The PGA Championship will be held at Valhalla this year. It's scheduled for May 16-19th, and there is already a lot of talk about the second major of the year and who will grab it.
Although Scottie Scheffler is the golfer with the best betting odds to win, we know there is quite a bit more to look at with the course, conditions, and past performances to really determine who the top contenders are.
Let's take a look at some past PGA winners and some course details and get you equipped with the knowledge you need for the 2024 PGA Championship. For a deeper look at the competition, take a look at our betting guide for the PGA Championship 2024.
Valhalla Golf Course
If you are wondering why Valhalla may sound familiar, it was the site of the 2008 Ryder Cup Championship. In addition, it held the PGA Championship in 1996, 2000, and 2014.
Valhalla is a Jack Nicklaus design known for its challenging layout. The course stretches across 500 acres in Louisville, Kentucky. The course takes advantage of the natural landscape as there are streams that meander through the course and can get golfers into trouble.
Every bunker at Valhalla is strategically placed, making shot selection a bit difficult for some holes. The second hole is a long par 4 with water hazards and bunkers. It's followed by a par three with a water hazard to the right side of the green.
By the time players get to hole 7, they face a real risk-reward situation with a par 5 that has a split fairway and a chance to approach the green over water. Undoubtedly, the grounds crew will have the course firm, which will make it tricky to keep those approach shots on the green.
When Tiger beat Bob May in a playoff in 2000, he was 18 under par for the tournament.
Past PGA Championship Winners
The PGA Championship is not held at the same course every year. Last year, the championship was at Oak Hill Country Club, and it was won by Brooks Koepka. Brooks also had one in 2019.
In 2020, Collin Morikawa won at TPC Harding Park, Phill Mickelson won in 2021 at Kiawah, and in 2022, Justin Thomas won at Southern Hills Country Club.
These golfers will certainly be a few to keep an eye on at the PGA Championship.
PGA Championship Format and Playoff
The PGA Championship is a four-round tournament with a cut after the first two rounds. The top 70 golfers will make it into the weekend.
For the first two rounds, some unfamiliar names will be in the field. Some PGA Professionals will have qualified through the PGA Professional National Championship.
If there is a tie after 72 holes, there will be a three-hole aggregate playoff. Golfers will head back out and play 16, 17, and 18 to determine the final winner.
Golfers To Keep An Eye On At The 2024 PGA Championship
Now that you have a general idea as to the format and details of the 2024 PGA Championship let's take a deeper look at some of the top contenders. There is no doubt Scottie Scheffler has shown consistent performance in the last few years.
With a win at the Masters he's really becoming one of the best golfers the game has seen. Some say he may be distracted with his wife about to have a baby, but he will without a doubt be a contender.
Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, and Jon Rahm are also top choices for the PGA Championship.
However, you can't rule out Brooks Koepka. When you win ⅖ PGA Championships, you deserve some respect when it comes to odds and placement in a tournament like this. It's a major championship, so looking at golfers who have played well in 2024 may not be enough.
It's smart to also consider who knows how to close. Who can hold it together when coming down the stretch and make a birdie when the pressure is on?
Final Thoughts On The 2024 PGA Championship
Now the time to get your best in for the 2024 PGA Championship. It's going to be an exciting event and it will shape the way the rest of the season plays out.
Major golf betting events are the most exciting of the year and the best way to feel as though you are a part of the event. Stay up to date with the latest odds and information about the PGA Championship by visiting 888Sport.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
