My old Kentucky home.
Well, not mine, but you get the point
106th PGA Championship
Valhalla Golf Club
Louisville, Kentucky
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Thoughts on Chalk (odds via Bet365.com)
Scottie Scheffler (4/1): I’ve said this before golf is not played in a vacuum. These are human beings dealing with human being stuff. Just ask Jon Rahm! A new baby, new way of life, and new responsibilities change people. Winning the press conference this week is easier than winning the golf tournament. I don’t think he misses the cut, but I’m playing this cautiously, if at all, because there’s no value in getting it right.
Rory McIlroy (7/1): Real life is also happening in the McIlroy camp as well. Multiple outlets reported he filed for divorce TWO DAYS AGO in Palm Beach County, Florida. The winner of his last two events played on TOUR has obviously not been bothered on the golf course by this impending decision. The timing is nothing short of interesting. The reigning champion from 2014 made Valhalla his third win in a row. I’m expecting history to repeat this week.
Brooks Koepka (14/1): After T40-whocares at the Masters, I read about how he couldn’t make anything, he was not scoring, the whole bit. Then he won two weeks ago. The 2023 champ would join Tiger Woods in winning this event FOUR times with a victory this week. He would also join Woods in defending the title twice. The longer, wetter, and more demanding the layout, his value increases. It’s him or McIlroy for me this week.
Xander Schauffele (14/1): Through 54 holes last week, I thought the drought from the summer of 2022 was old news. Nope. There’s no shame in getting beaten by McIlroy on the back nine on Sunday. I wasn’t expecting Rory to have a SEVEN SHOT LEAD on the 18th tee box. Take his top 10 price, up the ante, and you should be fine again this week.
Jon Rahm (16/1): The Masters told me everything I needed to know about this version. Pass.
Ludvig Aberg (18/1): If his knee doesn’t bother him, the tight driving conditions and big ballpark will not either. After running solo second at Augusta, I can’t look away. Running 18/1, there’s little value in hoping he begins his major career with back-to-back top-10 paydays.
Bryson DeChambeau (25/1): It’s not Winged Foot, and it’s not Oak Hill, but Valhalla is similar. A previous winner at Muirfield Village GC, another Nicklaus design, I won’t talk you out of him.
Max Homa (25/1): I love the Quail Hollow Club warm-up for him. Big vibes this week after T8 at WFC. Cashing T3 at Augusta National and T10 at Royal Liverpool in his last two majors, his confidence will be sky-high. I’ll write another top-10 ticket for him this week.
Collin Morikawa (28/1): Remember, his two major championships are on courses that are less than 7,300 yards. The wetter, the worse for wear, I believe, this week. A previous winner at MVGC, his super iron play will be his superpower again this week.
Players to consider for Top 10, Top 20, or Top 40 action:
Tommy Fleetwood (35/1): If I had a win ticket on him last week in Charlotte and he cashed T13, surely I can’t abandon him this week. Finishing T13, T3, and T7 on 7,438 yards or better in three of his last four starts, I will run him out again to grind out another top 10 and top 20 finish.
Justin Thomas (50/1): No way I’m leaving the hometown star off my ticket. This number is fantastic for a recent TWO-TIME WINNER of this event. He’s flashed just enough (T21, T5) in his last two outings to inspire.
Sahith Theegala (60/1): Over the last 18 months, he’s shown the goods on every kind of grass in every kind of event. It might not be this week, but he needs to be on the radar for the biggest events. Don’t let one round of 82 last week sour his chances this week.
Shane Lowry (90/1): Too many recent big results in this event to ignore. The tougher the driving, the tougher he gets.
Corey Conners (90/1): Ran well at Kiawah Island and was in the final two groups on Sunday last year at Oak Hill. Hasn’t MC since the U.S. Open last summer.
Denny McCarthy (100/1): Beaten in a playoff at MVGC last year and defeated in a playoff last month at VTO. Never missed in four previous.
Akshay Bhatia (110/1): Won the 2018 Junior PGA Championship here.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout (150/1): Lovely top 10 and top 20 chance.
