ea pga tour long drive

EA SPORTS™ PGA TOUR™

Originally posted by Manhattan : shape shot by adding fade and low hit. Use Driver on Driver mode, tap the button for tiger power. Hit the fairway. That will do the trick for sure. A lot of challenges require a specific shot but start you off on wrong club and wrong shot type.

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Ea sports pga tour 23 review: beautifully realistic golf.

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EA Sports PGA Tour is focused on getting the most detail-oriented, technologically possible approach for a realistic golf video game. Developer EA Orlando & EA Madrid and publisher Electronic Arts acquired exclusive licensing to include the top golf tournaments. The Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open Championship, and The Open are all represented, along with the Augusta National Women's Amateur, the FedExCup, and many more.

In a Screen Rant PGA Tour interview , developers talked about what went into the course design process to make EA Sports PGA Tour as realistic as possible with the 30 courses currently available. The game is designed to feel incredibly immersive from the ground up and is genuinely photo-realistic on machines that are capable of handling the highest graphic settings.

Related: Every Course In EA Sports PGA Tour

EA Sports PGA Tour is stunning, and on the highest graphics settings, even the crowds along the sides of each course can feel realistic. The physics are crafted to take into account the slightest changes in the environment, swing controls, and more with a mind-blowing amount of things to tweak to get each shot just right. Unfortunately, this also creates a very steep learning curve for any casual players of the game, without a lot of leeways given when an amateur is truly an amateur.

Just as in a real-life golf career, as a player improves their golf game, they get to progress through different championships and events. EA Sports PGA Tour offers different ways to work on practicing, whether through trying to play through the Korn Tour, attempting to beat Challenges that the game sets up for players, grabbing a friend for some of the many multiplayer modes, or simply working on beating a player's own score in Stroke play.

The sports announcers in EA Sports PGA Tour are highly entertaining. Though it can be discouraging to hear the announcers making comments when things are going poorly during a round, the voice-over work is very smooth and features a large enough library of commentary that repeated statements are uncommon. This can help bring a person into the game and adds a lot to the immersion.

The Challenges mode within EA Sports PGA Tour offers several unique snapshots from games where a player is placed in a certain situation, often with a backstory of a real-life occurrence that event came from, and then are given three criteria they must accomplish to complete the Challenge.

Physics and environmental data were all closely analyzed in creating EA Sports PGA Tour , even to ensure that the ball behaves with next-gen responsiveness. When a shot is made, whether a long drive or a short putt, the ball will spin, bounce, dribble, and roll just as it would in real life on that course. Golf swing mechanics are applied based on the players' own movements with the controller, and according to developers, the use of EA Sports Pure Strike technology with PGA Tour ShotLink and TrackMan data gives a highly accurate result of what would have happened on a real golf course.

Considering how much of the player character is seen throughout the game, both in cut scenes and in lining up every shot, EA Sports PGA Tour should have made more options for character design. The women's hair in particular is poorly created considering the impressive technology used everywhere else. Currently, there seem to also be some bugs in registering swing mechanics with a controller joystick, which can be game-breaking with the amount of precision necessary for EA Sports PGA Tour . While hopefully that will be corrected with updates, at the time of this review, it made an already challenging game nearly impossible.

EA Sports PGA Tour is an absolutely beautiful and immersive golf game with a very realistic feel. The game can be quite demanding on even some of the better systems, so PC users should be forewarned to check the requirements and be ready to turn down graphic settings. It is a challenging game, but still a lot of fun and is a great foundation for players to become better with the ability to see true growth happening as they continue to practice, as long as the player has enough patience to get there.

Source: EA SPORTS PGA TOUR/YouTube

EA Sports PGA Tour is available now for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Screen Rant was provided with a Steam download code for the purpose of this review.

Our Rating:

• 3 star games
• EA Sports PGA Tour 23

PGA Championship

Valhalla golf club.

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 the Schefflers have officially welcomed their first baby into the world , which means the Masters champion has arrived at Valhalla. 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!

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

Here's a link to the PGA of America's fantasy game.

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_ .

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Koepka sets the stakes, and the menu, at PGA champions dinner at Churchill Downs

Brooks Koepka speaks during a news conference at the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Captain Brooks Koepka, of Smash GC, hits from the sixth tee during the second round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Scott Taetsch/LIV Golf via AP)

Xander Schauffele lines up a putt on the 13th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Ludvig Aberg, of Sweden, speaks during a news conference at for the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Seth Waugh speaks during a news conference at the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — For one evening, at least, the center of the golf universe was the world’s most famous horse track.

