GOLF PGA Championship Recap/U.S. Open Preview

The second golf major of the season is now in the books, as the 2024 PGA Championship was held at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville this past week. The PGA is typically the major with the lowest scores. That was definitely the case in the greens of the Bluegrass. 

Here’s a look back at the PGA, and a look ahead to next month’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst…

Schauffele…Finally

Thirty-year-old Xander Schauffele had been considered the best golfer in the world with no majors. Already an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour, he’s also consistently on the first page of the leaderboard. 

This past Sunday at Valhalla, coming down to the final putt, Schauffele finally prevailed. It was a birdie on the 72nd hole, Schauffele finishing one shot ahead of Bryson DeChambeau. Schauffele ended at 21-under par, which was the best score (to par) ever at a major tourney. 

Schauffele, who entered the PGA Championship as a 14-1 (+1400) proposition, was a wire-to-wire winner after his record-setting, nine-under 62 in the opening round. 

With the target on his back, Schauffele had DeChambeau put the pressure on by shooting (seven-under) 64 in the final round, including a clutch birdie putt of his own on the 18th. 

Those two golfers separated themselves. as Viktor Hovland was third at 18-under. 

Schauffele now adds the Wanamaker Trophy to an Olympic gold medal (2020) to the resume. 

Schauffele shot a pair of 68’s (Rounds 2 and 3) ahead of the Sunday. 

Schauffele, a Calfornian, became the ninth consecutive American to win the PGA title. 

Scheffler’s Unwanted Sideshow

It wasn’t a surprise that Scottie Scheffler teed off as the prohibitive (9-2, [+450]) favorite to win the PGA. He was within earshot of Xander Schauffele’s record-setting 62 Thursday with a four-under 67 of his own.

It wasn’t pretty after that. 

As he tried to enter Valhalla Friday morning, he was caught in a traffic jam directed by Louisville police. A misunderstanding led to the arrest of Scheffler, something about dragging a police officer with his car. 

Scheffler was summarily placed in the back of a cop car and booked, but was able to get to the course on time to begin his second round. While any charges are expected to be dismissed, it no doubt affected Sheffler’s focus on the matter at hand. 

Scheffler ended 13-under, marking the 10th time in 13 tries that he’s finished top-10 at a major. He was also playing without caddie Ted Scott during Saturday’s round. Scott was attending his daughter’s high school graduation. 

Off to Carolina

The penultimate major of the golf season is the 2024 U.S Open. It will be played (fourth time) at North Carolina’s Pinehurst (No. 2 course), June 13th through 16th. 

Do not expect to see scores anywhere close to those at the PGA.

Scheffler is once again the solid favorite (7-2, [+350]) to win, according to U.S. Open golf odds. He’s the only golfer under double figures on the board, Rory McIlroy’s 11-1 (+1100) the second choice. Schauffele is right behind at 12-1 (+1200), third in the wagering. 

Wyndham Clark (-10) beat Scheffler (-9) and Rory McIlroy (-8) to win the ‘23 Open at the Los Angeles Country Club. If you think Clark can successfully defend his title, he’s at 33-1 (+3300).

Also with support are Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm, both at 16-1 (+1600).

Note neither Clark nor Rahm made the cut at Valhalla.

Pinehurst will also host the U.S. Open in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047, if you’re available. 

Before Clark in L.A., Matt Fitzpatrick (2022), Jon Rahm (2021), Bryson DeChambeau (2020), Gary Woodland (2019) and Brooks Koepka (2017-18) were recent winners at the U.S. Open.

By the way, Scheffler’s the same 7-2 (+350) price to win at Royal Troon is July, as per British Open odds.