Author: Linus Goldemann

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Forbes 2024: LIV Deal Boosts Jon Rahm to Second Place

Behind Cristiano Ronaldo and ahead of Lionel Messi, Jon Rahm ranks second on the Forbes list. (Photos: Getty)
Behind Cristiano Ronaldo and ahead of Lionel Messi, Jon Rahm ranks second on the Forbes list. (Photos: Getty)

A few days ago, the magazine ‘Forbes’ published its annually updated list of the world’s best-paid athletes. While Portugal’s soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo defends his place in the sun, Jon Rahm makes the biggest leap in the entire ranking, taking second place. The Spaniard has not only pushed Lionel Messi into third place, but is also among the top 3 earners in the sporting world as a golfer for the first time since Tiger Woods in 2013 (1st). The salaries from LIV Golf make it possible.

Forbes List 2024: Rahm, McIlroy & Co. – The five golfers of the ranking

Between May 2023 and May 2024, Forbes examined the total income of the world’s highest-paid athletes, as it does every year. The list of the 50 top earners also includes five golfers, among whom a recent LIV star plays a special role. Jon Rahm was not even among the top 50 in the previous year’s list, but is in second place this year with a total income of 218 million US dollars (201 million euros). The Spaniard owes this primarily to his lucrative LIV deal: According to Forbes, a full 198 million dollars of this comes from his income/contracts on the golf course, while ‘only’ 20 million dollars was earned off the golf course, for example through advertising revenue. This means that only Cristiano Ronaldo earned more in the last twelve months, defending his place from the previous year with a total income of 260 million dollars (240 million euros).

Jon Rahm and the second highest-paid golfer on the list are mainly separated by soccer and basketball stars such as Lionel Messi (3rd), LeBron James (4th), Kylian Mbappé (6th) and Stephen Curry (9th). Finally, Rory McIlroy, who was recently replaced by Xander Schauffele in second place in the world golf rankings after a long time, follows in 19th place. The Northern Irishman has a total income of 80.1 million dollars (73.8 million euros) and is therefore four places ahead of Tiger Woods with a total income of 67.2 million dollars (61.9 million euros). It is particularly striking that the 48-year-old alone earned 55 million dollars outside the golf course, for example through advertising revenue. This puts Woods in sixth place in this category. World number one and reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is in 29th place with 59.2 million dollars (54.6 million euros). The last golfer on the list is Cameron Smith, like Jon Rahm a player on the LIV Tour, with 48 million dollars (44.2 million euros).

The impact of LIV Golf changes the Forbes list

In 2013, Tiger Woods in first place (78.1 million dollars) was the last golfer to occupy one of the top three places on the Forbes list; between 2018 and 2022, only once did a golfer occupy a place among the ten highest-paid athletes in the world (2020: Tiger Woods in eighth place). This changed abruptly with the salaries of LIV Golf. In 2023, the two LIV golfers Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson were ranked sixth and seventh respectively. This year, Jon Rahm provided the biggest jump of the year with a second place finish and the first top three finish by a golfer since 2013. Rahm, who was not on the list last year, caused an uproar in the golf world when he signed with LIV Golf in December last year. While the details of the contract have not been released, it has already been reported to be at least $300 million over several years. We can certainly expect to see more LIV Golfers among the top earners in the sporting world in the future.

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Prize Money Payout: How Much Each Golfer Earned at the PGA Championship 2024

In addition to considerable prize money, the winner of the PGA Championship 2024 will win the famous Wanamaker Trophy. (Photo: Getty)
In addition to considerable prize money, the winner of the PGA Championship 2024 will win the famous Wanamaker Trophy. (Photo: Getty)

During the course of the PGA Championship 2024, the prize money to be played for this year was announced. This year, the golfing elite will gather at the famous Valhalla Golf Club, which is hosting the Major for the fourth time. As with the other majors, the best golfers in the world will be playing for impressive prize money.

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PGA Championship 2024: A look at the prize money payout

The PGA of America has set the prize money for the 2024 PGA Championship at 18.5 million dollars. That means they will pay out one million dollars more than last year. The payout also exceeds the prize money for the Masters by 500,000 dollars. The winner Xander Schauffele will receive a total of 3.33 million dollars for first place. The rest of the prize money will be distributed among the players according to their rankings. Players who missed the cut but finished 36 holes will each receive 4,000 dollars.

