When the 105th US PGA Championship is held at Oak Hill Country Club from May 18–21, Justin Thomas will defend his title. Thomas is vying for his third US PGA championship at the same venue as Jason Dufner claimed victory in 2013.
Here, we examine some of the leading candidates for the second major championship of the year.
Jon Rahm
With a 39th-place result at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a withdrawal from the Players Championship due to a stomach bug, and a failure to advance past the group stages of the WGC Dell Match Play, Rahm’s stellar early-season record had slightly dipped before the Masters. The first hole at Augusta National was then a four-putt for Rahm, who subsequently posted an opening 65 on his way to a four-shot triumph and his second major championship. his best finish was tied fourth at Bellerive in 2018 and he has two top 10 finishes in six US PGA appearances.
Brooks Koepka
Over the course of eight major tournament appearances, Koepka won four tournaments overall, including back-to-back US PGA Championships in 2018 and 2019. He also finished second at the 2019 Masters. The powerful American also finished in the top six of three major tournaments in 2021, but he was unable to compete in 2022 due to injuries and a decline in form. Although he previously admitted that if he had been fully fit, making the decision to join LIV Golf would have been much more difficult, he appeared to be close to his peak as he threatened to dominate the Masters from start to finish before being overtaken by Rahm.
Scottie Scheffler
was unable to follow in the footsteps of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods by winning back-to-back Masters tournaments, but a tie for 10th at Augusta National made sure that his lowest finish in 2023 would still be a tie for 12th in the Genesis Invitational. has only made three US PGA appearances, placing eighth in 2021 and fourth in 2020 before missing the cut at Southern Hills in 2017. currently leads the PGA Tour in greens in regulation, strokes gained from tee to green, and strokes gained off the tee, but is only rated 89th in total putting.
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy departed Austin Country Club feeling “really bullish” about the quality of his game and his chances of completing the career grand slam at Augusta, despite losing his semi-final of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play after leading by two with three to play. McIlroy withdrew from the RBC Heritage citing the need for a breather following a hectic month on and off the course. In reality, rounds of 72 and 77 ensured a demoralizing early departure. McIlroy, a club member and supporter of the East Course’s recent makeover, placed ninth in his title defense at Oak Hill in 2013.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Began the Masters by emphasizing the need for low expectations following a season marred by injuries, but finished 10th there before defeating Jordan Spieth in an exciting play-off for the RBC Heritage seven days later. had a dismal record at the US PGA before placing fifth last year; despite finishing the final round in the last group, he missed the play-off by two strokes. He was in the same situation in the US Open at Brookline a month later and delivered an excellent bunker shot on the 72nd hole to secure his first major victory.
Recommended Bets:
To win the PGA Championship is Rory McIlroy To win the PGA Championship is Brooks Koepka The PGA Championship will be won by Matthew Fitzpatrick. To win the PGA Championship will be Jon Rahm The PGA Championship will be won by Scottie Scheffler.