Defending PGA champion Brooks Koepka hosted the traditional champions dinner Tuesday night at Churchill Downs, a quick drive from Valhalla Golf Club, where he begins defense of his title Thursday.

Most of the sport’s still-active champions passed under the track’s celebrated twin spires for the get-together. One notable exception: Two-time champion Rory McIlroy did not attend.

Koepka called it a good time and said his chef helped the staff at the racetrack do the cooking. The menu went heavy on the smoked meats: smoked brisket, smoked beef short ribs, smoked fried chicken, smoked cedar plank salmon.

Koepka said he’s never been to a Kentucky Derby — one planned trip there in 2020 got scrubbed because of COVID-19.

Koepka, who has won the U.S Open twice and the PGA Championship three times, is still an outsider to the more-celebrated champions dinner at the Masters.

“I’m not able to go to the one at Augusta yet, but this one is super cool,” he said.

NO KNEED TO WORRY

Ludvig Aberg says his aching knee won’t keep him out of action this week at Valhalla.

The 24-year-old Swede, who turned pro last summer and already has a win on both the PGA and European tours to go with a second-place finish in his majors debut at last month’s Masters, skipped last week’s PGA Tour stop in Charlotte because of knee soreness.

He said he’s wearing a brace this week but the brace, like the off week, is more of a precaution than anything else.

“I’m consulting with my doctors and I trust them with everything that I have, so it’s not bothering me at all this week,” he said. “I look forward to playing.”

Aberg enters the week ranked sixth. He has five top-10 finishes in 10 PGA Tour events this season. He is ranked third on the tour in driving, something that should help him at long and damp Valhalla.

SCHAUFFELE SUSTAINS

Xander Schauffele arrived at Valhalla playing some of the best golf of his career, with little to show for it in the trophy case.

He led during the final round last week at Wells Fargo before Rory McIlroy zoomed past him over the closing holes. Schauffele has finished in the top 10 eight times in 12 starts in 2024, yet he remains without a victory since the Scottish Open nearly two years ago.

“At the end of the day, when I go to sleep, I remind myself that I’m playing at a really high level,” Schauffele said. “I’ve put myself in position. Seven years ago I won twice quickly, I had high expectations, then I didn’t win for a year or two, then I won two or three times in a year. It’s just kind of how it goes sometimes.”

Schauffele is still searching for his first major title, though he’s finished inside the top 20 in each of his last eight appearances at golf’s marquee events, including an eighth at the Masters last month.

“Unfortunately, I haven’t had the results in the end, but I’ve definitely had a lot of the adrenaline, the final groups, the close calls and things of that nature,” the 30-year-old said. “I learned to appreciate those times in my game because when you’re in 50th place playing on Sunday, it just doesn’t feel like it’s for much.”

TIGER WATCH

PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh reiterated Tuesday what Tiger Woods had said the day before: Talks between them about a potential Ryder Cup captaincy are still just that — talks.

Woods has made it clear that he would only accept the post if he could give his all to it, and he has been busy lately, most notably in trying to help the PGA Tour figure out a deal in its long-running negotiations with the owners of LIV Golf.

The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is set for September 2025. Waugh said the PGA is in no rush to name a captain.

“Everybody sort of has a timeline for this, and I realize it’s a news day and you guys want news, but we have picked captains later than this,” he said.

He mentioned Luke Donald being named as Europe’s captain late to replace Henrik Stenson, who was removed after joining LIV “and they had a pretty good performance.”

Europe won last year’s cup in Italy, 16 1/2-11 1/2.

“We think there’s plenty of time, and putting an artificial date on it is not something we need to do,” Waugh said.

AP National Writer Will Graves contributed to this report.

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

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Crazy reason punters are piling on Rory McIlroy to win PGA Championship after divorce

Punters are rushing to load up on golf champion Rory McIlroy this week following news he has filed for divorce.

The 35-year-old Northern Irish star has split from wife Erica Stoll after seven years married.

The news broke on Wednesday, the day before the year's second major - the PGA Championship - gets underway, and two days after McIlroy scored a breakthrough win at the Wells Fargo Championship.

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And pundits were quick to point out the intriguing symmetry with McIlroy's last major victory, the 2014 PGA Championship.

It was a decade ago this month when McIlroy called off his engagement to tennis superstar Caroline Wozniacki.

In the weeks that followed he won the BMW Championship and Bridgestone Invitational, as well as two of his four majors - the British Open and then the PGA Championship.