NOW PLAYING:
| Host Course | Valhalla Golf Club |
| Yards (per official scorecard): | 7,609. |
| Par: | 71 (35-36). |
| Greens: | T-1 Bentgrass; 5,000 square feet (third smallest on TOUR 2024). |
| Stimpmeter: | 13 feet. Sub-Air system in use. |
| Rough: | Tall fescue and Bluegrass at four inches. |
| Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play | 62/5/7. |
| Architect(s): | Jack Nicklaus. |
| Defending Champion (event): | Brooks Koepka |
| Defending Champion (course): | Rory McIlroy (2014). |
| Multiple Champion(s) Entered: | Tiger Woods (4), Brooks Koepka (3), Justin Thomas (2), Phil Mickelson (2), and Rory McIlroy (2). |
| 18-hole Record (majors) | 62; Xander Schauffele (U.S. Open, 2023), Rickie Fowler (U.S. Open, 2023), and Branden Grace (The Open, 2017). |
| Course Record (latest): | 63; Jose-Maria Olazabal, 2000. |
| 72 Hole Tournament Record: | 268 (Par-71); Rory McIlroy (2014). 270 (Par-72); Tiger Woods & Bob May (2000). |
| Facts of the Week: | Valhalla is hosting the PGA Championship for the fourth time. Only Southern Hills in Tulsa has hosted more championships (5). |
Valhalla Golf Club
Hosting the PGA Championship for the fourth time, Valhalla crowned champions in 2014 (Rory McIlroy), 2000 (Tiger Woods), and 1996 (Mark Brooks). The club has also hosted the 2008 Ryder Cup and the 2011 and 2004 Senior PGA Championship.
The Jack Nicklaus design, opened in 1986, originally played to a Par-72 at 7,144 for the 1996 championship.
The 2014 edition featured T-1 Bentgrass greens, shifted to Par-71 (35-36), and was extended to 7,458 yards.
For 2024, four tee boxes were extended (Nos. 1, 12, 14, and 18), and the course added 151 yards.
Zeon Zoysia fairways and tee boxes debuted in 2021. Valhalla becomes the third PGA Championship to feature Zoysiagrass fairways (2018 Bellerive, 2011 Atlanta Athletic Club). With only 23 acres of fairway snaking around doglegs that turn right and left, the four inches of tall fescue and Bluegrass will see plenty of action.
Forced carries into perched and protected greens will test shot-making and decision-making. With only 5,000 square feet to aim for, the putting surfaces, on average, ranked third smallest on TOUR behind Harbour Town and Pebble Beach.
The second major championship of the season will also test putting acumen on pure Bentgrass greens. TPC Craig Ranch is the only TOUR event this season that has featured Bentgrass surfaces on the greens.
Torrey Pines (South) and Corales (Corales Puntacana) are the only courses used this season that measure longer. Featuring six Par-4 holes that extend 472 yards or more, the four Par-3 holes range between 190 and 254 yards. The three Par-5 holes range between 570 and 597 yards.
Sub-Air systems will control the speeds on the greens.
Hazards include 62 bunkers and five water penalty areas in play across seven holes.
The 2014 championship produced the third-fewest rounds over par in PGA Championship history.
Jose-Maria Olazabal posted the tournament course record with 63 in 2000.
Tiger Woods and Bob May own the Par-72 scoring record of 270 (-18).
Rory McIlroy owns the Par-71 scoring record of 268 (-16).
