PGA Championship: Our Favorites And Not-So-Favorites

Today, with the 2022 PGA Championship nearly upon us, we once again dip into the dangerous waters of trying to Predict/Guess/Calculate/Estimate which player may or may not be hoisting the bulky chunk of lovely silver on Sunday — otherwise known as the Wanamaker Trophy.

It’s hard to draw upon memory when the last time we set foot on the remarkable Southern Hills layout was the boiling-in-oil 1977 U.S. Open, won by tight-lipped, media-ducking Hubert Green.

This week’s field is packed with talent and the two biggest stories remain — Tiger Woods is playing — and defending champion Phil Mickelson is not.  Truth be known, Tiger’s presence overshadows Phil absence — it’s been that way forever — Tiger overshadowing Phil — except last year when Lefty stunned the sports world and became the oldest-ever winner of a major championship.

So instead of mourning Phil’s absence, let’s get right to the business at hand:

First Tier Favorites:

Scottie Scheffler:  Scottie should be the favorite everywhere he tees it up and this week is no exception.  It’s tough to put credence in practice rounds — but Scottie had a pretty impressive visit to Southern Hills last month.  The Byron Nelson was his first individual event since The Masters and he showed enough to instill belief that he’ll perform well this week.  Thus, we’re going out on that big fat limb and taking the world’s No. 1 as our guy this week.  Only man in the field with a shot at the calendar-year Grand Slam.

Justin Thomas:  J.T. hasn’t been high on our list for a while.  He hasn’t won since the 2021 Players but we saw enough at the Nelson to believe J.T. can be a very serious contender this week.

Jordan Spieth:  Here’s Jordy’s big chance to complete the Career Grand Slam.  No one has ever completed it at the PGA Championship.  If Jordy can avoid three-putting from inside seven feet (see No. 10 Sunday at Craig Ranch), we think he can get it done.  He’s still not making those bombs that he made when he was winning major championships but to his credit, it looks like he’s gotten rid of the devil ball off the tee box with his driver.

Max Homa:  What’s not to like about this kid and his solid game?  Time for Max to make the big step and show up on Sunday at a major championship.

Cam Smith:  Guess this falls under that “round up the usual suspects” category.  With that putter, he’s a threat anywhere and everywhere.

Second Tier Favorites:

Xander Schauffele:  After a really slow start last week, Xander really got it going.  He was the ultimate driving machine (sorry BMW).  He was blowing drives past D.J. and Xander got on a birdie roll at the Byron Nelson.  If he can keep that momentum, who knows what might happen come Sunday?

Jon Rahm:  We had to get to the world’s No. 2 sooner or later.  Not sure this is his week.  If he’s not in the hunt on Sunday, that’s his putter’s fault.

Collin Morikawa:  Just doesn’t look like the kid who won the PGA at Harding Park.  Hate that paintbrush putting grip!

Rory McIlroy:  Hasn’t won a major since the 2015 PGA — it would be ironic if he made his return to the major championship winner’s circle this week.

Viktor Hovland:  Hopefully he’s been working on his short game around the greens — that’s a make-or-break proposition for this talented ball-striker.

Third Tier Favorites: 

Shane Lowry:  The likeable Irishman was impressive at Augusta National.

Hideki Matsuyama:  He’s gotten past his neck issues and looked really good on Sunday at the Nelson.

Patrick Cantlay:  When is this guy going to show up at a major?

Tiger Woods:  Wouldn’t it be great to see him in the hunt on Sunday?  Can he turn back the clock to 2007?

Joaquin Niemann:  Those low/medium bullets off the tee will serve him well this week.  Had a sloppy Sunday at the Nelson, hopefully he can rebound.

Fourth Tier Favorites:

Will Zalatoris:  We’re sounding like a broken record — If Only He Could Putt!

Sam Burns:  Is he ready for prime time?

Dustin Johnson:  D.J. just hasn’t looked like D.J. for a while now.  Good news is that Paulina still looks like Paulina!

Taylor (the) Gooch:  Another Oklahoma State guy who can play in windy conditions and it’s supposed to be very windy the first two rounds.

Brooks Koepka:  Does anyone know if this guy still plays golf?

There you have ’em — twenty to choose from — but the top dog is still Scottie Scheffler.

Tulsa Weather Report:  Hot and windy on Thursday, perhaps winds in excess of 20 miles per hour.  It will turn cooler on Friday with thunderstorms.

First and Second Round Groups, Starting Times (click here):

Television Broadcast Schedule:

Thursday-Friday:  ESPN  2 p.m. – 8 p.m. (EDT)

Saturday-Sunday:  ESPN 10 a.m – 1 p.m. (EDT);  CBS:  1 p.m.-7 p.m. (EDT)