He also recorded three straight runner-ups in what was his best season on the PGA Tour.

Ironically he returns to Valhalla on Thursday night (AEST) for the first time since winning there in 2014 - the last of his four major victories.

It's been a decade without a major title for one of the sport's modern greats. He is now second-favourite to win this week, behind only world No.1 Scottie Scheffler.

“I'm ready to play this week," McIlroy said told media on Wednesday, after pointing out he wouldn't answer questions about his divorce from Stoll.

McIlroy is a player who is not unfamiliar with distraction. He long has been the loudest voice opposing LIV Golf, going back two years before a circuit funded by Saudi Arabian money even began. And then he changed his tune and cared only about unification.

McIlroy was on the PGA Tour policy board, then he left the board. He thought he had a path back onto the board until that was shut down last week. He has a lot going on.

And then came news of the divorce, leading to curiosity how this will affect his game.

It didn't seem to bother him at Quail Hollow last week, not with that eight-hole stretch he played in 8-under in the middle of his round for a 65.

And then there was 2014 when he was engaged to tennis star Wozniacki. The wedding invitations had just been sent when McIlroy broke it off with a phone call.

The news came out at the BMW Championship, Europe's biggest event. He wound up winning for the first time that year, then captured two majors and a World Golf Championship.

McIlroy has not played at Valhalla since he won in near darkness in 2014, managing to squeeze in a practice round between spells of showers.

“It doesn’t seem like that long ago that my game has felt this good,” McIlroy said.

“But I would say from a technical standpoint, some of the shots that I hit last week ... when I can see those three-quarter shots and those wedge shots starting on the right line, that obviously gives me a lot of confidence.

“I think it’s all about confidence and momentum, and I have a lot of confidence and quite a bit of momentum coming into this week. It's just about trying to keep that going.

“I think this is a golf course that allows you to play with freedom because it’s a big golf course. The corridors are wide, not too dissimilar to last week at Quail Hollow, so you can open your shoulders up off the tee and try to take your chances from there.”

- with AP

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Re: “long drive” fairway challenges.

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Full recap of Thursday and Friday at the PGA Championship

119 New Updates

Scottie Scheffler arrested by police before second round

World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was charged with assaulting a police officer outside Valhalla Golf Club hours before starting his second round at the 2024 PGA Championship.

Scheffler — who was also charged with third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic — was released by police just in time to take to the course for his tee-off time of 10:08am ET. He impressed with a five-under round of 66 that moved him into third, at nine-under for the tournament.

The Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections, who posted a mugshot of the 27-year-old, said he was booked in at 7.28am local time and released at 8.40am. Scheffler later described the incident as “a big misunderstanding”.

The start of Friday’s second round was delayed by 80 minutes because of an unrelated crash near the course . Louisville police said a shuttle bus had struck and killed a pedestrian outside the golf club. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg later named him as local man John Mills.

• YOU CAN FOLLOW live coverage of day three at the PGA Championship with us right here .

PGA Championship contender Robert MacIntyre credits ‘happy Bob’ mindset for good golf

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Robert MacIntyre is used to making on-the-fly adjustments, ones that have brought him to this moment — tied for fourth at the PGA Championship after shooting a 5-under-par 66 on Thursday.

The left-handed golfer grew up battling the swirling gusts customary to his hometown of Oban in the Scottish Highlands. He dominated Scotland’s amateur scene on the best links courses in the world, where failure to acclimate to changing conditions can drive you into the ground. But this week — as he plays the PGA Championship as a PGA Tour member for the first time — MacIntyre is facing his biggest adjustment yet.

MacIntyre earned his PGA Tour card after a successful 2023 DP World Tour season (formerly the European Tour). But since picking up his bags and establishing a base in Orlando, Fla., to play in the tour full time, MacIntyre has been open about the fact he’s struggling to adapt to his new lifestyle. He’s chasing his dream of winning major championships, but the day-to-day inner workings of that effort are not what he expected.

The weeks are long. The stakes are high. Many players keep to themselves. The environment is a stark contrast to MacIntyre’s experience on the DP World Tour, and it’s not just because he’s playing new golf courses with foreign strains of grass. His European peers like to chat. The Americans, in his experience, don’t. Swing coaches, psychologists and trainers accompany their players to practice sessions and dinners. On the DP World Tour, everyone is in it together. Time on the road felt like home away from home for MacIntyre. So far, the PGA Tour has been far from that.