Position Spieler Score Preisgeld
1  Xander Schauffele -21 $3,330,000
2  Bryson DeChambeau -20 $1,998,000
3  Viktor Hovland -18 $1,258,000
T4  Thomas Detry -15 $814,000
T4  Collin Morikawa -15 $814,000
T6  Justin Rose -14 $639,440
T6  Shane Lowry -14 $639,440
T8  Billy Horschel -13 $521,417
T8  Scottie Scheffler -13 $521,417
T8  Justin Thomas -13 $521,417
T8  Robert MacIntyre -13 $521,417
T12  Alex Noren -12 $359,943
T12  Rory McIlroy -12 $359,943
T12  Taylor Moore -12 $359,943
T12  Lee Hodges -12 $359,943
T12  Dean Burmester -12 $359,943
T12  Sahith Theegala -12 $359,943
T18  Ryo Hisatsune -11 $230,764
T18  Keegan Bradley -11 $230,764
T18  Harris English -11 $230,764
T18  Austin Eckroat -11 $230,764
T18  Tony Finau -11 $230,764
T23  Tom Hoge -10 $170,137
T23  Maverick McNealy -10 $170,137
T23  Russell Henley -10 $170,137
T26  Tommy Fleetwood -9 $113,962
T26  Brooks Koepka -9 $113,962
T26  Corey Conners -9 $113,962
T26  Brian Harman -9 $113,962
T26  Min Woo Lee -9 $113,962
T26  Kurt Kitayama -9 $113,962
T26  Ben Kohles -9 $113,962
T26  Mark Hubbard -9 $113,962
T26  Tom Kim -9 $113,962
T35  Brice Garnett -8 $79,182
T35  Max Homa -8 $79,182
T35  Doug Ghim -8 $79,182
T35  Hideki Matsuyama -8 $79,182
T39  Jordan Smith -7 $66,847
T39  Joaquín Niemann -7 $66,847
T39  Alexander Bjork -7 $66,847
T39  Aaron Rai -7 $66,847
T43  Dustin Johnson -6 $48,969
T43  Grayson Murray -6 $48,969
T43  Byeong Hun An -6 $48,969
T43  Adam Svensson -6 $48,969
T43  Lucas Glover -6 $48,969
T43  Will Zalatoris -6 $48,969
T43  Jason Day -6 $48,969
T43  Matt Wallace -6 $48,969
T43  Jordan Spieth -6 $48,969
T43  Lucas Herbert -6 $48,969
T53  Andrew Putnam -5 $32,587.
T53  Erik van Rooyen -5 $32,587
T53  Jesper Svensson -5 $32,587
T53  Patrick Cantlay -5 $32,587
T53  Patrick Reed -5 $32,587
T53  Thorbjorn Olesen -5 $32,587
T53  Zac Blair -5 $32,587
T60  Talor Gooch -4 $27,017
T60  Adam Hadwin -4 $27,017
T60  Gary Woodland -4 $27,017
T63  S.H. Kim -3 $25,202
T63  Rickie Fowler -3 $25,202
T63  Cameron Young -3 $25,202
T63  Tyrrell Hatton -3 $25,202
T63  Cameron Smith -3 $25,202
T68  Sebastian Soderberg -2 $23,537
T68  Rasmus Højgaard -2 $23,537
T68  Luke Donald -2 $23,537
T68  Nicolai Hojgaard -2 $23,537
72  Braden Shattuck -1 $22,830
T73  Alejandro Tosti E $22,560
T73  Martin Kaymer E $22,560
75  Ryan Fox 2 $22,350
76  Stephan Jaeger 5 $22,230
77  Jeremy Wells 6 $22,140
78  Brendon Todd 9 $22,100
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PGA Championship 2024: Rory McIlroy Must Improve on the Weekend

Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)

After Rory McIlroy made an excellent start to the PGA Championship 2024 with a round of 66, the Northern Irishman weakened on the second day in Valhalla. With a birdie on the last hole, his round of 71 at least came to a conciliatory end. McIlroy got off to a solid start on the front nine with two birdies and a bogey, but made a bitter double bogey on the twelfth hole. The world number two was at least able to make up for this mistake a little on the last hole.

