The second major of the year will be held at the Valhalla CC course in Kentucky. This week will see the PGA Championship taking place from Thursday to Sunday. The second major of the year, often considered the least prestigious of the four, comes at a time of growth for LIV following a record-breaking attendance in Australia three weeks ago, where 94,000 spectators filled the stands at the Adelaide course. But it also comes at a time when the stars of the PGA Tour are in good playing form.
Rory McIlroy, one of the biggest stars and the face of the PGA Tour, arrives at the major where he has had the most success, with two victories. He is the clear favorite thanks to his back-to-back wins at the Zurich Classic and last Sunday at the Wells Fargo Championship, an event noted for its innovation.
Furthermore, McIlroy also won this same major at the same course, Valhalla, in 2014. The Northern Irishman will seek to break his dry spell as it approaches a decade since his last major triumph. One of the main obstacles contributing to his drought could be the pressure he has placed on himself.
In any case, Rory finds himself in a deja vu moment, as he won his second PGA ten years ago after two consecutive victories. “I just need to win another major,” he said after his Wells Fargo win. His recent divorce could be a double-edged sword, serving as both a relief or a psychological burden.
Scheffler, among the favorites
Scottie Scheffler also emerges as one of the top contenders following his Masters win and being the most in-form player currently. However, if he makes the cut, he will not have his usual caddie, Ted Scott, by his side on Saturday due to personal reasons. Scheffler also arrives at this major after becoming a father. If victorious, he would be the first since Spieth in 2015 to win the first two majors of the year.
Lastly, Talor Gooch will participate as a special guest in his first major after previously stating that LIV players should be in these events based solely on their golf level prior to the Masters. “It feels great that what I believe, which is being rewarded according to the level of play in our league, with great players, courses, and considering all factors -having the year I had, I played very well last year- and it’s great that good golf is rewarded and recognized. Hopefully it will continue this way,” said the American in a press conference prior to the PGA Championship.
Thanks to the PGA’s shift to being the second major of the year instead of the last, the event’s scale has increased (156 players compared to the Masters’ 89) and the significant excitement from previous editions, transforming the “lesser major” into an increasingly captivating spectacle.
Koepka, ready to make history
The story of last year was written by the reigning champion Brooks Koepka, becoming the first LIV player to win a major since the league’s inception. Koepka arrives with a golden opportunity to become the only player in history to win two PGA Championships consecutively on two different occasions, as his confidence peaks following his LIV Singapore victory a week ago.
However, the most heartwarming story of the previous edition was seeing how a local professional from a California course secured an impressive tenth place, earning a spot in this year’s tournament. The previous edition also had its share of drama, with Mito Pereira, now affiliated with LIV, ending with a double bogey that cost him the title, ultimately won by Justin Thomas.
The 106th edition of the PGA Championship (Professional Golfers’ Association) will once again showcase excellent golf and a thrilling battle to add another title to the participants’ trophies. The competition starts this Thursday at 1:15 PM Spanish time and will be broadcasted on Movistar+ (golf channel) until Sunday.
