2024 PGA Championship Players to Watch

ST. LOUIS – Well, all seemed right in the world of golf after last week and the storied Quail Hollow Country Club’s Wells Fargo Championship. Our favorite brought home the hardware in spectacular fashion playing holes 8-15 on Sunday afternoon in 8 under par. Read the 2024 PGA Championship players to watch article below. 

Yes, that stretch left Xander, who held a one stroke lead standing on the eighth tee, in the dust with yet another unconverted, 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour.

On to the PGA Championship!!!

Valhalla Golf Club, in Louisville, Kentucky is the host venue this week. It opened in the late 90’s at 7100 yards, has hosted a Ryder Cup, which the Red, White, and Blue won, and has recently had 500 or so yards added to it to try and test the world’s best players.  

That’s right, we have a united event with every meaningful player in the field. (Louis Oosthuizen, a member of LIV tour was invited but turned down the opportunity because of a family conflict). The major championships hold even more significance now because it is the only time LIV players will play alongside their former PGA Tour competitors.

This week we need to find the mudders in the field. With the insane amount of rain the Midwest has received, the golf course will play extra-long, but don’t be fooled: these guys will go low regardless. 

Forget that seven of the 11 par fours are over 460 yards long. Double digit under par can be assured.

Favorites

Brooks Koepka

Winner of 5 Major Championships already, the defending PGA Champion also won his last LIV start.  This guy loves playing with a chip on his shoulder, whether real or perceived. 

His mental strength in finding a place to go once the event gets underway is amazing.  He believes in what he is doing and will be heard from this week. He’s +1600.

Rory McIlroy

Winner of his last two starts, a four-time major championship winner, and the recently single Irishman is in top form.

He has won here before and by all accounts his game is ready. His biggest hurdle is the mental gymnastics he must endure to get back into the winner’s circle for a major. It has been over a decade since he’s won one and the more time that passes, the harder and bigger the obstacle becomes.

Will this divorce business be upsetting?? Nah, he knew last week his marriage was over and look how much that affected him. He’s +700.

The Don’t Count Em Outs

Jon Rahm

This man came into this event last year with four wins under his belt, including a Master’s win. Last year, he was the favorite at +800 and, this year, his odds are three times higher. He has a great track record at Jack’s place in Ohio (Muirfield Village), and since this is also a Jack Nicklaus design, I like his chances.

The power fade fits beautifully, and he is the outright leader for birdies made on the LIV circuit. At +2400 he may be the best value pick.

He has said dumb things this week via his pressers, and he is dealing with public fallout with his LIV defection. If he finds some peace internally, he will either win or be in the top five.

Bryson DeChambeau

Did I happen to mention how long this track will play? Well then, let’s bet on the longest great player in the field. He loves Muirfield Village and if he regains the same magic that led to his Memorial victory, then this week will belong to him.

He’s another value pick at +3000.

Wyndham Clark

Somehow the reigning US Open champ is going off at +4500. If I could add a head scratching meme right now, I would. He is tough, super long, and knows exactly what it takes to get this done.  

The Longshots

Ok as I wrap this up, I will give you two more names that I expect to contend with. Both are great players but perhaps not household names just yet. 

Sepp Straka at +1100 is not what I would call a value pick at all. But this guy has been doing nothing but playing well and whether it’s a big stage like a major, next biggest stage like an elevated event like last week (T8th), or the Cognizant at PGA National, where he won, Straka just keeps showing up on that leaderboard. 

My last player to watch is Sungjai Im. This man won two weeks ago in Korea, finished top five last week in Charlotte, and is a walking, talking birdie machine. At +6500, he is worth looking into.