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PGA Championship 2024: McIlroy in danger of losing touch with leading group

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After his round of 71 on the second day of the PGA Championship 2024, Rory McIlroy is in danger of losing touch with the top group. After a 66-71, the world number two is currently tied 22nd (-5) and is already seven shots behind leader Xander Schauffele (-12). After a bogey and two birdies on the first nine holes in the second round, McIlroy was actually in a good position going into the back nine. However, the Northern Irishman made an annoying double bogey on the twelfth hole and came under pressure. Although McIlroy managed an important birdie on the 18th hole, this performance was not enough to keep him in the top group. The 35-year-old will have to improve accordingly at the weekend.

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PGA Championship 2024: Tiger Woods Fails to Make the Cut in Valhalla

Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Tiger Woods made a solid start to the PGA Championship 2024 with a round of 72, but it became apparent early on on the second day of the tournament that the cut would be out of reach for the golf legend. A triple bogey on the second hole was followed by a bogey on the third hole. A second triple bogey followed on the next hole, meaning Woods’ chances of making the cut were already buried. Tiger actually played a good round the rest of the day with two birdies and two bogeys. He even recorded another birdie on the last hole to bring the tournament to a conciliatory close.

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PGA Championship 2024 – Woods: “Just kept making mistakes”

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Q. How would you characterize your week?

TIGER WOODS: The week, it was a great week being here, being here at Valhalla, and unfortunately my scores did not indicate how the people treated me and how great a week I had. Unfortunately, I hit too many shots.

Q. Specifically your play today, what do you think led to too many shots?

TIGER WOODS: Well, I got off to bad start and the rough grabbed me at 2. No sand in the bunker as well. Just made a mistake there. I compounded the problem there at 4. Just kept making mistakes and things you can’t do, not just in tournaments but in majors especially. And I just kept making them. I hung around for most of the day but unfortunately the damage was done early.

Q. What’s that like when you put yourself so far behind early, it’s not looking good? What do you get out of playing hard the rest of the way, outside of pride?

TIGER WOODS: Just keep fighting. Keep the pedal on, keep fighting, keep grinding, keep working hard at posting the best score that I can possibly post today. That’s all I can do. It’s going to be a lot, but I’m going to fight until the end.

Q. You said you’re getting stronger. Are you still confident the game will get better?

TIGER WOODS: It will. In time. I just got to — I need to play more. Unfortunately, I just haven’t played a whole lot of tournaments, and not a whole lot of tournaments on my schedule either. Hopefully everything will somehow come together in my practice sessions at home and be ready for
Pinehurst.

Q. Is it fair to say you’re better physically now than you were a month ago?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah.

Q. And also, what do you build on now? What do you like that you feel like you can build on to improve, say, for Pinehurst?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, I need to clean up my rounds. But also — physically, yes, I am better than I was a month ago. I still have more ways to go, lots of improvement to go physically, and hopefully my team and I can get that done pre-Pinehurst and going into it.

Q. You talked about the desire to win again. You thought you could still win again. And yet you’re spending lot of time on the PGA TOUR policy board, which you obviously spend a lot of focus on that as well. Is there one that’s more important to you than the other?

TIGER WOODS: No, they’re both equally important to me, playing and my responsibilities as a player director, whether it’s on policy board or it’s on the enterprise board. All three are important in their own different ways. Different ways that, one, for me playing for pride and what I can do out here, but also off the golf course the impact and responsibility that I have as a player director and as a representative of the players and what I can do off the golf course to help this tour.

Q. Is the management part of that second thing, has that been a difficult transition in regards to trying to get your game together?

TIGER WOODS: Well, if you ask any of the player directors, we just don’t sleep much. There’s a lot of late nights and zoom calls at odd hours of the night, all throughout the night, and lots of e-mails to read. These are all things that I signed up for as a player director and ways that I can help, and hopefully I can make that impact and we’ve done that so far, and hopefully we can make more of an impact.

Q. Curious, as a guy who is playing the majors for 30 years and has pretty much seen everything, what did you make of this morning?

TIGER WOODS: Unfortunate. That’s all I can say. It was an unfortunate incident and I don’t know what has played out since then, but hopefully everything works out.

