Nelly Korda, Rory McIlroy, PGA Championship ideas 

Test in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked matters within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we focus on Scottie Scheffler’s, Rory McIlroy’s and Tiger Woods’ probabilities at this week’s PGA Championship, Nelly Korda and extra.

1. The 2024 PGA Championship begins on Thursday at Valhalla Golf Membership in Louisville, Ky., the place Scottie Scheffler would be the betting favourite and Brooks Koepka will defend his title. (There’s no phrase but if Scheffler’s child was born, however he’s on the interview schedule for Tuesday.) Any purpose to suppose three weeks off may hinder Scheffler’s probabilities?

Ryan Barath, tools editor (@rdsbarath): At this level with Scottie’s recreation, I don’t suppose three weeks off, even when it consists of the delivery of your first little one, will do any hurt to his golf recreation. If he can come out and win the RBC Heritage the week after profitable the Masters, and cope with the whirlwind whiplash from that, I feel he’s going to return out able to go at Valhalla.

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): As somebody who simply grew to become a dad for the primary time, I might say that’s the kind of factor that may throw off anyone’s golf recreation, even the World No. 1 — however I’m guessing now we have totally different childcare setups. It actually wouldn’t be a shock to see him contend. However we may forgive him if he confirmed up at Valhalla with one thing barely lower than his greatest stuff.  

Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): The three weeks off received’t be a difficulty. The kid, although? Fairly probably. Ideas can be elsewhere, understandably so. Then once more, if he wins, days after turning into a brand new father, his legend grows much more. 

2. Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele battled it out within the remaining spherical of the Wells Fargo Championship, with McIlroy profitable by 5 pictures after a formidable six-under 65. A very good confidence increase (for each) with the PGA Championship up subsequent, or not fairly so with the World No. 1 not at Quail Hole?

Barath: Each gamers separated themselves this week on an extended and agency golf course, and it will be laborious to not come away from this occasion with out a number of confidence heading into the PGA Championship. Certain, Scottie wasn’t within the subject this week, however you possibly can solely beat those that are within the subject. Rory went ballistic on the again 9 whereas Xander stalled, and hopefully this continues for Rory on the PGA.

Dethier: Huge confidence increase! Practically each good PGA Tour participant teed it up at Quail Hole and Xander Schauffele beat all of them like a drum. All of ‘em apart from Rory McIlroy, that’s, and he proved to have much more offense when it mattered on Sunday. These guys each know profitable the week earlier than a significant isn’t any assure of something — their most up-to-date particular person PGA Tour victories got here on the 2023 (McIlroy) and 2022 (Schauffele) Genesis Scottish Invitationals, the week earlier than the Open, which neither received. Nonetheless, wanting Scheffler, who’s enjoying higher golf?

Piastowski: Very a lot so, particularly for McIlroy, the World No. 2. All the things seemingly clicked, towards 67 of the PGA Tour’s greatest, on a course that subsequent yr will host the PGA. However I’m additionally questioning concerning the Zurich and his win with pal Shane Lowry. McIlroy talked this week of being freed up now. That may imply a number of various things. However possibly that is the consequence for McIlroy. And yeah, there are good vibes at Valhalla, the place he final received a significant.  

3. One story that dominated the pre-tournament chatter was the standing of Webb Simpson’s seat on the PGA Tour Coverage Board. Simpson beforehand tried to step down, however provided that McIlroy would take his spot. That, nevertheless, didn’t occur, and Simpson is serving the rest of his time period. “There was a subset of individuals on the board that have been possibly uncomfortable with me coming again on, for some purpose,” McIlroy mentioned. Studying between the traces, why wouldn’t some really feel snug with McIlroy coming again on? Might he assist golf’s division? And, lastly, do you’ve got any situation with him rejoining after he resigned his spot months in the past?

Barath: A few issues right here. First off, at the same time as somebody who pays shut consideration to the boys’s skilled recreation, all of that is simply an absolute slog, and at this level, I simply need somebody to wake me up as soon as this entire factor is sorted and accomplished with. Secondly, on the subject of folks being uncomfortable, I consider there’s a huge schism between those that are OK with letting among the PGA Tour historical past die in order that there can lastly be a real world tour, and people who nonetheless need to hold the PGA principally structured the best way that it’s now. Saying that, I feel Rory has made it clear that he’s on the aspect of the world tour, and is able to negotiate with the Saudi PIF and produce all the greatest gamers again collectively, whereas others aren’t fairly able to lose out on their share if that occurs. As for coming again, Rory seems to be considering so much long term, and for that purpose, if he desires to return again in some capability, he ought to have the ability to.