Recent Winners
2023 Season Winners
| Event | Winner |
| Sentry Tournament of Champions | Jon Rahm |
| Sony Open in Hawaii | Si Woo Kim |
| The AMERICAN EXPRESS | Jon Rahm (2) |
| Farmers Insurance Open | Max Homa (2) |
| AT&T Pebble Beach | Justin Rose |
| WM Phoenix Open | Scottie Scheffler |
| The Genesis Invitational | Jon Rahm (3) |
| The Honda Classic | Chris Kirk |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | Kurt Kitayama (first TOUR win) |
| THE PLAYERS Championship | Scottie Scheffler (2) |
| Valspar Championship | Taylor Moore (first TOUR win) |
| Corales Puntacana | Matt Wallace (first TOUR win) |
| WGC – Dell Technologies MP | Sam Burns |
| Valero Texas Open | Corey Conners |
| Masters | Jon Rahm (4) |
| RBC Heritage | Matt Fitzpatrick |
| Zurich Classic of New Orleans | Davis Riley & Nick Hardy (first TOUR win for each) |
| Mexico Open at Vidanta | Tony Finau (2) |
| Wells Fargo Championship | Wyndham Clark (first TOUR win) |
| AT&T Byron Nelson | Jason Day |
| PGA Championship | Brooks Koepka |
| Charles Schwab Challenge | Emiliano Grillo |
| Memorial | Viktor Hovland |
| RBC Canadian Open | Nick Taylor |
| U.S. Open | Wyndham Clark (2) |
| Travelers Championship | Keegan Bradley (2) |
| Rocket Mortgage Classic | Rickie Fowler |
| John Deere Classic | Sepp Straka |
| Genesis Scottish Open | Rory McIlroy (2) |
| The Open Championship | Brian Harman |
| 3M Open | Lee Hodges (first TOUR win) |
| Wyndham Championship | Lucas Glover |
| FedEx St. Jude Championship | Lucas Glover (2) |
| BMW Championship | Viktor Hovland (2) |
| TOUR Championship | Viktor Hovland (3) |
| Fortinet Championship | Sahith Theegala |
| Sanderson Farms Championship | Luke List |
| Shriners Children’s Open | Tom Kim |
| ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP | Collin Morikawa |
| World Wide Technology | Erik van Rooyen |
| Butterfield Bermuda | Camilo Villegas |
| The RSM Classic | Ludvig Aberg |
2024 Season Winners
| Event | Winner |
| The Sentry | Chris Kirk |
| Sony Open in Hawaii | Grayson Murray |
| The American Express | Nick Dunlap (a) |
| Farmers Insurance Open | Matthieu Pavon (rookie) |
| AT&T Pebble Beach | Wyndham Clark (54 holes) |
| WM Phoenix Open | Nick Taylor |
| The Genesis Invitational | Hideki Matsuyama |
| Mexico Open at Vidanta | Jake Knapp (rookie) |
| Cognizant Classic | Austin Eckroat (first time) |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | Scottie Scheffler |
| THE PLAYERS Championship | Scottie Scheffler (2) |
| Valspar Championship | Peter Malnati |
| Texas Children’s Houston Open | Stephan Jaeger (first time) |
| Valero Texas Open | Akshay Bhatia |
| 88th Masters Tournament | Scottie Scheffler (3) |
| RBC Heritage | Scottie Scheffler (4) |
| Zurich Classic | Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry |
| THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson | Taylor Pendrith (first time) |
| Wells Fargo Championship | Rory McIlroy (2) |
106th PGA Championship
The PGA Championship moved to May for the 2019 edition and beyond.
The fourth PGA Championship at Valhalla will be the first one played in May.
Jack Nicklaus (5), Tiger Woods (4), and Brooks Koepka (3) have won the most stroke-play championships. Other multiple winners in the field this week include Louisville native Justin Thomas (2022, 2017), the oldest major champion, Phil Mickelson (2021, 2005), and reigning Valhalla champion from 2014, Rory McIlroy (2014, 2012).
The only all-professional major championship, the field of 156 players includes 20 PGA Club professionals and 98 of the top 100 players in the Official World Golf Rankings.
The PGA Championship evolved to stroke play for the 40th edition in 1958. The top 70 players and ties after 36 holes will advance to the final two rounds.
In the last five championships, only Collin Morikawa has won a major championship for the first time.
The last seven championships have been won by four different players. Koepka (3), Thomas (2), Mickelson, and Morikawa.
Koepka, the last player to successfully defend the championship (2018-19), also is the last player to win in wire-to-wire fashion (2019).
The only players to win on debut this century are Shaun Micheel (2003), Keegan Bradley (2011), and Collin Morikawa (2020).
Winning the 2012 edition at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, McIlroy set the record for margin of victory, eight shots.
Mickelson won the 2021 playing at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island at age 51, the oldest player to win a major championship.
The field consists of 16 former champions and 34 players who teed it up in the 2014 event.
The winner will take home 750 FedExCup points.