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PGA Championship 2024: Scheffler “Did Spend Some Time Stretching in a Jail Cell”

Scottie Scheffler in the second round of the PGA Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler in the second round of the PGA Championship 2024. (Photo: Getty)

After the second day at the PGA Championship 2024 got off to a turbulent start for Scottie Scheffler with his shocking arrest, the world number one was unfazed by the chaos and delivered a strong performance on the course. After an impressive round of 66, Scheffler went into the clubhouse in the interim T3 position (-9). After a birdie on his first hole, the Masters winner then made a bogey, but this was to be his only stroke loss of the day. Scheffler followed this up with five more birdies and starts the weekend in a great position. The new father has not yet fully come to terms with the completely surprising arrest: “I feel like my head is still spinning. I can’t really explain what happened this morning. I did spend some time stretching in a jail cell. That was a first for me. That was part of my warmup.”

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Scottie Scheffler on his second round of the PGA Championship 2024

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THE MODERATOR: Thank you for joining us. Is there anything you’d like to say to start?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Yeah, first of all, my sympathies go out to the family of Mr. Mills. I can’t imagine what they’re going through this morning. One day he’s heading to the golf course to watch a tournament. A few moments later he’s trying to cross the street, and now he’s no longer with us. I can’t imagine what they’re going through. My heart — I feel for them. I’m sorry. My situation will get handled. It was a chaotic situation and a big misunderstanding. I can’t comment on any of the specifics of it, so I feel like y’all are going to be disappointed, but I can’t comment on any specifics, but my situation will be handled.

Q. How do you encapsulate everything that happened to you today?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: I don’t really know. I feel like my head is still spinning. I can’t really explain what happened this morning. I did spend some time stretching in a jail cell. That was a first for me. That was part of my warmup. I was just sitting there waiting and I started going through my warmup, I felt like there was a chance I may be able to still come out here and play. I started going through my routine and I tried to get my heart rate down as much as I could today, but like I said, I still feel like my head is spinning a little bit. But I was fortunate to be able to make it back out and play some golf today.

I came here for a golf tournament. I was driving in this morning, trying to get to my warmup time and get ready for the round of golf. I didn’t really have an understanding of what had transpired this morning. My main focus after getting arrested was wondering if I could be able to come back out here and play, andfortunately I was able to do that. It was nice to put together a solid round today for sure.

Q. How long did it take before the golf felt normal, or did it feel normal at any point once you got out there?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: It probably took a few holes to feel normal. Obviously I didn’t have my normal warmup and I usually stick to my routine. I’m a big routine guy, especially when it comes to my preparation. But it took a few holes to settle in.

Q. We’ve come to know you as a pretty unflappable person out here, not affected by a lot of stuff. Can you describe how rattled you were when — you just referenced being in a jail cell and whatnot. Just describe that mindset and how surreal that was for you.

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Yeah, I was pretty rattled to say the least. The officer that took me to the jail was very kind. He was great. We had a nice chat in the car, that kind of helped calm me down. I was never angry. I was just in shock, and I was shaking the whole time. I was shaking for like an hour. It was definitely a new feeling for me. He came out and we had a nice chat and then the officers inside the jail were tremendous. A couple of them made some jokes I think when they figured out who I was and what happened and how I ended up there. I’m grateful that we have such strong police, and they’re our protectors out there, and like I said, we just got into a chaotic situation this morning. That’s really all it was.

Q. Did it ever cross your mind with the shaking stuff that voluntarily not playing today, maybe going home? Did it ever cross your mind?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Not really, no.

Q. Did you ever say to someone this morning, “I’m Scottie Scheffler”?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: No. When they got me out of the car — like I said, it was very chaotic, and I said, I’m sorry, I’m just trying to get to my tee time. Outside of that, things escalated from there. I did numerous apologies and whatever, but like I said, it was chaotic, it’s dark, it was raining, there’s a lot of stuff going on. They had just had an accident. I didn’t know what it happened at the time, other than there was an accident. I didn’t know that it was fatal. Like I said, my heart goes out to the family. But no, at no point did I try to name drop myself to defuse the situation. I just tried to remain as calm as possible and just follow instructions.

Q. On the detail, how long were you actually in the cell for, and in the context of everything else, where among the best rounds of your career would be a 66 after getting arrested?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Yeah, I couldn’t tell you how long I was in there. As far as best rounds of my career, I would say it was pretty good. I definitely never imagined ever going to jail, and I definitely never imagined going to jail the morning before one of my tee times for sure. But yeah, like I said, I was grateful to be able to go out there and compete, and yeah, it was definitely a nice round of golf. My heart goes out to the family. But outside of that, yeah, I’m glad to be out here competing, doing what I love.