Dethier: Because it seems, although, McIlroy is a member — albeit a non-voting member — of the transactions subcommittee, which [pause for yawn] is definitely doing the significant negotiating with the Saudis. It might have been kind of bizarre to reinstate McIlroy on the board after he’d stepped away simply months in the past. However he nonetheless appears a key determine within the course of. 

Piastowski: Bunch of sunshine questions right here! Let’s attempt to reply ’em, although. The uncomfortability? Powerful to say with out listening to from the sources. Perhaps it’s that McIlroy as soon as left the board and his dedication continues to be questioned. Perhaps it’s a scenario that Barath describes, the place McIlroy desires a world tour, and others don’t. All good theories. Might he assist golf’s division? You guess — and as Dethier notes, he can be, as a part of the transactions committee. (Numerous committees nowadays!) The transfer is an effective one, do you have to need an settlement. McIlroy has beforehand mentioned he has a minimum of some kind of relationship with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Funding Fund. Any situation with him rejoining? Perhaps just a little. If it’s so simple as Simpson wanting McIlroy his spot, and McIlroy accepting, I feel that’s OK.  

4. The PGA can even be the primary time we see Tiger Woods since he completed sixtieth on the Masters, and he’s returning to a course he received the PGA on in 2000. Does Woods end higher or worse than he did at Augusta?

Barath: I hate counting Woods out, however Valhalla could be very lengthy, and the sector as a complete is so much stronger than the one he confronted on the Masters So with all that factored in, I might be extra stunned if he makes the reduce, quite than lacking it. 

Dethier: Higher! Cease doubting this man.

Piastowski: I’ll go within the center. Worse than the Masters, however solely barely and he makes the reduce. The temps appear good — for the followers, for achy joints. 

5. Nelly Korda tied for seventh on the Cognizant Founders Cup — Rose Zhang edged Madelene Sagstrom to win — to finish her streak of consecutive wins at 5, which tied the all-time document. Korda’s outstanding run usually evoked Caitlin Clark comparisons, or a minimum of the dialog subject of if she may assist elevate ladies’s golf like Clark did for ladies’s basketball. However do you suppose these comparisons have been truthful?

Barath: Girls’s golf wants extra mainstream protection if it desires to interrupt additional into the final sports activities panorama, and sadly it nonetheless will get second billing to issues just like the PGA Tour Champions circuit. I feel with the precise funding, the very best LPGA Tour gamers could possibly be simply as recognizable as the very best PGA Tour gamers, which continues to be miles behind different sports activities just like the NBA.

Dethier: I feel the Caitlin Clark comps are effectively intentioned however misinformed. Korda has no workforce, no rival, no built-in fanbase, no March Insanity event. I wrote about this earlier this week, however Korda has been proper to level out that every one she will do is hold enjoying top-tier golf — the type she’s been enjoying — and let any increase occur naturally.

Piastowski: Factors effectively made by my colleagues. The comparability is handy, as we’re additionally within the midst of Clark fever. But it surely’s on the shoulders of Korda’s tour, and the broadcasters of Korda’s tour, and the advertisers of Korda and Korda’s tour to get her title on the market — as a result of it positive looks like she’s doing her half.   

6. Let’s wrap with one remaining PGA preview query. What’s a juicy storyline nobody is speaking about proper now?

Dethier: Jordan Spieth appears injured and out of kinds — however he’s nonetheless going for the profession grand slam! Don’t fear, although, 9 good holes on Thursday and also you’ll hear lots about this.

Barath: Wow, even I forgot about Spieth’s profession grand slam probability right here till you talked about it, Dylan, however I’m gonna go along with Rahm. He’s nonetheless looking for a person win on LIV and he didn’t play that effectively on the Masters. If the PGA isn’t going effectively, we could possibly be in for a really indignant and pissed off golfer come Friday afternoon.

Piastowski: This can get some run in the course of the week, however membership professional Tracy Phillips can be making his PGA Championship debut on the age of 61. However his story will get higher. He as soon as stop golf for 20 years, earlier than being drawn again. Wild.