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The men’s major season has already begun with another interesting chapter, with Rory McIlroy’s win at Augusta adding to the history books.
With two green jackets hanging in Scotty Scheffler’s locker, McIlroy’s back-to-back wins saw the world number one and world number two occupy the top two spots on the leaderboard.
Five of the top six in the world rankings that week came from the top 10 and I believe we are in for another exciting major championship, with many players heading to Pennsylvania in form.
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Highlights from the final round of The Masters, where McIlroy successfully held on to defend his title
The PGA Championship returns to Aronimink Golf Course, where Gary Player won the last time it was held there nearly 64 years ago. This fine course was carved and built by a legendary Scotsman, Donald Ross, and celebrated its centenary in two years.
Many of you have seen it Sky Sports Aronimink will be remembered for years for Justin Rose’s victory at the AT&T National in 2010 and Keegan Bradley’s overtime victory over Rose in the 2018 BMW Championship.
Aronimink traditionally has generous fairways, so it will be interesting to see how the PGA of America sets up the course this week. The venue has produced low scores in the past, with Tiger Woods and McIlroy both recording 62s.
Can McIlroy claim back-to-back major titles and lift the Wanamaker Trophy for a third time?
Woods completed the back nine here in 29 in 2018, and McIlroy’s 62 includes two bogeys. I suspect and hope they narrow the fairways a bit, because I think we all want to reward accuracy – as well as distance.
Like many courses in this era, it has undergone changes. Ron Pritchard, a noted Philadelphia architect, was hired in 2003 to ‘recapture’ Ross’s classic design that had declined over time.
In 2017, the excellent Gil Hans completed further renovations in time for the BMW Championship a year later. Now that these enhancements have been bedded in, this grand venue is ready for another big week.
Big week ahead in Pennsylvania?
The top five in the world rankings are all enjoying good seasons, each heading into the second major with at least one win in the first four months of the calendar year.
Scheffler continues to produce with remarkable consistency. McIlroy has his sixth major and should be rested and fresh before what would be a third PGA Championship title.
Cameron Young has come of age since last summer and the resurgence of Matt Fitzpatrick has been thrilling. He was just outside the top 80 in the world a year ago, was 22nd at the start of the year and now sits nicely in the top five in the world.
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Highlights from the final day at The Players, where Cameron Young shot a four-under-par 68 to win at TPC Sawgrass
Right behind him is Rose, who will enjoy returning to a course where he is clearly comfortable and which suits his eyes. I think it’s fair to say that one of these top five will be holding the Wanamaker Trophy aloft on Sunday. However, we know predictions are sometimes fools!
Of note, Jordan Spieth’s form has improved recently and a win could see him become the seventh member of the Grand Slam club, so there is much to look forward to. You will all have your likes and dislikes and there will be some good values at the bottom of the list.
Jordan Spieth won the Masters and US Open in 2015, then claimed The Open in 2017.
After his – in many ways – disappointing Masters, it was a course that suited Robert McIntyre. I’m sure that after his atrocity at Augusta, McIntyre will focus on professional performances to re-enter the top 10 and open his major account.
Tyrrell Hatton keeps knocking on the main door and many think one will open soon. His accuracy in approach work is up there with the game’s best, and that department can be key to success if the fairways are generous.
Could Tyrrell Hatton be the next first-time major champion?
Broken men get back together to play golf
The headlines over the past few weeks have been about LIV Golf and the announcement of the premature end of financial support from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. I don’t believe this comes as a shock, as LIV has arguably not progressed since its inception nearly four years ago.
It has been widely reported that it has invested at least $5 billion and is losing hundreds of millions of dollars every month. For $400 million Newcastle United bought who, despite an average season, have enjoyed considerable success since the Saudi takeover.
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Sky Sports reporter Jamie Weir explains what’s next for LIV golfers after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed it will end its funding at the end of the 2026 season.
With Newcastle participating in the Champions League and winning their first trophy in more than half a century, the alliance generated positivity and results on the field and financially.
The Saudis have huge reserves of money, but they are also traders. Financially, LIV is struggling and the profit prospects going forward are not encouraging. What happens to their players now is in the hands of other tours.
Those who opted for LIV Golf on their respective tours were given strict and clear bans. Brooks Koepka received an olive branch from the PGA Tour, which he gladly accepted.
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Eamon Lynch told Golf Today on Golf Channel that it could be very difficult for Jon Rahm or Bryson DeChambeau to return to the PGA Tour or DP World Tour.
A month ago, Jon Rahm declined a request to continue being a member of the DP World Tour and therefore eligible to participate in the Ryder Cup. Following LIV’s announcement, he immediately rejoined after paying his fine for a reported $400m signing fee.
It is true that almost every golf fan, viewer and spectator wants to see the best players play against each other more often. This may be the outcome in the coming months, but the discussion must be fair to those who stayed and supported their tour.
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With LIV Golf’s future in doubt, Paul McGinley believes the PGA Tour needs to reward players who have been loyal to them.
It’s hard to believe that, let’s say, at The Players next year, McIlroy and Rahm are tied for the lead after 54 holes. One has amassed a considerable amount of money through exceptional play while supporting his tour, the other has $400m – plus winnings – to join. I’m not sure that would be entirely fair.
Negotiations will undoubtedly continue for months, with many meetings – some for and some against. Let’s hope the fractures in the game begin to heal and the powers that be find an amicable solution.
In the meantime, let’s enjoy the next major and the two that follow the PGA Championship – the exhilarating, rugged, US Open at Shinnecock Hills and the Open at Royal Birkdale, one of the world’s greatest venues.
Who will win the PGA Championship? Watch live all week on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening round begins on Thursday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or Flow without any contract.