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PGA Championship 2024: The Major Returns to Valhalla

The 2024 PGA Championship will take place in Valhalla this year. (Photo: Getty)
The 2024 PGA Championship will take place in Valhalla this year. (Photo: Getty)

The PGA Championship 2024 is coming up and this year it will take place at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky. The golf club, nestled in the beauty of Kentucky, is no stranger to hosting major golf events, and this will be the fourth time the PGA Championship has been held here. Past majors at Valhalla have seen golf legends such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy claim victory.

PGA Championship 2024: The rich history of the Major in Valhalla

As the dust of the track and the cheers of the fans started to settle at the 150th Kentucky Derby in Churchill Downs, the agitation at nearby Valhalla Golf Club reignited with the preparations for the 106th PGA Championship. And the “most exciting two minutes in sports” gave way to “once in a decade golf celebration in Kentucky.” According to Churchill Downs, Mystik Dan’s win marked the first three-horse photo finish since 1947 and the first race decided by a nose margin since 1996. Like an echo of the Kentucky Derby, the three PGA Championships contested at Valhalla in the last three decades concluded with a photo finish or a nose margin–a playoff or one stroke difference in golf lingo.

Pictures of the Kentucky Derby. (Photo: PGA of America)

“I had a heartache in 96 when Mark Brooks beat me in a playoff,” said local golf star Kenny Perry about his defeat at the first PGA Championship in Kentucky. Four years later, Tiger Woods prevailed in a playoff against Bob May to win his fifth and third consecutive major at Valhalla. “Tiger was incredible,” remembers two-time Masters winner José María Olázabal, who shot a 9-under-par 63 course record on the third day and finished tied fourth. “I have great memories of that amazing round and Valhalla, a solid golf course with tough rough,” said the Spaniard. “But I specially remember the Ryder Cup there in 2008, when the Americans played really well.”

Perry was part of that American winning team captained by Paul Azinger.  “My dad, at 86 years old, came off the green in his bib overalls and gave me a hug. This is where I love to go, and to me, this is the pinnacle of golf in Kentucky,” added Perry about the 2008 Ryder Cup and Valhalla Golf Club. “We were fortunate to have epic and historic finishes,” said Jimmy Kirchdorfer, General Chairman of the 2024 PGA Championship. “A lot of people from Kentucky would say the Ryder Cup, when the US was struggling to win for a while, was the best sporting event they have ever been to.”

Jimmy Kirchdorfer and Justin Thomas. (Photo: PGA of America)

After the memorable victory of Rory McIlroy by one-stroke in the 2014 PGA Championship in the darkness, Kirchdorfer, along with the new co-owners of Valhalla Golf Club and its membership have been instrumental in bringing the PGA Championship back to Kentucky one decade later. “The tremendous response from the Louisville and Kentucky community has been essential to make this event a record-breaking championship,” said 2024 PGA Championship Director, Ryan Ogle, as he supports his assessment with staggering numbers.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the Wanamaker Trophy during the Award Ceremony for the 96th PGA Championship, at Valhalla Golf Club, on August 10, 2014 in Louisville, KY. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)

Over 200,000 spectators are expected during the week, breaking the record ticket sales set in 2018. Valhalla will accommodate 700,000 square feet of temporary flooring, over 285 tent structures, and 600 TVs will be spread across the property. On The Rocks, the Elijah Craig Bourbon Speakeasy by the 14th hole of Valhalla Golf Club will be one of the massive hospitality structures showcasing the official bourbon cocktail of the 2024 PGA Championship, the Elijah Craig Mulligan. “In terms of size, it will be more than double compared with 2014,” added Ogle, also highlighting the over 500 million households around the world with access to over 250 hours of live coverage.

The Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. (Photo: PGA of America)

“I am very excited about the PGA Championship in Kentucky. When the time comes, it will be a very special week,” said two-time PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas, who will be playing a major in Valhalla for the first time. “I have been to Valhalla a handful of times. It is obviously well known and the most famous course in Kentucky, a special place,” added Thomas, who grew up playing golf at Harmony Landing Country Club, in Goshen, Kentucky, where his father Mike is still a pro.

