The 2024 PGA Championship is about to tee off at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, and the golf world is already preparing to enjoy it. Like all high-level tournaments, the second major of the season will be full of storylines to follow closely, including historical and current rivalries.
Several players will not only seek to win the PGA Championship title but also to engage in a specific rivalry with one of their fellow competitors. Notable rivalries include Brooks Koepka versus Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler against Jon Rahm, and Tiger Woods challenging Phil Mickelson.
Let’s delve into the topic.
Top 3 rivalries to look forward to at 2024 PGA Championship
When discussing specific rivalries among players, the focus is not on who will take home the title, but on who will excel in their performance.
Koepka, McIlroy, Scheffler, and Rahm are some of the top contenders, while Mickelson and Woods are not considered favorites. Nevertheless, their presence at the 2024 PGA Championship will surely attract a lot of attention due to their remarkable history in the sport.
#1 Brooks Koepka vs. Rory McIlroy
Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy are renowned for their competitive rivalry in the world of sports. Koepka boasts five major wins, while McIlroy has secured four, fueling ongoing debates about their respective skills and achievements.
The rivalry between the two athletes has transcended the realm of sports on multiple occasions. Most notably, on Monday, May 13, news surfaced about McIlroy’s divorce from his wife. Shortly after, Koepka took to Instagram to share heartfelt tributes to his own wife, Jenna Sims.
Nevertheless, Koepka has openly admitted that his rivalry with McIlroy serves as a driving force for him to thrive in the world of golf. In a recent appearance on the popular YouTube show “The Scoop,” he expressed his preference for always choosing the Northern Irishman as his partner if given the chance to play together.
Both McIlroy and Koepka are highly regarded as top contenders in the upcoming PGA Championship. They have both showcased their skills by securing victories in their most recent appearances on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, respectively. While Koepka holds the title of defending champion, McIlroy also has a triumph under his belt at Valhalla in 2014.
#2 Scottie Scheffler vs. Jon Rahm
The competition between Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm in the world of sports has been influenced by Rahm’s move to LIV Golf. Despite Rahm being the favorite to win the PGA Tour Player of The Year award in 2023 with four victories, the honor ultimately went to Scheffler, who also had a remarkable season.
Fast forward to 2024, the performances of the two athletes have taken different paths. Scheffler has emerged victorious four times in his last five competitions, including The Masters, whereas Rahm has yet to secure a win at LIV Golf, despite achieving six top 10 finishes in seven tournaments.
Despite this, Scheffler and Rahm are both top contenders for the PGA Championship, with experts favoring the Texan (originally from New Jersey) as having the highest likelihood of winning.
#3 Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have been engaged in a rivalry that dates back to the early stages of their professional journeys. Despite Woods’ dominance over Mickelson in terms of total victories (110 to 57) and major championships (15 to 6), their ongoing competition has already etched its place in history.
Moreover, these two individuals are not only revered as golfing icons but also embody the essence of their respective tours. Woods stands tall as a prominent figure on the PGA Tour, while Mickelson serves as a prominent voice within the realm of LIV Golf.
That’s why, even though they aren’t considered the top contenders to win the PGA Championship at Valhalla, it’s undeniable that fans will closely track both of them to see who ends up in a higher position.
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