Valhalla Golf Club, home to the 106th PGA Championship, stands at the crossroads of golf's giants: Jack Nicklaus designed it, and Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy triumphed there recently. 

This marks Valhalla's fourth PGA Championship, but this time, the course has undergone significant changes to make it tougher and faster.

 

 

 

PGA Championship 2024 Tournament

Scottie Scheffler dominates the scene, winning four of his last five tournaments, including the Masters and PLAYERS Championship. Yet, Rory McIlroy, fresh from a Wells Fargo win, faces personal struggles with his impending divorce, clouding his mindset for the championship.

Defending champ Brooks Koepka aims for his fourth PGA Championship and sixth major, a feat that could cement his legacy. Jon Rahm, opting for LIV Golf's cash, seeks to stay relevant amid Scheffler's reign. Meanwhile, Ludvig Aberg, the Swedish sensation, emerges as Scheffler's potential challenger after his impressive Masters debut.

As anticipation builds, golf fans prepare for a clash of titans, where legacies hang in the balance with each swing. Valhalla promises a spectacle, where the sport's future intertwines with its storied past on the lush greens of competition.

 

 

 

Valhalla Golf Club: Course Breakdown

Valhalla Golf Club distinguishes itself among prestigious venues as a relatively youthful course, conceived by Nicklaus less than four decades ago in 1986. Its allure captivated the PGA of America to such an extent that they acquired the club, albeit ownership has shifted hands since. 

Just a decade post-inauguration, Valhalla proudly hosted its maiden PGA event, subsequently welcoming tournaments in 2000, 2014, and now anticipates another imminent one. This forthcoming occasion marks its fourth PGA hosting, equating its standing with Oak Hill for the second-highest count of PGA tournaments held, trailing only Southern Hills with five. Moreover, Valhalla provided the backdrop for the United States' triumphant 2008 Ryder Cup conquest.

The course's layout presents a formidable challenge, featuring three par-5s, none surpassing 600 yards, alongside demanding par-4s, seven extending beyond 450-500 yards. The par-3s pose no lesser challenge, with three exceeding 200 yards, one dauntingly stretching to 254. Characterized by small bentgrass greens averaging merely 5,000 square feet, they boast lightning-fast speeds of 13 on the Stimpmeter, contributing to Valhalla's distinction as the PGA Tour's third-longest course, offering competitors a unique test of skill.

Augmenting the challenge are thick roughs and water hazards gracing seven holes, particularly prominent in the climactic stretch encompassing holes 15, 17, and the par-5 18th. Unlike Oak Hill, Valhalla's forgiving fairways are adorned with trees, exuding a quintessential "parkland" ambiance.

The 2000 PGA Championship etched itself into memory with the iconic duel between Woods and the then relatively obscure Bob May, culminating in Woods' triumph. In 2014, a youthful McIlroy dominated proceedings, clinching his fourth major in as many years. Presently, McIlroy sets his sights on a fifth major title. 

Noteworthy is the presence of 27 players from the 2014 PGA in this year's field, wherein McIlroy secured victory amidst encroaching darkness, edging out Mickelson by a solitary stroke. Notably, the course has undergone modifications, now spanning 7,609 yards, with the back nine a mere stone's throw from 4,000 yards.

 

 

 

2024 PGA Championship Field 

Top golfers are gearing up for the PGA Championship at Valhalla, with some exciting storylines in the mix. Scottie Scheffler is back after a break for the birth of his first child, having been on fire lately with wins at the Masters and RBC Heritage. Rory McIlroy is riding high on two recent wins and is looking to end his long dry spell in major tournaments, especially after his last PGA Championship victory at Valhalla in 2014.

Jordan Spieth is taking another shot at the career Grand Slam, hoping his luck turns around this time. Tiger Woods is back in action after the Masters and is aiming to add another PGA Championship win to his collection. Xander Schauffele leads a pack of hopefuls eager to clinch their first major title, including Patrick Cantlay, Will Zalatoris, Tony Finau, and Max Homa.

Ludvig Åberg, fresh from a strong showing at the Masters, is making his PGA Championship debut, hoping lightning strikes twice. Justin Thomas is playing on home turf this time, while Chris Gotterup is stepping onto the big stage after his win at the Myrtle Beach Classic. And let's not forget Brooks Koepka, the defending champion, ready to defend his title with gusto.

