PGA Championship 2024: Power rankings for the entire field at Valhalla

Can anyone beat Scottie Scheffler? Another major week is upon us, and word is unclear whether the Schefflers have welcomed their first baby into the world. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have also won in their last starts ahead of the 2024 PGA Championship. There's so much to pack as this star-studded field descends upon Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, the host for the 106th PGA Championship.

Just 30 days ago, Scheffler separated himself from the field at Augusta National and captured his second Masters green jacket. He hasn’t lost since then, and he brings that streak to our season’s second major championship.

It has been 10 years since we visited Valhalla, when McIlroy was victorious—but it's also the site of his last major championship given his 10-year winless drought. Of course, the defending PGA champion is Brooks Koepka, and just like he did last year, he has won in his last start on LIV. Below you will read my rankings of the top 70 players in the field. Below them, the competitors are broken into segments. Included are all of the relevant facts and figures you will need to win your PGA Championship pool, outright or prop bets or PGA Pro club contest!

PrivateValhalla Golf Club Louisville, KY 4.6 102Panelists

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Given a difficult piece of land on which to create Valhalla (half the site was floodplain, with high-tension power poles), Jack Nicklaus drew on his training under Pete Dye and Desmond Muirhead to produce a unique design, with an alternate fairway par 5, a par 4 with an island green and an 18th green shaped like a horseshoe. Over the decades, Nicklaus returned periodically to update its challenges, and the club rebuilt bunkers and replaced its soft bent grass fairways with firmer, faster zoysia in 2022. Valhalla has proven to be a great championship site. It has hosted three thrilling PGA Championships, the latest Rory McIlroy’s win in 2014, and will host a fourth in 2024. Explore our full review

I have designed these rankings to be a fantastic reference tool. Take a moment to peruse the key in case any of the information below is baffling. Then dive right in and bookmark this article link. You are going to need it Monday through Sunday to ensure all of your trifectas in Louisville lead you to collect at the window on Sunday night!

Key:

• Age: Self-explanatory and gives great perspective. Some of these guys are older than you think. Did you know Jordan Spieth is 30?!
• Odds to win: These are the futures odds listed for each player across multiple domestic betting boards.
• OWGR/Data Golf: Let’s face the facts, the OWGR is incomplete. To give us a better top line view of player performance, I also included the Data Golf rankings.
• Player trend: This list is meant to be an immediate reference tool for next week. Quite simply, what direction is a player’s game heading since the Masters. Up is good, down is bad and everyone loves emojis.
• PGA Championship appearances/cuts made: The number of times a player has competed in the tournament along with the number of successful cuts made.
• Best PGA Championship finish: Again, another quick reference tool. In the past 10 years, eight of the PGA champions have finished inside the top 8 prior to winning. (Exceptions: Justin Thomas, 18th and Collin Morikawa as a rookie.) PGA Championship experience counts!
• Notes: A quick summary for each player to pique or deter your interest in his chances to win or play well in the 106th PGA Championship.

More PGA Championship coverage PGA Ranking PGA Championship picks 2024: The 13 best bets to win at Valhalla'The Hole At' Valhalla's thrilling finish: How the PGA venue's 18th hole was built to always produce dramaUntil Valahalla Golf Digest Logo The five holes at Valhalla that will decide who wins the 2024 PGA ChampionshipNos. 126 and beyond

The PGA Championship has such incredible depth and the task of ranking each player is really fun. The "126 and beyond" section is covered in Corebridge Financial Team members, global qualifiers and past champions. I recommend you Google a couple of the names in this group. CFT member PGA Professional Tracy Phillips is 61 years old! Ben Polland just won the PGA Professional National Championship.

Each major has a unique aspect to the field: the Masters and its amateur invitees, the U.S. Open and Open Championship qualifiers, and the PGA Championship has its amazing stories of the PGA of America's members who fulfill their dream by making this field. Will there be another “Block Party?," set into motion by another incredible storyline from a pro? We sure hope so.

Rich Beem, Josh Bevell (CFT), Evan Bowser (CFT), Preston Cole (CFT), Tyler Collet (CFT), John Daly, Matt Dobyns (CFT), Larkin Gross (CFT), Jared Jones (CFT), Takumi Kanaya, Jeff Kellen (CFT), Kazuma Kobori, Ben Kohles, Kyle Mendoza (CFT), Shaun Micheel, Taylor Montgomery, Jesse Mueller (CFT), Zac Oakley (CFT), Adrian Otaegui, Tracy Phillips (CFT), Ben Polland (CFT), Braden Shattuck (CFT), John Somers (CFT), Josh Speight (CFT), Jesper Svensson, Ryan van Velzen, Jimmy Walker, Jeremy Wells (CFT), Tim Widing, Wyatt Worthington II (CFT) and Y.E. Yang.