The purse will be announced during the tournament.
Recent Winners – PGA Championship
Italics – not entered this week.
| Year | Winner | Notes |
| 2023 | Brooks Koepka (-9) | Closed with three rounds in the 60s at Oak Hill to win by two and claim his third Wanamaker Trophy. |
| 2022 | Justin Thomas (-5) | Equaled the largest come-from-behind victory (7 shots) to force and win a playoff at Southern Hills over Will Zalatoris. |
| 2021 | Phil Mickelson (-6) | Held off Koepka by two shots at Kiawah Island to become the oldest major champion at 51 years old. |
| 2020 | Collin Morikawa (-13) | Joined Keegan Bradley (2011) and Shaun Micheel (2003) as the only winners on debut in recent history. |
| 2019 | Brooks Koepka (-8) | Held off Tiger Woods while seting the 36-hole scoring record (63-65) and easily defended his 2018 title at Bethpage Black. |
| 2018 | Brooks Koepka (-16) | Posted 264 (-16) at Bellerive to set the majors scoring record. |
| 2017 | Justin Thomas (-8) | Made up two shots on Sunday at Quail Hollow Club to win by two and claim his first major championship. |
| 2016 | Jimmy Walker (-14) | The Texan won his only major on a soggy Baltusrol and kept Jason Day from defending the title. |
| 2015 | Jason Day (-20) | Set the PGA scoring record to par at a calm Whistling Straits for his only major championship. |
One and Done
I’ll be joining Spotter’s game again this season. Now, where did I put my checkbook…
35 events.
1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy gets kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).
1 use per year.
Add up the total money and Spotter is yer uncle!
| Event | Selection | Earnings |
| The Sentry | Collin Morikawa | 690,500 |
| Sony Open in Hawaii | Corey Conners | 18,592 |
| The American Express | Adam Hadwin | 310,800 |
| Farmers Insurance Open | Jason Day | 0 |
| AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Jordan Spieth | 70,125 |
| WM Phoenix Open | Matt Fitzpatrick | 156,200 |
| The Genesis Invitational | Max Homa | 329,000 |
| Mexico Open at Vidanta | Tony Finau | 145,125 |
| Cognizant Classic | Russell Henley | 32,850 |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | Scottie Scheffler | 4,000,000 |
| THE PLAYERS Championship | Will Zalatoris | 0 |
| Valspar Championship | Sam Burns | 0 |
| Texas Children’s Houston Open | Wyndham Clark | 54,418 |
| Valero Texas Open | C Bezuidenhout | 67,735 |
| 88th Masters Tournament | Rory McIlroy | 175,500 |
| RBC Heritage | Patrick Cantlay | 1,160,000 |
| Zurich Classic | Nick Taylor | 122,375 |
| THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson | Stephan Jaeger | 112,100 |
| Myrtle Beach Classic | Daniel Berger | 20,350 |
| Wells Fargo Championship | Sahith Theegala | 47,000 |
| Total Winnings: | 7,512,670 |
His game has more fun stuff to it. Reach out @A340Spotter on Twitter or A340Spotter@frontier.com for more details and to join.
Recapping Last Week – Wells Fargo Championship
MY CHOICE: Sahith Theegala – T52
Sat T7 after a wonderful 65 in Round 2.
Shot 82 in Round 3.
I mean, shit.
This Week – 106th PGA Championship
MY CHOICE: Brooks Koepka
I’m going to strike while the iron is hot. A winner recently, that’s all I need to see. I had earmarked Justin Thomas for this spot for almost the entire spring, but it is this week or Pinehurst in THIS FORMAT for Koepka. I’m riding the heat.
Others to Consider:
Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, and Justin Thomas.
Look at the winners above. There is absolutely no angle to stray from the chalk this week. I will point out that the recent champions at Muirfield Village, another Jack Nicklaus design in use in two weeks, are Viktor Hovland, Billy Horschel, Patrick Cantlay (2), and Bryson DeChambeau.
LIV guys are in consideration because they will only be at the next two major championships and are essentially freerolls.
A victory for Jordan Spieth would see him join the club of players who have won the career Grand Slam.
Good luck! You’ll need it!
Glass Houses 