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Scottie Scheffler is in a fight at this PGA Championship. It’s the best thing for golf

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In case anyone had forgotten how dominant he has been this season, Scottie Scheffler wasted little time reminding them Thursday at Valhalla Golf Club. The world’s top-ranked player returned from a three-week absence, drove his tee shot down the right side of the No. 1 fairway, then launched a ball 167 yards to the green, where it bounced once and dropped into the bottom of the cup for an eagle.

As the gallery roared at the 106th PGA Championship, Scheffler slapped hands with his caddie Ted Scott. A slight smirk crept across his face, as if to say, “Can you believe it?” Only there’s no reason to not believe it when it comes to Scheffler, whose dominance has been so complete since March that the story can be told without saying a word. Just listen to the pauses and sighs that precede most of the comments when opponents are asked about his play.

Scheffler shoots 4-under 67

(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)

Scottie Scheffler finishes his first round with a 4-under 67.

It is the sixth time Scheffler has gained five-plus shots on the field tee-to-green in a major championship round since the beginning of 2022.

No other player in that span has more than three such rounds.

Rahm rallies, shoots 1-under-par

Jon Rahm today:

First 12 holes: 3 over, -2.50 strokes gained putting.

Last six holes: 4 under, +1.14 strokes gained putting.

Rahm finishes with a 1-under 70.

Tom Kim shoots 66

Tom Kim (66 today, age 21) is the youngest player to begin a PGA Championship with 66 or better since Sergio Garcia opened with 66 in 1999 at age 19.

Scheffler birdies 15

After a three-putt bogey on the par-3 14th, Scottie Scheffler responds with a birdie on 15.

The champions know how to follow up bogeys with birdies.

Scheffler is 4-under-par with three holes to play.

Tom Hoge shoots 66

Eight birdies today for Tom Hoge

His previous career-high in a major championship round was just five.

Currently leading the field in average proximity to the hole.

Scheffler 3-putt bogey on 14

After birdieing No. 13, Scottie Scheffler with a three-putt bogey on the 14th.

Scheffler falls back to 3-under-par, six back of leader Xander Schauffele.

Tom Kim in the mix

One year ago at the PGA Championship, Tom Kim famously fell into a muddy creek at Oak Hill, becoming one of the buzzy moments of the major.

One year later, Kim is in the mix near the top of the leaderboard at Valhalla.

Kim is 5-under-par through 13 holes, having one of the rounds of the day in the afternoon wave.

First down, Jon Rahm

(Photo: Kyle Porter)

It's been an adventurous first round for Jon Rahm at the PGA Championship.

Golfers under par at the PGA Championship

There are currently 64 players under par at Valhalla Golf Club.

The most players under par after round one of the PGA Championship is 60 (2006 at Medinah).

Wyndham Clark responds after an opening bogey

After bogeying his first hole of the PGA Championship, Wyndham Clark responded with birdies on holes 4, 7 and 8.

Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, is with a plethora of golfers at 2-under-par.

Brian Harman's relief on No. 7

This type of relief being awarded to any PGA Tour player, much less in a major, is just baffling to me. I just don’t buy that the cart path was in play at all. And it slowed down what is already a slow group, as Harman hesitated over the initial lie and then brought in a rules official.

On a side note, perfect touch for ESPN production to drop a “PGA Jr. League” graphic onto the screen. Because nothing will get kids into this game quite like a grown man dropping a ball from his knee.

Thomas Detry 4 under through 9

Among the golfers in the afternoon wave, Thomas Detry is having a stellar start.

Playing the back side first, Detry is 4 under through his first nine holes, which includes birdies at 17 and 18.

Detry is five off the lead making the turn.

McIlroy keeping it tight (-lipped)

Rory McIlroy, a man known for being physically incapable of not giving his thoughts on things, has turned questions that even so much as acknowledge outside issues into non-answers.

💬 "I'm ready to play this week."

💬 "It's always nice to be inside the ropes."

💬 "Happy to be here."

It's already a long way back

That is just an absolutely disastrous beginning for Jon Rahm, who as you've seen is 4-over through six holes.

The 2023 Masters champion and 2021 U.S. Open winner has bogeyed 2, 4, 5 and 6. Keep in mind that while three of the four are playing over par today, the par-4 4th has a 3.84 scoring average and is a definite birdie opportunity.

Even if it's a difficult opening stretch, to drop strokes on all four just cannot be done if you are to make any sort of run at this thing.

Right now Rahm is tied for 141st out of 156 people in the field, knotted up with names like Ryan van Velzen and Takumi Kanaya.

A rank start for Rahm

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T142: Jon RAHM (+4) +4 thru 6

Goodness me, what a horrible day it's been already for Jon Rahm.