RELATED: Michael Block on his 'Year of Blockie!'

Nos. 101-125

David Puig played in a number of Asian Tour events and earned victories in Malayasia in February and Singapore in October during off weeks from LIV. The 22-year-old earned a special invitation to the PGA Championship.

How Foo Yeen/R&A

The process of building these rankings can create some very interesting comparisons. Who would have thought three years ago Phil Mickelson would win the PGA Championship at Kiawah at nearly 51 years old? A few slots lower, we have the even more unbelievable saga of Michael Block at Oak Hill. Both he and Brad Marek are the only two Corebridge Financial Team members in the field who have made the cut at a PGA Championship. Three more past champions populate this segment: Jimmy Walker, Jason Dufner and Martin Kaymer. Kaymer has two top-20 finishes in his last two LIV starts.

101.KH Lee, 102. Phil Mickelson,103. Brad Marek (CFT), 104. Lee Hodges, 105. Brice Garnett, 106. Sebastian Soderberg,107. Ben Griffin,108. Alex Smalley, 109. Thirston Lawrence, 110.S.H. Kim, 111. Francesco Molinari, 112. Alexander Björk, 113. Nick Dunlap, 114. Charley Hoffman, 115. Sami Valimaki, 116. Martin Kaymer, 117. Peter Malnati, 118.Lucas Herbert, 119.Jason Dufner, 120.Michael Block (CFT), 121. Luke Donald, 122.Andy Ogletree, 123.Camillo Villegas, 124.David Puig (above), 125. Grayson Murray.

Nos. 71-100

Taylor Pendrith won his first PGA Tour title two weeks ago at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, then backed it up with a T-10 last week at Quail Hollow.

Tim Heitman

Rickie Fowler, Taylor Pendrith (above), Billy Horschel, Emilaino Grillo and Erik Van Rooyen have all won on the PGA Tour since the last PGA Championship, and they all could make some noise. U.S. Open winner Gary Woodland is in the final year of his major exemption. The modern game is amazing, and the next generation of talent keeps pushing everyone. To win this week, you must possess great driving and excellent approach capabilities from long range. A few of these guys will supplant the lower ranked players and make the cut—can you predict who they might be?

71.Mackenzie Hughes, 72.Taylor Pendrith, 73.Adrian Meronk, 74.Adam Hadwin, 75.J.T. Poston, 76. Andrew Putnam, 77.Zac Blair, 78. Keita Nakajima, 79.Maverick McNealy, 80. Emiliano Grillo, 81. Thomas Detry, 82. Billy Horschel, 83.Padraig Harrington, 84. Doug Ghim, 85. Victor Perez, 86. Aaron Rai, 87. Rasmus Højgaard, 88.Beau Hossler, 89.Thorbjorn Olesen, 90.Gary Woodland, 91.Vincent Norrman, 92. Justin Rose, 93. Matt Wallace, 94. Rickie Fowler, 95.Eric Cole, 96. Ryo Hisatsune, 97. Chris Gotterup, 98.Jordan Smith, 99. Alejandro Tosti, 100.Adam Svensson.

More PGA Championship coverage PGA Championship Was Tiger Woods’ mysterious bounce at the 2000 PGA Championship caused by fan interference? Investigating one of golf’s greatest conspiracy theoriesPGA Championship 2024 Can Rory McIlroy find himself again in march toward joining all-time greats?Kentucky controversy At Valhalla Golf Club, new ownership's big changes have drawn the ire and resignations of some longtime members Ranking the top 70 players (with write-ups for the top 50) 70. Andrew Svoboda

Age: 44Odds to win: 500-1.OWGR/Data Golf: N/A, Corebridge Financial TeamPlayer trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: RookieBest PGA Championship finish: N/A

69. Jake Knapp

Brennan Asplen

Age: 29Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 51. Data Golf: 98.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: RookieBest PGA Championship finish: N/A

68. Keith Mitchell

Age: 32Odds to win: 100-1.OWGR: 78. Data Golf: 63.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 3.Best PGA Championship finish: 34th (2022)

67. Brendon Todd

Age: 38Odds to win: 200-1.OWGR: 64. Data Golf: 60.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 2.Best PGA Championship finish: 17th (2020)

66. Tiger Woods

Age: 48Odds to win: 100-1.OWGR: 801. Data Golf: N/A.Player trend: ❓PGA Championship appearances: 22. Cuts made: 17.Best PGA Championship finish: Won (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007)