 

 

 

PGA Stats To Know: 2024 PGA Championship

Top SG: Off-The-Tee Targets

  • Scottie Scheffler - 1st on Tour
  • Kevin Yu - 3rd on Tour
  • Rory McIlory - 4th on Tour
  • Keith Mitchell - 6th on Tour
  • Alejandro Tosti - 7th on Tour

Top SG: Approach Targets

  • Scottie Scheffler - 1st on Tour
  • Tom Hoge - 2nd on Tour
  • Corey Conners - 3rd on Tour
  • Shane Lowry - 5th on Tour
  • Lucas Glover - 6th on Tour

Top SG: Putting Targets

  • Denny McCarthy - 3rd on Tour
  • Alexander Bjork - 5th on Tour
  • Taylor Pendrith - 6th on Tour
  • Christiaan Bezuidenhout - 7th on Tour
  • Peter Malnati - 8th on Tour

Best Course History

  • Brooks Koepka - 3 Wins, 3 Top 5s & 2 Top 15s (11 of 11 Cuts)
  • Rory McIlory - 2 Wins, 6 Top 10s (14 of last 15 Cuts)
  • Collin Morikawa - 1 Win & Top 10 (4 of 4 Cuts)
  • Jason Day - 1 Win & 4 Top 10s (10 of last 11 Cuts)
  • Scottie Scheffler - 3 Top 10s (3 of 4 Cuts)

My Best Bets (23-40 Overall, -3.95 Units)

  • Brooks Koepka: Top 5 (+350)
  • Bryson DeChambeau: Top 10 (+260)
  • Cameron Young: Top 20 (+200)
  • Si Woo Kim: Top 20 (+230)
  • Keith Mitchell: Top 30 (+200)
  • Cam Davis: Top 30 (+260)

One & Done Play

  • Rory McIlory

 

 

 

Golf DFS Picks: PGA Championship 2024

Top-Price DFS PGA Championship Picks

Rory McIlory ($12,000)

McIlroy seems on the brink of a comeback in the golfing realm. Despite his major drought since 2014, where he triumphed at both the Open Championship and the PGA Championship at Valhalla, the Irish golfer is reasserting his presence. His recent victories at the Zurich Classic and the Wells Fargo in Charlotte, coupled with his dominance in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee over the past three months, reflect his current form. 

Notably, McIlroy's exceptional putting performance, gaining over 4.0 strokes for the week, underscores his readiness for the upcoming PGA Championship. While Quail Hollow holds sentimental value for McIlroy, his past success at Valhalla and the striking similarities between the two courses suggest he's primed to challenge Scheffler for the title.

Brooks Koepka ($10,800)

When it comes to the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, Brooks Koepka is basically a golfing rockstar. Out of 21 times he's teed off in those tournaments, he's landed in the top five a whopping 11 times and snagged the trophy five times. That's like hitting the jackpot nearly every time he plays. 

Surprisingly, folks didn't give him much thought at the Masters, but he bounced back with a win at LIV Singapore. Now, with Valhalla on the horizon—a course that's a lot like ones where he's previously dominated like Oak Hill, Bethpage Black, and Bellerive—I'm betting Koepka is going to keep up his winning streak. 

He's one of the few players I'd put money on to outplay Scheffler. And let's not forget, nabbing a sixth major title would be a huge deal for Koepka, and you better believe he's gunning for it.

Bryson Dechambeau ($9,600)

Bryson DeChambeau's got a bit of a stumbling block: he's fully aware he's one sharp cookie, and he's dead set on proving it every time he steps onto the course. Trouble is, this often ends up tripping him up. We all kinda wish he'd ease off a bit and just let his natural talent shine through. 

With Valhalla's challenging par 71 layout, though, DeChambeau's in his element. He's the driving force behind the LIV Golf league, consistently belting out long shots all season. And his iron game? Pretty darn solid, sitting pretty in ninth place for hitting greens. Despite the occasional setback, he's notched up four top-12 finishes in seven starts on the LIV circuit, with a sweet sixth place at the Masters under his belt. 

Now, he's gearing up for a major where he's historically performed well, with two top-5 finishes to his name, including last year's.

 

 

 

Mid-Price DFS PGA Championship Picks

Cameron Young ($9,000)

When you look at the numbers, Cameron Young seems like the golfer to watch this season, even without a win. He's been on fire, making the cut in 16 straight tournaments and landing six top-15 finishes along the way. 