Thomas will be the only Kentuckian at the traditional Champions Dinner, hosted by the 2023 winner Brooks Koepka at the home of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs. “Whatever my mom is cooking at home would be my recommendation for food in Kentucky,” noted Thomas as a potential culinary advice to Koepka, who finished T-15 in Valhalla in 2014. That year, Michael Block, the PGA of America Golf Professional who became the people’s hero in 2023 when he finished T-15 at Oak Hill, made his debut in the PGA Championship in Valhalla after winning the PGA Professional Championship.

The beautiful Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky. (Photo: PGA of America)

“Kentucky has been great. We have been staying downtown Louisville all week and everyone has been absolutely fantastic. It was a great experience,” said after missing the cut in 2014 Block, part of the Corebridge Financial Team of 21 PGA of America Professionals competing along the best in the world in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club.

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PGA Championship 2024: The Valhalla Golf Club

After 2014, the PGA Championship 2024 returns to Valhalla Golf Club. (Photo: Getty)
After 2014, the PGA Championship 2024 returns to Valhalla Golf Club. (Photo: Getty)

The PGA Championship 2024 will take place at Valhalla Golf Club between May 16 and 19. The last time the major was held on this course, Rory McIlroy won on a dramatic final day in 2014. Ten years after McIlroy’s last major victory, a lot has changed on the golf course. A look at the venue for the second major of the year.

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PGA Championship 2024: The Return to Valhalla

Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, is a private golf club designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1986. This year, as part of the PGA Championship 2024, the major will be held for the fourth time in the history of the golf club – most recently in 2014. Since then, the club has switched from bentgrass on the fairways and tees to a Zoysia variety This allows the grass to be cut shorter and the ball to roll better. Some tees have also been lengthened.

The first hole of the course is a par 4, stretches over almost 443 meters (484 yards) and has been extended by 35 meters (38 yards). Due to the bend to the left, players should be careful not to hit too close to the left side of the fairway. Since 2014, the second hole has also been a par 4 with a length of 457 meters (500 yards). It continues with a 190-meter (208-yard) par 3 that winds between the tee and the green and then curves around the right side of the green. The green is protected by a large bunker on the right and a smaller bunker on the left and behind the green. On the fourth hole, another par 4 with a length of 340 meters (372 yards) awaits, which is protected by a deep bunker on the left and a small bunker on the right. Two more par 4s await on the fifth and sixth holes, which stretch to 423 meters (463 yards) and 453 meters (495 yards). While hole five, which bends slightly to the right, is one of the most difficult holes on the course, the sixth hole offers a special highlight with Floyd’s Fork running through it. It continues with the par 5 of the seventh hole: at a length of 546 meters (597 yards), players have the option of playing to the left or right thanks to a split fairway. The shorter route is to the left, the safer one to the right. At 174 meters (190 yards), the eighth hole is the shortest hole on the course. It is guarded by a deep bunker in front of the green and a slippery catchment area behind it. The first nine holes end with a 379-meter (415-yard) par 4. The difficulty of this hole lies in the uphill approach to the clubhouse. One of the largest and deepest bunkers on the course is located directly to the right of the green.

With a length of 539 meters (590 yards), the second longest hole on the course opens the back nine as a par 4. Both the tenth hole and the 193-meter (211-yard) par 3 eleventh hole are largely unchanged. At 452 meters (494 yards), however, the twelfth hole has been lengthened by 25 meters (27 yards) compared to 2014. The green has one of the deepest bunkers on the course on the right and dense Kentucky bluegrass on the left. This is followed by the 321-meter (351-yard) par 4 13th hole, Valhalla’s signature hole and the shortest par 4 on the course. The tee shot has been set about 9 feet (2.7 meters) lower to allow for good visibility. The green is built almost 6 meters (20 ft) high on large boulders and surrounded by water. At a length of 232 meters (254 yards), the 14th hole is the longest par 3 on the course, which has been lengthened by around 34 meters (37 yards) since 2014. The three par 4s on holes 15 (398 meters/435 yards), 16 (465 meters/ 508 yards) and 17 (432 meters/ 472 yards) are largely unchanged. Finally, a par 5 with a length of 521 meters (570 yards) awaits on the 18th. The hole has been lengthened by 26 meters (28 yards) since 2014. A large bunker protects the left side of the fairway and the water on the right.