65. Robert MacIntyre

Age: 27Odds to win: 180-1.OWGR: 84. Data Golf: 223.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 4.Cuts made: 3.Best PGA Championship finish: 49th (2021)

64. Cam Davis

Age: 29Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 62. Data Golf: 78Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 3.Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2023)

63.Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Age: 29Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 54. Data Golf: 24.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 30th (2021)

62. Mark Hubbard

Age: 34Odds to win: 200-1.OWGR: 79. Data Golf: 74.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 2.Best PGA Championship finish: 51st (2020)

61. Kurt Kitayama

Age: 31Odds to win: 100-1.OWGR: 48. Data Golf: 67.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 3.|Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2023)

60. Min Woo Lee

Brennan Asplen

Age: 25Odds to win: 65-1.OWGR: 34. Data Golf: 47.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 18th (2023)

59. Tom Hoge

Age: 34Odds to win: 100-1.OWGR: 60. Data Golf: 39.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 4.Best PGA Championship finish: 9th (2022)

58. Erik van Rooyen

Age: 34Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 66. Data Golf: 71.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 2.Best PGA Championship finish: 8th (2019)

57. Patrick Rodgers

Age: 31Odds to win: 250-1.OWGR: 77. Data Golf: 82.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 29th (2023)

56. Nick Taylor

Age: 36Odds to win: 300-1.OWGR: 26. Data Golf: 77.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 68th (2015)

55. Lucas Glover

Age: 44Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 35. Data Golf: 45.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 12. Cuts made: 6.Best PGA Championship finish: 5th (2009)

54. Denny McCarthy

Age: 31Odds to win: 180-1.OWGR: 31. Data Golf: 19.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 4.Best PGA Championship finish: 29th (2023)

53. Luke List

Age: 39Odds to win: 250-1.OWGR: 67. Data Golf: 83.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 3.Best PGA Championship finish: 6th (2019)

52. Chris Kirk

Age: 38Odds to win: 130-1.OWGR:22. Data Golf: 31.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 9. Cuts made: 5.Best PGA Championship finish: 5th (2022)

51. Nicolai Højgaard

Age: 23Odds to win: 130-1.OWGR: 36. Data Golf: 85.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 50th (2023)

More PGA Championship coverage PGA Championship preview PGA Championship 2024: The most 'PGA' moments in PGA Championship historyVoices PGA Championship 2024: An ode to Valhalla, and the thing it’s always deliveredHometown hero PGA Championship 2024: Justin Thomas is embracing a shot at a major in his home state50. Talor Gooch

Jason Butler

Age: 32Odds to win: 100-1.OWGR: 644. Data Golf: 35.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 2.Best PGA Championship finish: 20th (2022)

An elite amongst strokes gained/social media leaderboards, Talor Gooch’s play over the last two LIV seasons garnered a special exemption into the PGA Championship field, and he warrants serious consideration. Gooch has 15 top-15 finishes in 20 events and three wins.

49. Austin Eckroat

Age: 25Odds to win: 250-1.OWGR: 50. Data Golf: 65.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: RookieBest PGA Championship finish: N/A

A 2024 PGA Tour winner, Austin Eckroat’s ball-striking is built for big courses. He’s ranked sixth in the Valhalla field for strokes gained T2G.

48. Dean Burmester

Age: 34Odds to win: 65-1.OWGR: 130. Data Golf: 38.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 2.Best PGA Championship finish: 54th (2023)

Dean Burmester ranks third on the individual LIV season-long standings. That’s ahead of Brooks, DJ, Talor Gooch and Tyrrell Hatton. He has a win and six top-15 finishes in six starts.

47. Ryan Fox

Age: 37Odds to win: 130-1.OWGR: 61. Data Golf: 143.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 4.Best PGA Championship finish: 23rd (2023)

Ryan Fox’s style of play fits a PGA Championship. He possesses incredible power and a competitive short game. Those are two keys that led to a top 25 at Oak Hill a year ago and a top-40 finish at Augusta National last month.

46. Russell Henley

Age: 35Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 18. Data Golf: 12.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 10. Cuts made: 7.Best PGA Championship finish: 12th (2015)

Russell Henley is ranked 18th in the world and even higher via Data Golf. Henley’s ability to do everything well earned him three top-10s in 10 starts this season. The former University of Georgia Bulldog has 11 top-10s at majors in his career, including 2021 at Torrey Pines (a decent comp course), where he was the 54-hole co-leader before fading on Sunday.

