While Straka’s start to the season was initially bumpy, the 31-year-old’s form has been showing a strong upward trend since April. This can also be seen in the result lists. The world number 21 ended up at the Masters. in 16th place, followed by places five, eleven and eight on the PGA Tour. Numerous golf portals have the ÖGV star, who lives in the USA, on their list as a tip for a top ten place.
In 2023, Straka finished the PGA Championship in seventh place in the world class, and the two-time tour winner wants to repeat that in his fourth appearance. He starts on Thursday with the tenth hole, in a flight with the Japanese Takumi Kanaya and the Canadian Nick Taylor. Straka will also be tested for weather resistance; thunderstorms and lots of rain are forecast for Friday and Saturday.
Young dad Scheffler as the favorite
Scheffler is currently playing, unimpressed by the circumstances. The Texan has holed four wins in his last five PGA starts, including his second Masters triumph in mid-April. The world number one is considered the first contender for the Wanamaker Trophy, which he narrowly missed out on last year when he finished second. He tees off in the first two rounds with two other current major winners – Wyndham Clark (US Open) and Brian Harman (British Open).
APA/AFP/Getty Images/Andrew Redington Scottie Scheffler tees off after fatherly joys in Louisville, Kentucky
Scheffler traveled to Kentucky as a new father after his son Bennett was born on Wednesday last week. “It wasn’t easy leaving the house on Monday morning,” said the 27-year-old, who also reflected on his life through the children. “I married my high school sweetheart and always wanted to play professional golf, and now I’m here. I sat there with a newborn in my arms and the green Masters jacket in the closet.”
McIlroy is considered the first challenger to Scheffler, who never played above the course standard (par) in all of his 39 PGA rounds this year. The 35-year-old, who celebrated his last major victory in Valhalla ten years ago, returns to Louisville in top form after two tournament victories. “I’ve won there before. “It feels like the stars are a little aligned,” the 35-year-old gave an insight into his own golf cosmos. Defending champion Brooks Koepka is also in good shape; the American recently triumphed at the LIV series in Singapore.
Woods is also at the start
Crowd-puller Tiger Woods will also be at the start. Despite his physical problems, the 48-year-old believes major title number 16 is realistic. “I can still throw punches,” said the Californian, but the necessary recovery phases are getting longer and longer. For Woods too, Scheffler is currently the measure of all things golf. “If he putst badly, he’ll finish in the top ten. If he putts properly, he wins. And when he putst great, he blows everything into the ground. He’s just a great golfer.”
