It’s no surprise that DeChambeau leads the PGA Tour in driving distance, and length off the tee is going to be a must at the Ocean Course.
It was his eighth top-10 in 15 career starts in majors. He came painfully close - again - at the Masters in April, finishing in a tie for third after his Sunday tee shot on the par-3 16th went into the water. If it’s not Rahm, Schauffele is arguably the best player in the world without a victory in a major. He pulled out of last week’s start at the AT&T Byron Nelson because of discomfort in his knee and hasn’t been himself since winning a green jacket in November. Other than winning the Masters, the South Carolina native would probably like nothing more than to win a major in his home state. He also finished tied for third at the Masters. However, he’ll have to putt better than he has lately.Īfter a four-year struggle, Spieth has arguably been the best story on tour this calendar year, ending his winless drought at the Valero Texas Open in April after going 1,351 days between victories. The 2017 PGA Championship winner loves the tough decisions that come with playing a Pete Dye-designed course, as evidenced by his March victory at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. He has to win his first major championship soon, right? Still, Rahm finished tied for fifth, his sixth top-10 in his past 12 majors. His wife gave birth to the couple’s first child a few days before Masters week. The Spanish player won’t be rushing to this major from the delivery room, as he did at the Masters in April. When he set the PGA Championship record with an 8-shot victory at Kiawah Island in 2012, he was 11 under over the final two rounds. They have the game, guts and nerves to handle four pressure-packed rounds on what might be a very tricky golf course if the weather doesn’t cooperate.įinally, he ended his 18-month drought without a victory at Quail Hollow two weeks ago. Here’s a look at the 156 players in the field, including the guys who can win, the sleepers, the club professionals and everyone in between: Tier I: Guys who can win Two of the world’s best players, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, limp into the second major of the season with nagging knee injuries. After winning the Wells Fargo Championship two weeks ago, McIlroy is once again among the favorites.Īnother big storyline: Jordan Spieth, who has resurrected his career this season after a long slump, will try to become just the sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam. Rory McIlroy won the previous PGA Championship played there, in 2012, running away with an 8-shot victory, the widest margin in the event’s history.