45. Alex Noren

Age: 41Odds to win: 80-1.OWGR: 57. Data Golf: 22.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 11. Cuts made: 7.Best PGA Championship finish: 22nd (2020)

Alex Noren has won 10 times on the DP World Tour. Two weeks ago in Dallas, he finished third for his sixth top-25 result in a row. The Swede can compete in birdie-fests as well as events where he needs to grind out pars, where he can rely on a stellar short game.

44. Patrick Reed

Age: 33Odds to win: 65-1.OWGR: 92. Data Golf: 55.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances:10. Cuts made: 8Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2017)

Last month, Patrick Reed finished 12th at the Masters and continues to play well in majors. Another top-20 result at Oak Hill a year ago was fueled by one of the world’s best short games.

43. Stephan Jaeger

Age: 33Odds to win: 100-1.OWGR: 92. Data Golf: 55.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 1. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 50th (2023)

Stephan Jaeger is the only player to beat Scottie Scheffler in the past two months. Jaeger has picked up nearly 17 yards of distance off the tee in the past two years, making him one of the leading off-the-tee players—and he couples that with a very good short game, which should be a good combination at Valhalla.

42. Adam Schenk

Age: 32Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 45. Data Golf: 41.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish:41st (2022)

Adam Schenk finished 12th at the Masters last month. Schenk struggled earlier in 2024 but is now showing the form that led to a ninth-place finish at the 2023 Tour Championship and consistent play this spring.

41. Matthieu Pavon

Age: 31Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 20. Data Golf: 54.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: RookieBest PGA Championship finish: N/A

Matthieu Pavon is the only player on the PGA Tour ranked top 20 in strokes gained/approach and putting—two key skills for success at Valhalla. The Frenchman’s victory at Torrey Pines proves he has the potential to show some form in majors.

40. Si Woo Kim

Orlando Ramirez

Age: 28Odds to win: 75-1.OWGR: 44. Data Golf: 21.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 8. Cuts made: 2.Best PGA Championship finish: 13th (2020)

Si Woo Kim is an elite ball-striker. Kim has gained positive strokes off the tee in 29 straight measured events. Wet Kentucky rough is going to present a serious challenge to the contenders, but Si Woo hits fairways and has a stellar short game.

39. Tom Kim

Age: 21Odds to win: 65-1.OWGR: 23. Data Golf: 57.Player trend: ↘️PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 0.Best PGA Championship finish: N/A

Tom Kim has tons of talent, but a lack of ball speed makes him feel as if he’s stuck in the mud. Over his past five starts, Kim continues to lose strokes to the field across the board. Valhalla’s length might be too much for Tom as just making the cut has been difficult for him at the PGA Championship.

38. Shane Lowry

Age: 37Odds to win: 45-1.OWGR: 41. Data Golf: 49.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 12. Cuts made: 9.Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2021)

Shane Lowry has five top-25 results in his past six PGAs. Fresh off an Irish team win with Rory McIlroy at the Zurich Classic last month, Lowry’s putter might feel inspired by his countryman’s karaoke. When Shane shines with the flatstick, he contends.

37. Brian Harman

Age: 37Odds to win: 65-1.OWGR: 9. Data Golf: 25.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 9. Cuts made: 5.Best PGA Championship finish: 13th (2017)

Brian Harman faces a narrow path to the top of the leaderboard in domestic major championships where rough is prevalent due to his lack of ball speed and distance. The defending Open champion is world class in other components, but 7,600 yards of soaking wet Valhalla rough will probably put too much of a reliance on his fantastic flatstick.

36. Sam Burns

Age: 27Odds to win: 50-1.OWGR: 27. Data Golf: 27.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 2.Best PGA Championship finish: 20th (2022)

Sam Burns had a strong start to 2024 with four top 10s prior to the Masters. That early season ball-striking has left Burns. A missed cut at the Masters leaves him below his usual major ranking. Maybe his new baby will inspire a great off-the-tee week. He shook off the rust nicely at Quail Hollow.

35. Keegan Bradley

Age: 37Odds to win: 200-1.OWGR: 19. Data Golf: 56.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 13. Cuts made: 11.Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2011)

Keegan Bradley’s game was built for PGA Championships. The Boston bomber won the PGA in his first try and has missed the cut only twice in 13 starts. If you’re looking for a value pick in DFS or prop bets, or a sneaky pool pick, Bradley’s a worthwhile shout.

34. Byeong Hun An

Age: 32Odds to win: 80-1.OWGR: 32. Data Golf: 43.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances:7. Cuts made: 4.Best PGA Championship finish: 22nd (2022)

Ben An was not in last year’s PGA Championship—he was ranked 140th in the OWGR but has ascended quickly in 2024. Fresh off another strong result at Quail Hollow, Ben is a fantastic sleeper pick to contend in Kentucky. His strength is driving and that will certainly help him differentiate. Keep this name to yourself prior to picking in your PGA betting pools.

