Blog#242 PGA Championship

Blog#242 PGA Championship

May 15-18, 2025

Quail Hollow Club Charlotte, NC

Purse 2025 $18.5 same as last year

HISTORY

There are 16 LIV players in the 156 player field same as last year. Koepka won by 2 strokes at Oak Hill last year defeating Scheffler & Hovland who had a DB on 16.

In 2021 Phil Mickelson at age 50 defeated Brooks Kopek by 2 strokes for his 6th major win. Only 11 players have won more. Rory won his 6th at the Masters.

PGA Championship started in 1926 when Rodman Wanamaker formed the PGA of America & put up $2500 in prize money and a 27Lb trophy still used.

FAVORITES I will make no longs-shot projections as this is without a doubt the strongest field of this year. If 1 of these 18 players does not win I will be surprised. I think it will be match play between McIlroy & Scheffler.

1 Scottie Scheffler(4.5/1) If he plays like he did to win the Byron Nelson he wins.

2 Rory McIlroy(4.8/1) Quail Hollow is his course but Scheffler was outstanding.

3 Bryson DeChambreau(10/1) If I were to bet, with these odds he may win.

I don’t believe anyone other than these 3 will win, but with this field who knows.

4 Ludvig Aberg(19/1) with they way he has been playing I don’t think he can win.

5 Xander Schefflee(19/1) He has been playing well but not well enough.

6 Jon Rahm(20/1) If not Bryson it could be him, came on strong at Masters 11th.

7 Collin Morikawa(21/1) Two DBs last week, always has a few bad holes.

8 Justin Thomas(21/1) Another good bet as he has won this tournament twice.

9 Jaquine Niemann(28/1) Another promising young golfer neutralized by LIV.

10 Viktor Hovland(34/1) Where is his head? Finished 54th last week.

11 Jordan Spieth(41/1) To many bogies&DB’s, love him but has to play better.

12 Brooks Koepka(44/1) Poor in majors this year, he will be the 1st to leave LIV.

If 1 of these 12 can’t win then maybe one of the bottom 6.

BOTOM SIX

1 Patrick Cantley(44/1) This guy could surprise but like Morikawa he may fade.

2 Hideki Matsuyame(48/1) Only has 1 good RD, last week 63 RD3 then 73 RD4.

3 Tyrrell Hatton(50/1) Another sleeper, member of LIV & #4 DP tour.

4 Shane Lowry(65/1) Would love to see him play well and make the top 10.

5 Patrick Reed(70/1) #3 at Masters, #4 DP Tour, playing well at LIV, could surprise.

6 Corry Conners(85/1) #8 last year, #7 FedX Cup, #21OWGR, another surprise?

COMMENTARY

On last weeks Myrtle Beach Classic Ryan Fox from New Zealand made a 50’ chip shot on the 1st playoff hole to win. It is his 1st PGA win and gives him a 2 year exemption on the PGA TOUR. Harry Higgs missed a 25’ putt on 18 to win then missed a birdie putt on the same hole in the playoff to tie. McKenzie Hughes had a 1 stroke lead going into 18 but bogied.