For the past decade, the PGA Championship has been dominated by American golfers, and who can stop that momentum from continuing this week at Aronimink Golf Club?
The past 10 Wanamaker Trophy winners have all come from the United States, with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler returning as the defending champion following his five-stroke victory at Quail Hollow Club last year.
Scheffler is the pre-tournament favorite to defend his title and record his fifth major win of the season after finishing runner-up at the Masters last month and finishing second in each of his next two PGA Tour appearances.
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Highlights from the final day of the Masters as Rory McIlroy defended his title over Scottie Scheffler and Justin Rose
Bryson DeChambeau finished runner-up in the past two PGA Championships, and Xander Schauffele is attempting to win his second major at this event, two years after his first major title, and both are likely to be Scheffler’s challengers for a major championship.
Jimmy Walker (2016), Justin Thomas (2017, 2022), Brooks Koepka (2018, 2019, 2023) and Phil Mickelson (2021) also won the PGA Championship during America’s 10-year successful streak, and there is plenty of contention to extend that record in Pennsylvania.
Is another PGA Championship victory on the horizon?
Scheffler’s total par score at majors since the beginning of 2022 is 30 strokes higher than anyone else, and the 29-year-old’s dominance over the past few seasons leaves him with a chance to complete a career Grand Slam at next month’s U.S. Open.
Jordan Spieth could also follow Rory McIlroy into the Grand Slam club if he wins this week, making his 10th attempt at a mysterious major title, but he is outside the world’s top 50 and hasn’t broken into the world’s top 10 since June of last year.
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Jordan Spieth has a chance to make history at this week’s PGA Championship, but there’s only one major missing from his golf resume.
Former Ryder Cup player Chris Wood said on the Sky Sports Golf podcast: “He’s not on trend, but I’d love to see Spieth win a Grand Slam.” “His golf takes you on a roller coaster, but I think it’s very entertaining and gives great insight to those watching.
“He almost deserves a career Grand Slam after seeing the kind of form he’s had over the years in almost every major he’s played in. The PGA setup probably doesn’t suit his game very well, but who knows if he’ll be able to use the putter well? He might have a chance, but that’s a long way off!”
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World No. 3 Cameron Young has already won this season’s The Players and Cadillac Championships, while former FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay is also showing signs of good form and is aiming for his first major title.
“He (Cantlay) is trending,” Rob Lee said on the Sky Sports Golf podcast. “In the last four tournaments, he’s had three top 10s and 12 at the Masters. He’s quietly come back to the game without making a fuss.”
European winner with Aronimink?
Australia’s Jason Day became the last international winner of the major after beating Spieth at Whistling Straits in 2015, but McIlroy is a two-time Wanamaker Trophy winner and one of only three European players to ever lift the trophy.
McIlroy won the tournament in 2012 and 2014, and last April he completed the Grand Slam at the Masters, ending an 11-year drought. He defended his title last month and is now hoping to become the first player since Jordan Spieth to win the first two majors in a calendar year.
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As Rory McIlroy looks to win his third PGA Championship this week, take a look at a selection of his best shots from the tournament
“McIlroy is a dynamic player and from speaking to him he loves the golf course (Aronimink),” Sky Sports’ Wayne Rader-Reilly said on Sunday. “(The course) is wide and I can see how much he’s looking forward to it.
“I think he’s going to be very difficult to take down, and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t seriously in the hunt Sunday afternoon.”
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick has already won three times on the PGA Tour this season, FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood is frequently touted as a major contender and Justin Rose finished T3 at last month’s Masters. All three players are among the European players aiming to win the PGA Championship.
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Highlights from the final round of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, where the Fitzpatrick brothers achieved a stunning team victory
“(Tommy) Fleetwood, (Shane) Lowry, (Jon) Rahm, (Matt) Fitzpatrick, (Justin) Rose, (Bob) McIntyre, there’s a lot of them (European candidates),” 2002 champion Rich Beam said on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast. “You can look back at past Ryder Cup teams and go down the list.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a lot of non-American flags on the leaderboard on Sunday. I think it’s possible on this golf course, and you’re going to see a lot of guys fighting until the end for this win.”
Who will win the PGA Championship? Watch live all week long on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening match will begin on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm on Thursday. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
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