The guy's a major player, literally! Just check out his track record: he's been in the mix at major championships, scoring a third-place finish at the 2022 PGA Championship and landing in the top 10 in five out of his last eight major starts. He's got the skills for the big leagues, especially with his long iron play and driving game. And get this – in all eight majors, he's been outdriving the competition. Sounds like he's set to tear it up at Valhalla!

Tyrrell Hatton ($8,200)

Since joining LIV, Hatton's been on fire, hitting the top 25 in all seven of his starts this season. He's been killing it lately, scoring a sweet T5 at the LIV Golf Singapore event and a solid T9 at the Masters. That T9 at Augusta National was his best ever there, and he's been on a roll, making it to T34 or better in the last six major championships. And get this: only two guys in this field cracked the top 20 in both the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive and the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill – Brooks Koepka and our guy, Tyrrell Hatton. 

Plus, the courses at those PGA events share some similarities with Valhalla, and Hatton's got a killer record on long, tough courses with thick rough. With his skills as one of the top approach players on the LIV circuit, he's a total steal.

Si Woo Kim ($7,700)

Wow, can you believe this price tag? It's nuts! Kim's gotta be worth way more than $8,000, but hey, we'll totally take advantage of that this week. I mean, look at him! The guy's 28 and hasn't missed a single cut in 13 starts this season. And get this, 11 of those finishes were in the top 30. Plus, he's been killing it off the tee since the Open Championship last July. In his last two tournaments, he's gained more than 11 strokes combined! And don't even get me started on his short game - he's been gaining strokes around the green like it's nobody's business for seven straight tournaments. 

Kim's practically the no-putt king this week. Even when he lost over 5 strokes at the Wells Fargo Championship, he still snagged a T16 finish. Plus, he's ranking in the top 25 for SG: Tee-To-Green, SG: Off-The-Tee, and SG: Approach this season. Honestly, he's playing some of the best golf of his life. I wouldn't be surprised if he cracks the top 20 at Valhalla.

 

 

 

Value-Price DFS PGA Championship Picks

Keith Mitchell ($6,600)

Are you familiar with Keith Mitchell? He's that PGA Tour dude who crushes it off the tee. But here's the kicker, he's not just a one-trick pony; he's also got a serious game with long irons. Last couple of times he was measured, he bagged over 10 strokes combined off the tee. And get this, he's been on a hot streak with his approach play, gaining strokes in eight straight measured events. With his all-around skills, he's the type you can picture snagging a win or putting up a solid fight in PGA Championships. 

Plus, he's sitting pretty in the rankings, like top 20 in driving distance, recent off-the-tee play, recent approach play, and proximity from 200-plus yards, among others in his league. And considering he's priced in the $6,000 range, not many can match his ball-striking chops. I've got a hunch we're about to see him hit the big time; after all, he's only 32.

Denny McCarthy ($6,300)

Denny's the standout in my playbook when it comes to playing off the tee—he's not all about bombing it down the fairway, but he's got some serious game around the greens to make up for it. Case in point: he rocked a solid tie for 6th at the Quail Hollow, even though it's a monster of a course. 

And let me tell you, he's really hitting his stride lately. With his putting skills, you'd think he'd be a force to reckon with at the Texas Open, and sure enough, he snagged second place, right behind Akshay Bhatia. And talk about consistency! Denny made the cut at all four PGA Championships he's played in, with his best finish being 29th last year. And wouldn't you know it, that's exactly where he's sitting in the world rankings now—his personal best at 29th.

Austin Eckroat ($5,700)

No surprises here—Eckroat gonna be the hot pick in the $5K range this weekend. But hey, that won't throw me off. With five other chances to mix things up, I'm game. What makes Eckroat a standout at this price? Well, he's pretty darn accurate off the tee, ranking 17th, and he's got some decent distance too. That's a sweet combo for Valhalla. Plus, he's holding his own in the top 40 for SG: Off-the-Tee, Approach, and Tee-to-Green on Tour. 

But here's the kicker—he's not the smoothest putter, and his recent form isn't exactly top-notch, especially after missing the cut at the Masters last month. Still, let's not forget his solid tie for 10th place at last year's U.S. Open.

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