Video of Valhalla Golf Club at the PGA Championship 2024

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PGA Championship 2024: Favorites, TV Times and Valhalla – An Overview

After 2014, the PGA Championship 2024 will once again take place in Valhalla. (Photo: Getty)
After 2014, the PGA Championship 2024 will once again take place in Valhalla. (Photo: Getty)

The PGA Championship 2024 is just around the corner. Between May 16 and 19, the best golfers in the world will compete at the legendary Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. At the second major of the year, players will compete for the coveted Wanamaker Trophy and prize money of $17.5 million with the champion winning $3.15 million (As of 2023). A look at the tournament’s favorites and headliners, the famous course and streaming offers.

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PGA Championship 2024: Defending Champion Koepka and other Favorites

At the PGA Championship 2024, Brooks Koepka will be the defending champion and one of the big favorites in Valhalla. The 34-year-old LIV golfer has already won the major three times and successfully defended his title in 2019. Koepka is already an outstanding major golfer and will certainly be one of the top players this year.

There is still a question mark over the participation of the second big favorite in the tournament. Scottie Scheffler is expecting his first baby in the next few days and has therefore withdrawn his participation for the time being. However, the first rumors are already emerging that the child has already been born and that participation in the PGA Championship 2024 is back on the cards. The 27-year-old finished second behind Koepka last year and is currently in outstanding form. This year, Scheffler has already won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, defended his title at THE PLAYERS Championship and triumphed at The Masters 2024, followed by victory at the RBC Heritage just one week later. Should the world number one take part in the tournament, he will certainly be a big favorite for the Wanamaker Trophy.

The third player to be mentioned is certainly Rory McIlroy. Although it has been ten years since the 35-year-old’s last major victory, the two-time PGA Championship winner is always a force to be reckoned with. Fittingly, McIlroy’s last victory at a major was at the 2014 PGA Championship, which was also held in Valhalla at the time. Possibly a good sign for the world number two. Other favorites are sure to be in-form players Wyndham Clark, Xander Schauffele, Ludvig Aberg and Co.

Fans can also look forward to Justin Thomas, the winner of 2017 and 2022, and Phil Mickelson, who celebrated his second title in 2021 after 2005. Four-time champion Tiger Woods, who is playing his first tournament since The Masters 2024, is also sure to be a special highlight.

How to watch the PGA Championship 2024: US & UK

In the USA, the PGA Championship 2024 will mainly be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+. CBS will also broadcast the tournament on Saturday and Sunday. These channels will provide full coverage.

DayTV channel and time
Thursday, May 16ESPN+ 7:00AM-12:00PM
ESPN 12:00PM-8:00PM
Friday, May 17ESPN+ 7:00AM-1:00PM
ESPN 1:00PM-8:00PM
Saturday, May 18ESPN+ 8:00AM-10:00AM
ESPN 10:00AM-1:00PM
CBS 1:00PM-7:00PM
Sunday, May 19ESPN+ 8:00AM-10:00AM
ESPN 10:00AM-1:00PM
CBS 1:00PM-7:00PM
The TV times in the US.

In the UK, Sky is the rights holder for the broadcast of the tournament and offers a broadcast of the entire event.

DayTV channel and time
Thursday, May 16Sky Sports Main Event from 13:00
Sky Sports Golf from 13:00
Sky Sports Main Event from 22:30
Friday, May 17Sky Sports Golf from 13:00
Sky Sports Main Event from 17:00
Sky Sports Main Event from 22:30
Saturday, May 18Sky Sports Golf from 14:00
Sunday, May 19Sky Sports Golf from 14:00
Sky Sports Main Event from 19:30
The TV times in the UK.

There is also the official PGA Championship app, which offers further exclusive content for visitors on site and viewers at home.

PGA Championship 2024: Return to the Legendary Valhalla Golf Club

Ten years after Rory McIlroy’s legendary victory at the Major, the PGA Championship 2024 will once again take place in Valhalla. The golf club, nestled in the beauty of Kentucky, is no stranger to hosting major golf events, and this will be the fourth time the PGA Championship has been held here. Past majors at Valhalla have seen golf legends such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy claim victory.

The course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, stretches over a length of 7609 yards and is played as a par 71. At 597 yards, the seventh hole is the longest on the course. The shortest hole on the course is hole 3 at just 208 yards.