33. Jason Day

Age: 36Odds to win: 40-1.OWGR: 24. Data Golf: 48.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 14. Cuts made: 11.Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2015)

Jason Day has been a very good PGA Championship player throughout his career. He has six top 10s in this championship and a win (2015). In his past five starts, Day has been gaining over a stroke on the field with his driver. That’s good for two reasons, first that level of off-the-tee play will be an advantage. Two, if Jason continues to play like this, he will make the cut, and we will get to see all four of his outfits this week!

32. Adam Scott

Age: 43Odds to win: 80-1.OWGR: 53. Data Golf: 29.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 22. Cuts made: 17.Best PGA Championship finish: 3rd (2006, 2018)

Adam Scott has played above the tour average in 2024. Going into Valhalla, his driver and putter have been hot. That combination is the key. In Scott’s last five starts he’s gaining nearly two strokes on the field with his flatstick and another two off the tee. Forty is the new thirty for a man who has six career top 10s in this championship.

31. Harris English

Age: 34Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 47. Data Golf: 36.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 7. Cuts made: 5.Best PGA Championship finish: 19th (2020)

Harris English finished top 25 at both The Players and the Masters. He’ll need to enhance his iron game this week to get serious on Sunday, but that driver and putter should surely have him playing the weekend.

30. Viktor Hovland

Ben Jared

Age: 26Odds to win: 30-1.OWGR: 7. Data Golf: 10.Player trend: ↘️PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 4.Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2023)

Viktor Hovland is the season’s biggest mystery. The reigning FedEx Cup champion has worked with more coaches in 2024 than he has top-20 results. A textbook fit for the PGA Championship with his long-iron acumen and accurate driving, Hovland has some serious work to do. Viktor is an amazing talent and will draw attention at these high odds but were he to win I’m not sure the mystery would really be solved.

More PGA Championship coverage Phil Being Phil Phil Mickelson deletes strongly worded tweet warning major championships over lack of LIV playersViewer's Guide How to watch the 2024 PGA ChampionshipLooking ahead A closer look at the interesting lineup of courses slated to host future PGA Championships29. Tyrrell Hatton

Age: 32Odds to win: 55-1.OWGR: 17. Data Golf: 8.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances:9. Cuts made: 7.Best PGA Championship finish: 10th (2016, 2018)

Tyrrell Hatton’s consistent ball-striking makes him an excellent pick at Valhalla. This Kentucky championship will require great approach play, long/accurate driving and opportunistic putting—three skills Hatton continues to display on the LIV circuit. Don’t miss this pick if you’re looking for a solid middle-tier contender.

28. Jordan Spieth

Age: 30Odds to win: 35-1.OWGR: 21. Data Golf: 37.Player trend: ↘️PGA Championship appearances: 11. Cuts made: 9.Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2015)

As always, if you’re backing Jordan Spieth, be prepared for an epic roller-coaster. In his past five cut events, Spieth has missed the weekend four times! The issue is approach play. Even though he started the week off well at Quail Hollow, it was another average showing—I’m not sure this is the year for the Career Grand Slam.

27. Tommy Fleetwood

Age: 33Odds to win: 45-1.OWGR: 11. Data Golf: 13.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 9. Cuts made: 6.Best PGA Championship finish: 5th (2022)

Tommy Fleetwood’s iron game is off. Fleetwood played well at Augusta National, and then he was awful at Harbour Town. Those two weeks are a perfect microcosm for his year. Tommy may take us all by surprise like he did last month down Magnolia Lane, but backing him in good conscience would mean ignoring the obvious issues he has been facing.

26. Taylor Moore

Age: 30Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 55. Data Golf: 58.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 1. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 72nd (2023)

Taylor Moore has successfully navigated every cut in 2024 (11 events). Moore’s success stems from great driving and a very solid short game. In his last five events, he’s gaining an average of four strokes on the field. This is another name most casual golf fans won’t know. This might be your sneakiest option in a PGA Championship pool to gain an edge on the rest of your participants.

25. Akshay Bhatia

Age: 22Odds to win: 100-1.OWGR: 33. Data Golf: 33.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: RookieBest PGA Championship finish: N/A

Akshay Bhatia is one of a handful of players entering the 106th PGA with two wins in the last year. The approach game is absolutely electric. In a world class field, this wonderkid is ranked top 10 SG/tee to green and gaining nearly five shots against the field with his iron game (on average). Bhatia will make birdies, and if scoring counts in your contest, then I suggest you consider the 22-year-old.

