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
-
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.
-
Scottie Scheffler
- Country: USA
- Comment: Despite the impending birth of his first child, Scheffler's focus has not wavered, winning his last two starts.
-
Brooks Koepka
- Country: USA
- Comment: A dominant force in PGA Championships, with three wins in the last six years, Koepka is a formidable contender.
-
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.
-
Collin Morikawa
- Country: USA
- Comment: The two-time major champion has recently regained confidence, making him a strong competitor.
-
Max Homa
- Country: USA
- Comment: With recent top-10 finishes in majors, Homa is in good form heading into Valhalla.
-
Jon Rahm
- Country: Spain
- Comment: Rahm looks to bounce back after a surprising T45 at the Masters, ready to dominate at Valhalla.
-
Ludvig Åberg
- Country: Sweden
- Comment: Despite a knee concern, Åberg’s strong performances continue, including a T10 at the RBC Heritage.
-
Bryson DeChambeau
- Country: USA
- Comment: Known for his unique approach, DeChambeau's power and strategy are well-suited for Valhalla.
-
Sepp Straka
- Country: Austria
- Comment: In excellent form, Straka has two top-10s among five top-20 finishes in his last six starts.
-
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.
-
Wyndham Clark
- Country: USA
- Comment: Known for his high-risk, high-reward style, Clark is a notable contender at Valhalla.
-
Sahith Theegala
- Country: USA
- Comment: Theegala is primed to make a significant impact at Valhalla, bringing his experience and skill to the fore.
-
Joaquin Niemann
- Country: Chile
- Comment: With consistent performances in U.S.-based majors, Niemann’s trajectory is on the rise.
-
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.