Categories
Equipment

TaylorMade Golf Introduces Team TaylorMade Junior Set

TaylorMade Golf Introduces the Team TaylorMade Junior Set. (Photo: TaylorMade Golf)
TaylorMade Golf Introduces the Team TaylorMade Junior Set. (Photo: TaylorMade Golf)

TaylorMade Golf introduces the Team TaylorMade Junior set, the results of extensive research and engineering by the same engineers that design equipment for Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Nelly Korda. The Team TaylorMade Junior Set is unisex and was designed to be offered in three different sets by age groups of 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.

TaylorMade: Exclusive content from the World’s best Golfers

Team TaylorMade athletes and ambassadors created exclusive content for juniors available to those who purchase the Team TaylorMade Junior Set. Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwoodand Brooke Henderson, as well as brand ambassadors Gabby Golf Girl, Chris Trott and Grant Horvat help unlock the secrets of the game with tips, tricks and drills to help junior golfers jumpstart their golf journeys.

The Team TaylorMade Junior Set is unisex and available for three different age groups. (Photo: TaylorMade Golf)

This makes the set a blend of introductory golf content for parents looking to get their kids into the game of golf, while also being a high performing product specifically designed for different age groups.

Junior Equipment designed with a purpose

Led by a 400cc 17° Titanium driver with a large flexible face and a low Centre of Gravity (CG) designed for maximum distance and forgiveness, each club in the set is built to allow for proper fundamentals to be developed from an early age. The set has the appropriate weight, length and loft to avoid poor technique arising from having to counteract for improper equipment.

The Team TaylorMade Junior Set 1 Driver. (Photo: TaylorMade Golf)

Fairways and hybrids feature a low-profile face, ample loft and low CG to make the clubs as easy to hit as possible. Team TaylorMade Junior Set irons and wedges are both designed for high launch and playability. The irons are equipped with TaylorMade’s inverted conetechnology seen in Qi Irons featuring a flexible face and lightweight components.

The Team TaylorMade Junior Set 3 Wedge. (Photo: TaylorMade Golf)

Compared to P·Series irons at 270g, the TaylorMade Junior Set heavy 7-iron is 248g and the light 7-iron is 205g. The TaylorMade Junior Set putter measures 315g compared to the average TP Collection Blade at 350g.

The Team TaylorMade Junior Set 3 7-iron. (Photo: TaylorMade Golf)

The bag and headcover colours are blue and white with the Team TaylorMade Junior Set logo. The stand bag itself is water and stain resistant with a large ball pocket, water bottleholder and adjustable double strap to make it easy to carry.

The Team TaylorMade Junior Set 2 Bag. (Photo: TaylorMade Golf)

This text is a Press Release by TaylorMade Golf.

Categories
Highlights Tours

The Masters Tournament 2024: Tiger Woods Secures Cut Record at Augusta

Tiger Woods at The Masters Tournament 2024 (Photo: Getty)
Tiger Woods at The Masters Tournament 2024 (Photo: Getty)

On the second day of The Masters Tournament 2024, Tiger Woods added another impressive record to his CV. Thanks to a solid round of 72, the five-time Masters winner secured the cut, which is expected to be +4. Woods thus made the cut at Augusta for the 24th time in a row and is now the sole record holder.

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The Masters Tournament 2024: Tiger Woods with 24 made cuts in a row

The second day of The Masters Tournament 2024 was a tough one for Tiger Woods: after his first round was interrupted after 13 holes due to the onset of darkness, the five-time Masters winner was forced to play 23 holes on Friday. Woods, who has been struggling with pain throughout, visibly lost his rhythm at the start of the second day and recorded two bogeys on the last five holes at the end of his first round. With a round of 73 behind him, the 48-year-old went into round two accordingly. This was an up-and-down affair for Woods, with four bogeys and four birdies, he ultimately posted a strong round of 72 to secure the cut at this year’s Masters.

Until this moment, Tiger Woods shared the record for the most cuts made at the US Masters with the two other golf legends Gary Player and Fred Couples. However, with his 24th cut in a row, Woods overtook them and is now the sole record holder. The visibly exhausted 48-year-old left the course for the clubhouse to rapturous applause and showed his will to win: “It means I have a chance going into the weekend. I’m here. I have a chance to win the golf tournament. I don’t know if they’re all going to finish today, but I’m done. I got my two rounds in. Just need some food and some caffeine, and I’ll be good to go.”

Follow Rory McIlroy at the Masters Tournament live