24. Corey Conners

Age: 32Odds to win: 65-1.OWGR: 52. Data Golf: 34.Player trend: ↘️PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 3.Best PGA Championship finish: 12th (2023)

Major championships are the best time to earn points for the Presidents Cup team. Corey Conners is looking to lead that International squad this September in his home country. The PGA is the best fit for his game, and I believe we will all see that this week. Ranked third in GIRs, Conners’ consistency is key during weeks where accuracy matters so much.

23. Joaquin Niemann

Age: 25Odds to win: 46-1.OWGR: 91. Data Golf: 7.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 6. Cuts made: 3.Best PGA Championship finish: 23rd (2022)

Joaquin Niemann has a very rocky relationship with the weekend at the PGA Championship. With two LIV wins and six top 10s in seven events he’s earned a good look on your outright card. He’s one a few guys in this middle tier who can win.

22. Sungjae Im

Age: 26Odds to win: 55-1.OWGR: 38. Data Golf: 53.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 2.Best PGA Championship finish: 17th (2021)

Sungjae Im is trending in the right direction. At the RBC Heritage and Wells Fargo, Im looked like the Sungjae of old. That’s important because we need key components to our friendly pools and DFS games. Im has never been a household name, but fans know his ball-striking history. The trend is your friend here as Im impresses us for the third time in a row.

21. Cam Smith

Age: 30Odds to win: 30-1.OWGR: 56. Data Golf: 28.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 8. Cuts made: 7.Best PGA Championship finish: 9th (2023)

Very little about Cam Smith’s game fit going into Oak hill last year. He finished ninth. Never a good choice soon after fishing season, we’ve hit May and Smith’s success is picking up. Cam has finished second in two of his past three LIV starts.

20. Dustin Johnson

Maddie Meyer

Age: 39Odds to win: 35-1.OWGR: 379. Data Golf: 62.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 14. Cuts made: 10.Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2019, 2020)

I always believed Dustin Johnson would win a PGA Championship. The best player in the world for some time, his power and touch just fit perfectly. Years removed from those days, I still think there’s one more major run in him. Of the four annual options, the PGA still makes the most sense. We saw signs last year at Oak Hill and LACC. With a LIV win in Las Vegas a couple months ago, he has my attention.

19. Max Homa

Age: 33Odds to win: 35-1.OWGR: 10. Data Golf: 15.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 5. Cuts made: 3.Best PGA Championship finish: 13th (2022)

I asked Max Homa at The Players why he’s such a good fit at TPC Sawgrass. He replied, “because my misses are small.” Small misses and a positive putter are the keys this week in Kentucky. If Homa get build on the “major” momentum from the Masters, I think Valhalla makes great sense for golf’s greatest tour ambassador.

18. Sahith Theegala

Age: 26Odds to win: 40-1.OWGR: 12. Data Golf: 14.Player trend: ⬆️PGA Championship appearances: 1. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 40th (2023)

In six signature events this season, Sahith Theegala has two runners-up and a sixth place. Theegala finished ninth at The Players and got that first career win under his belt in the fall. Short game has always been the 26-year-old’s strength, but the ball-striking this season is vastly improved, and in turn, so have the results. He’s a new name for major championship contention—one we will hear for years to come.

17. Sepp Straka

Age: 31Odds to win: 150-1.OWGR: 25. Data Golf: 42.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 3.Best PGA Championship finish: 7th (2023)

I don’t even want to write this because it will alter the PGA Championship betting odds. Sepp Straka is a huge sleeper this week. Not because he finished top 20 in three of his past four majors. Not because he’s an elite driver. Not because of his accurate long iron game and fabulous flatstick. The reason I love Sepp is Zoysiagrass. The fairways at Valhalla are Zoysia, and Straka’s record on this particular type of grass are proven.

16. Matt Fitzpatrick

Age: 29Odds to win: 40-1.OWGR: 14. Data Golf: 16.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 8. Cuts made: 4.Best PGA Championship finish: 5th (2022)

Matt Fitzpatrick is gaining an average of four strokes on the field in his past five starts. That won’t scare Scottie Scheffler, but it’s very good. What I like about Fitzpatrick in major championships is how well-rounded he is. If you love backing players like Cantlay and Schauffele, then Matt should catch your eye. Especially when you consider he comes with much more favorable odds.

