, a 190-yard par-3 with a testy green defended by deep bunkers, is known as “Float like a Butterfly,” while the 12th, a 490-yard par-4, is a stout two-shotter nicknamed “Sting like a Bee.” (The 12th is also known to many as Odin’s Revenge, a cap-tip to the Norse god Odin, who presides over Valhalla in myth.)

A young Valhalla veteran

This will mark the first appearance in the PGA Championship for 22-year-old Akshay Bhatia. But it won’t be his first time around the venue. In 2018, Bhatia won the Junior PGA Championship at Valhalla, a successful defense of a title that he claimed the year before at the Country Club of St. Albans in Missouri.

A new month, a new grass

When Woods beat May, he did so in August. That was the case for every past PGA winner at Valhalla. This will mark the first time that Valhalla has hosted the event in May. And so, a different season. Also: a different turf. In preparation for this year’s event, the bentgrass fairways at Valhalla were removed and replaced with zoysia, which, because it can withstand tighter mowing in warm weather, should play firmer and faster during the tournament.

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A golf, food and travel writer, Josh Sens has been a GOLF Magazine contributor since 2004 and now contributes across all of GOLF’s platforms. His work has been anthologized in The Best American Sportswriting. He is also the co-author, with Sammy Hagar, of Are We Having Any Fun Yet: the Cooking and Partying Handbook.

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