The Spaniard is on a run of three consecutive bogeys and has actually dropped shots at four of his first six holes.

The opportunities are there to claw the shots back - but only if you're in the form to take them.

Xander Schauffele leads the PGA Championship. But can he finish the job?

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This didn’t change your mind at all, did it? You knew Xander Schauffele would be here. You knew he’d play Round 1 at the PGA Championship well. Because when you’re a golf-playing robot, when there’s no difference in your mind between Thursday and Sunday, there’s zero doubt you’ll be right in the mix at a major.

This is why Schauffele does deserve your respect, why he’s been the second-best golfer in the world on paper. Schauffele does not have bad weeks. He hasn’t finished outside the top 25 since February. He hasn’t been outside the top 20 in a major since April 2022. The only person with more top-10s than Schauffele (8) is world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (9). And Thursday at Valhalla, Schauffele shot a course-record 62 to remind everyone of what Schauffele really is: A great golfer.

Yet none of it means a damn thing to you, does it?

It won’t until he does it on Sunday. No matter how many times you’re told how great Schauffele is, how consistent he is or how many times he’s finished toward the top of the FedEx Cup standings, you won’t treat him like one of the best golfers of his era until you see him on a Sunday, on the biggest stages, staring down his peers and holding on for a win.

Read more about Schauffele's round here .

Scheffler drops a shot

After a 3-under-par start, Scottie Scheffler bogeys the par-4 5th hole after finding the right greenside bunker.

Scheffler is 2 under for the tournament, seven back of leader Xander Schauffele.

Justin Thomas explains driver switch at Wells Fargo Championship

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In preparation for this week’s Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club and next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club – two courses where long and straight drives are imperative – Justin Thomas is making an unexpected driver change.

In his first full season using the TSR3 driver on the PGA TOUR, Thomas ranked a respectable 62nd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, but has since seen his ranking fall to 82nd in the same category in 2024.

So, with a couple of weeks off following his latest start at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Thomas sought to re-address his driver setup with the remote help of Titleist Tour fitting expert J.J. Van Wezenbeeck. About two weeks ago, Thomas and Van Wezenbeeck reviewed his recent driver stats, and discussed via phone call some possible driver and shaft combinations for him to try.

After receiving Van Wezenbeeck’s personalized shipment of product options while at home, Thomas found significant performance improvements with Titleist’s TSR2 head, equipped with Thomas’ familiar Mitsubishi Diamana ZF 60TX shaft.

With a Signature Event and a major championship to be played in the next two weeks, Thomas is looking to re-ignite his driver game with Titleist’s new TSR2 driver in the bag. (Courtesy GolfWRX)

Compared to Thomas’ longtime TSR3 model, the TSR2 has a larger footprint and offers slightly higher spin and launch characteristics.

According to Van Wezenbeeck, Thomas has picked up about 2-3 mph of ball speed, to go along with 1.5 degrees higher launch and more predictable mishits.

“I’d say I’d been driving it fine, not driving it great, so I just wanted to, honestly, just test or try some stuff,” Thomas said on Tuesday in an interview with GolfWRX.com at Quail Hollow Club. “I had used that style of head a couple years ago (Thomas used a TSi2 driver around 2021); I know it’s supposed to have a little more spin. Obviously, yeah, I’d love to hit it further, but if I can get a little more spin and have my mishits be a little more consistent, I felt like obviously that’d be better for my driving…

“This (TSR2) has been great. I’ve really, really driven it well the week I’ve used it. Just hitting it more solid, I don’t know if it’s the look of it or what it is, but just a little bit more consistent with the spin numbers. Less knuckle-ball curves. It has been fast. Maybe just a little faster than what I was using. Maybe it could be something with the bigger head, maybe mentally it looks more forgiving.”

With a Signature Event and a major championship to be played in the next two weeks, Thomas is looking to re-ignite his driver game with Titleist’s new TSR2 driver in the bag.

Although Thomas is making a seemingly significant driver model switch-up this week at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, he’s finding comfort in the fact that he’s only switching the head, not the shaft, too.

“I trust (Van Wezenbeeck) and I trust the guys at Titleist,” Thomas said. “I feel I can make a swing and it’s doing what I want it to do, or I feel like it should do. Just putting a different head on and using the same shaft I’ve used forever is nice. There’s definitely some other shafts he sent that were great, but I think changing two things at once… it eliminates a question mark. At least if something is off, it’s like, OK, it’s maybe something with the head because I have the same shaft.”