15. Tony Finau

Age: 34Odds to win: 45-1.OWGR: 28. Data Golf: 30.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 9. Cuts made: 8.Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2020)

Tony Finau is a tee-to-green machine. A scorecard of 7,600 yards gives Tony an edge. Few players in the field can keep up with Finau’s ball speed. As a result, off the tee and approaches over 200 yards favor him. Finau’s issue is the flatstick. If the forecast remains wet, and the course plays super long, take Tony. His added length and accuracy will help bolster a lineup even with his faulty flatstick.

14. Hideki Matsuyama

Age: 32Odds to win: 35-1.OWGR: 15. Data Golf: 17.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 11. Cuts made: 11.Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2016)

Hideki Matsuyama has been given the wagering world a lot of headaches lately. A very late WD at the start of Wells Fargo last week was just another example of the Matsuyama madness. Here’s why: If he’s healthy, Hideki is a real threat to win. Leverage your betting card or PGA pool on team Japan and you might just be saying sayonara.

13. Justin Thomas

Age: 31Odds to win: 30-1.OWGR: 29. Data Golf: 20.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 8. Cuts made: 7.Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2017, 2022)

All pressure is self-induced. Will the PGA Championship in JT’s home state be too much? I don’t believe it will. Thomas’ ball-striking has been solid all season after a sketchy 2023 campaign. JT has five top-15 results in nine starts for 2024. He’s ranked 11th tee to green and ninth on approach. If those analytics don’t impress you, he has also won two of these.

12. Will Zalatoris

Age: 27Odds to win: 35-1.OWGR: 30. Data Golf: 51.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 2.Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2022)

Will Zalatoris has played in two PGA Championships. He finished eighth and runner-up, losing to Thomas in a playoff at Southern Hills. Zalatoris is another whose game matches the PGA Championship character. You must be a great driver, incredible long iron player, and above average scorer. In majors, Zalatoris continues to contend because he knows how to do all three. Will’s lone tour win came at nearby TPC Southwind. Two similar designs, they both have Zoysiagrass fairways. Ball-strikers love that blade, watch out for Will.

11. Cameron Young

Age: 26Odds to win: 40-1.OWGR: 16. Data Golf: 26.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 2. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 3rd (2022)

In his past eight majors, Cameron Young has five top 10s. Few players can boast that kind of elite record. Young uses his incredible power and accuracy to tame the toughest tracks. The New York native also has two top 10s in his past three starts. Valhalla will be a brutal test, and he can separate when the long game really matters. A bad pick for a regular birdiefest, back this slugger in Louisville.

10. Collin Morikawa

Andrew Redington

Age: 27Odds to win: 25-1.OWGR: 13. Data Golf: 9.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 4.Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2020)

I loved seeing Collin Morikawa back in the mix at the Masters. The 2020 PGA champion has the long iron accuracy to contend on any major course. With soft conditions looming, those approach skills will help him differentiate himself. In his four PGA starts, Morikawa has gained an average of 10 strokes on the field. The best player of his age group on these tests is back in the conversation.

9. Patrick Cantlay

Age: 32Odds to win: 31-1.OWGR: 8. Data Golf: 6.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 7. Cuts made: 6.Best PGA Championship finish: 3rd (2019)

A major comparison course for Valhalla is Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village Golf Club. Patrick Cantlay is an annual contender at the Memorial. Architects have traits, and Jack’s course characteristics can be seen clearly in both. Cantlay has been very average by his standards this season. Patrick must make a push here. His major resume needs a couple of wins and what better place to break through than a course your completely comfortable on.

8. Bryson DeChambeau

Age: 30Odds to win: 31-1.OWGR: 117. Data Golf: 18.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 6. Cuts made: 4.Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2020, 2023)

Very few courses actually fit Bryson DeChambeau. In many ways, that must be very frustrating. Valhalla is a DeChambeau-style design. Soft conditions mean it will fit him even more. The longest player in the game will attack this course like Winged Foot in 2020 where he won the U.S. Open. The beauty of Bryson will also be his gameplan and touch. An excellent putter can allow him to score in ways others just cannot. That advantage is why he led at Augusta and even more why a PGA Championship will be his next major.

7. Wyndham Clark

Age: 30Odds to win: 25-1.OWGR: 3. Data Golf: 11.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 3. Cuts made: 1.Best PGA Championship finish: 75th (2021)

Wyndham Clark’s return to Wells Fargo could have been better. Clark also missed the cut at the Masters after an unbelievable start to the season. Fact is, Wyndham is part of the outright winner conversation because of his ability complement raw power with world class touch. On the PGA Tour, he has been a top three player with Schauffele and Scheffler. Can Clark contend again in a big spot? I say yes. Honestly, I really don’t even feel like we have witnessed Wyndham’s full potential. If he goes there this week, he’s one a few who can keep pace with Scottie.

