Power Rankings: PGA Championship

Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, is set to host the 106th PGA Championship, welcoming a strong field of top golfers. Below is a ranking of those projected to contend, along with an overview of the course.

Power Rankings

  1. Rory McIlroy

    • Country: Northern Ireland
    • Comment: As the “defending” champion at Valhalla from his 2014 win, McIlroy is in top form, aiming to add another major to his tally.
  2. Scottie Scheffler

    • Country: USA
    • Comment: Despite the impending birth of his first child, Scheffler's focus has not wavered, winning his last two starts.
  3. Brooks Koepka

    • Country: USA
    • Comment: A dominant force in PGA Championships, with three wins in the last six years, Koepka is a formidable contender.
  4. Xander Schauffele

    • Country: USA
    • Comment: Consistently performing in majors, Schauffele is fresh off a runner-up finish at Quail Hollow, his eighth top-10 of 2024.
  5. Collin Morikawa

    • Country: USA
    • Comment: The two-time major champion has recently regained confidence, making him a strong competitor.
  6. Max Homa

    • Country: USA
    • Comment: With recent top-10 finishes in majors, Homa is in good form heading into Valhalla.
  7. Jon Rahm

    • Country: Spain
    • Comment: Rahm looks to bounce back after a surprising T45 at the Masters, ready to dominate at Valhalla.
  8. Ludvig Åberg

    • Country: Sweden
    • Comment: Despite a knee concern, Åberg’s strong performances continue, including a T10 at the RBC Heritage.
  9. Bryson DeChambeau

    • Country: USA
    • Comment: Known for his unique approach, DeChambeau's power and strategy are well-suited for Valhalla.
  10. Sepp Straka

    • Country: Austria
    • Comment: In excellent form, Straka has two top-10s among five top-20 finishes in his last six starts.
  11. Byeong Hun An

    • Country: South Korea
    • Comment: An is poised for his first top-15 finish in a major, entering the tournament with strong momentum.
  12. Wyndham Clark

    • Country: USA
    • Comment: Known for his high-risk, high-reward style, Clark is a notable contender at Valhalla.
  13. Sahith Theegala

    • Country: USA
    • Comment: Theegala is primed to make a significant impact at Valhalla, bringing his experience and skill to the fore.
  14. Joaquin Niemann

    • Country: Chile
    • Comment: With consistent performances in U.S.-based majors, Niemann’s trajectory is on the rise.
  15. Justin Thomas

    • Country: USA
    • Comment: Despite erratic form, the local native and two-time major winner benefits from hometown support.

Course Overview

Valhalla Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus design, will challenge the field with a par-71 layout extending to 7,609 yards. Known for its demanding yet fair setup, Valhalla emphasizes course management and precise driving. The greens, featuring the heat-tolerant T-1 bentgrass, are expected to be fast, adding to the course's complexity. Weather conditions might introduce some variability, but overall, Valhalla promises a comprehensive test of skill and strategy for the competitors.

Tournament Details

  • Exemptions for Winner:
    • Lifetime PGA Championship entry
    • Five-year exemption into the other three majors
    • Spots in the last two Signature Events of 2024 and 2025 editions of The Sentry and THE PLAYERS Championship
    • PGA TOUR membership through 2029

This year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club is set to be a compelling contest, showcasing the best in the sport under challenging and exciting conditions.