After a turbulent few months in men's golf, it's time for the second Major of the season. The PGA Championship which Phil Mickelson won't be defending.
It's time for the second men's Major of the year as we head to New York State and Oak Hill for the 2023 PGA Championship.
This year's Championship is coming in a little cooler, which I am sure the PGA of America will be happy about. Let the golf do the talking rather than last year when LIV Golf were throwing their media weight around and defending champion Phil Mickelson was nowhere to be seen.
Maybe it's just me but in a way, I feel we have two defending Champions this year as Mickelson didn't take the opportunity in 2022. Just last month at The Masters, Mickelson proved he still has what it takes to really make an impact on the leaderboard on Major Sunday.
We were spoilt with the final round in 2021 and last year's seemed a little lacking in comparison, even though we ended up with a play-off between Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris.
I don't mean to downplay Thomas' win after coming from seven shots behind on the final day. It is clear to see by watching the first episode of Full Swing on Netflix, how much the 2022 PGA Championship win meant to him.
Mickelson comes into the Championship after finishing in tied 45th at LIV Golf Tulsa. Not the greatest advert for a defending Champion but he was written off before The Masters. Thomas tied 14th two weeks ago at the Wells Fargo and has only played two tournaments since he failed to make the cut at The Masters. Form may be against them but this is a Major week.
Ones to watch this week
The field of 156 golfers will take to the fairways of Oak Hill in Rochester, New York State on Thursday. So, if we don't see a title defence, who else may be contending on Sunday?
Leading the line-up is world number one Jon Rahm, 2023 Masters Champion, who is looking to win his second Major of the year. Like Thomas, Rahm has played twice since The Masters but comes in after a tied second finish in Mexico at the end of April. Could this be his fifth win of the season?
Scottie Scheffler was world number one at the PGA Championship last year and also the holder of the green jacket. When it comes to consistency, there aren't many players that could match him. He also has one of the coolest demeanours on tour. If form is anything to go by, you wouldn't want to bet against him contending:
After coming so close at The Masters and being a two-time (2018, 2019) PGA Champion, Brooks Koepka has to be a favourite this week. He thrives under Major conditions which is shown by the fact that he has featured in the top 10 in 16 of the last 30 Majors. He didn't quite have it on Masters Sunday but he will definitely want to go one step further.
Could Jason Day win two weeks in a row? Will Rory McIlroy gain a third Wanamaker trophy? Your guess is as good as ours but one thing's for sure, Tiger won't be distracting our attention this year.
Nor will Will Zalatoris be in the mix again as he had back surgery which has ruled him out for the season after withdrawing from The Masters. Other big names not at Oak Hill include Serigo Garcia, John Daly, Martin Kaymer, Vijay Singh, Jason Dufner and Davis Love III - big names but not necessarily big contenders.
The Course - Oak Hill Country Club
Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York State, is hosting its fourth PGA Championship. This year’s Championship will be the 14th PGA Championship contested in New York, the most of any state.
- East Course 7394 yards – par 70, 7.
- Previous PGA Championship winners at Oak Hill - 1980 Jack Nicklaus, 2003 Shaun Micheel and 2013 Jason Dufner.
- Designed by Donald Ross in the 1920s, George and Tom Fazio modernised the course in the 1970s and further restoration work took place by Andrew Green of A. H. Green Design which was completed in 2019.
- There are only two par fives in use for this PGA Championship, both measuring over 600 yards.
Fun fact: Oak Hill is the only club to have played host to the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, U.S. Amateur, Senior U.S. Open and Senior PGA Championship.
Prize money
The final purse is yet to be announced but last year was $15 million, with Thomas winning $2.7 million. Plus the winner gets their hands on the enormous Wanamaker trophy.
PGA Championship - How to watch: TV Times
Sky Sports Golf (all BST)
Thursday May 18 – 1pm-12am
Friday May 19 – 1pm-12am
Saturday May 20 – 2pm-12am
Sunday May 21 – 2pm-12am
ESPN+, ESPN and CBS (all EST)
Thursday - ESPN+ 7am-1pm, ESPN 1pm-7pm
Friday - ESPN+ 7am-1pm, ESPN 1pm-7pm
Saturday - ESPN+ 8am-10am, ESPN 10am-1pm and CBS 1-7pm
Sunday - ESPN+ 8am-10am, ESPN 10am-1pm and CBS 1-7pm
View the PGA Championship live leaderboard here.