6. Ludvig Åberg

Age:24Odds to win: 16-1.OWGR: 6.Data Golf: 3.Player trend: 🔥PGA Championship appearances: Rookie.Best PGA Championship finish: N/A

The best player to have never played in a major championship rolled up to Magnolia Lane and finished runner-up. I’m not concerned about Ludvig Åberg’s knee and the WD last week at Wells Fargo. This is a rookie! Last year in college, he would have played seven or eight events a semester. He’s played 24 tournaments and a Ryder Cup since leaving school less than a year ago. If anything, this week of rest shows he understands what is most important. Take a break before the big week. Åberg has every skill needed for a deep run this weekend and we all know it.

5. Xander Schauffele

Andrew Redington

Age: 30Odds to win: 16-1.OWGR: 4. Data Golf: 2.Player trend: ⬆️PGA Championship appearances: 7. Cuts made: 5.Best PGA Championship finish: 10th (2020)

What does Schauffele’s disappointing Sunday at Quail Hollow mean for Quail Hollow? Well, for the second time in 2024, he let a 54-hole lead slip away. Xander backers will say that Rory just outplayed him, but even par on a Sunday in a signature event won’t ever get the job done. Schauffele is one of the most well-rounded players in the field. He will be part of the Sunday conversation, but unfortunately just like last week, it’s likely he’ll record his ninth top-10 finish of 2024 but stay winless since July 2022.

4. Jon Rahm

Age: 29Odds to win: 14-1.OWGR: 5. Data Golf: 5.Player trend: ➡️PGA Championship appearances: 7. Cuts made: 6.Best PGA Championship finish: 4th (2018

Imagine how angry Jon Rahm must’ve been after his performance at the Masters. We were fuming after making him No. 1 in these rankings and backing him, but we know the Spaniard was running way hotter. I believe Rahm is still a member of the big three at the top. Throughout his career, he has dominated on courses like Valhalla. Torrey Pines, Muirfield Village, Riviera and Augusta National are great examples. There’s no doubt Rahm’s adjustment to life on LIV is a work in progress, but rest assured it is major season and there won’t be any DJs dropping beats at Valhalla.

3. Rory McIlroy

Age: 35Odds to win: 12-1.OWGR: 2. Data Golf: 4.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 15. Cuts made: 14.Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2012, 2014)

There’s no doubting McIlroy is a generational talent who over his entire career has gained over six strokes on average against the field. He’s also riding in hot off the commanding win at Quail Hollow, a strong comp course with the elite off-the-tee and long-iron game required, and a team win in New Orleans. McIlroy is habitually at the top of major leaderboards, no matter the venue, with has seven top 10s in his last nine. When it comes to major No. 5 on Rory’s resume, don’t stop believin’.

2. Brooks Koepka

Age: 34Odds to win: 16-1.OWGR: 37. Data Golf: 50.Player trend: ↗️PGA Championship appearances: 11. Cuts made: 11.Best PGA Championship finish: Won (2018, 2019, 2023)

Brooks Koepka has successfully defended two major championships. Koepka just won LIV Singapore two weeks ago. Brooks has six top 10s and three wins in his last nine PGA Championships. Oak Hill is an excellent comp course for Valhalla. Another interesting comp that really catches my attention is the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club. Koepka captured that title on the same exact agronomy as we will see this week in Kentucky. He’s confident, he will be comfortable, and quite honestly can beat Scottie Scheffler.

1. Scottie Scheffler

Age: 27Odds to win: +450OWGR: 1. Data Golf: 1/1Player trend: 🔥🔥PGA Championship appearances: 4. Cuts made: 3.Best PGA Championship finish: 2nd (2023)

In his past five starts, Scottie Scheffler is gaining an average of 15 strokes against the field! Not since the days of Tiger Woods have we seen such ball-striking supremacy. Unless there’s a conflict due to the birth of baby Scheffler, there’s no reason why Scottie would not win. Scheffler beat one player by four and the rest of the field by seven last month at a very difficult Masters. He’s gaining 15 strokes on everyone per tournament. If there’s one pick to win the 106th PGA Championship it has to be the undisputed number one player in the world.

More PGA Championship coverage Instruction What Rory McIlroy said about his golf swing in 2014—and what it reveals about 20242024 season Golf Digest Logo Our new ranking of every PGA Tour course—from best to worstMajors PGA Championship 2024: Here's the full field competing at Valhalla

Keith Stewartis a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor and content partner with Golf Digest and founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the LPGA and PGA TOUR. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter here and raise your golf betting acumen. Keith's winning content can also be found on Sports Grid, Bleacher Report and The Sporting News. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_.