Nelly Korda, Rory McIlroy, PGA Championship thoughts 

Check in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular subjects within the sport, and be 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 Club 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 assume three weeks off might hinder Scheffler’s probabilities?

Ryan Barath, gear editor (@rdsbarath): At this level with Scottie’s recreation, I don’t assume three weeks off, even when it consists of the delivery of your first baby, 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 turned a dad for the primary time, I’d say that’s the kind of factor that may throw off anyone’s golf recreation, even the World No. 1 — however I’m guessing we’ve got completely different childcare setups. It definitely wouldn’t be a shock to see him contend. But we might forgive him if he confirmed up at Valhalla with one thing barely lower than his finest stuff.  

Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): The three weeks off gained’t be a difficulty. The baby, although? Quite probably. Thoughts will likely be elsewhere, understandably so. Then once more, if he wins, days after changing into a brand new father, his legend grows much more. 

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

Barath: Both 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 loads of confidence heading into the PGA Championship. Sure, Scottie wasn’t within the discipline this week, however you’ll be able to solely beat those that are within the discipline. Rory went ballistic on the again 9 whereas Xander stalled, and hopefully this continues for Rory on the PGA.

Dethier: Massive confidence enhance! Nearly each good PGA Tour participant teed it up at Quail Hollow and Xander Schauffele beat all of them like a drum. All of ‘em except for Rory McIlroy, that is, and he proved to have far more offense when it mattered on Sunday. These guys both know winning the week before a major is no guarantee of anything — their most recent individual PGA Tour victories came at the 2023 (McIlroy) and 2022 (Schauffele) Genesis Scottish Invitationals, the week before the Open, which neither won. Still, short of Scheffler, who’s taking part in higher golf?

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

3. One story that dominated the pre-tournament chatter was the standing of Webb Simpson’s seat on the PGA Tour Policy 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 people on the board that were maybe uncomfortable with me coming back on, for some reason,” McIlroy stated. Reading between the strains, why wouldn’t some really feel snug with McIlroy coming again on? Could he assist golf’s division? And, lastly, do you will have any concern 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 complete factor is sorted and accomplished with. Secondly, in relation to individuals being uncomfortable, I consider there’s a large schism between those that are OK with letting a few of the PGA Tour historical past die in order that there can lastly be a real world tour, and those that nonetheless need to maintain the PGA principally structured the way in which that it’s now. Saying that, I feel Rory has made it clear that he’s on the facet of the world tour, and is able to negotiate with the Saudi PIF and convey all the finest 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 quite a bit long term, and for that purpose, if he desires to return again in some capability, he ought to be capable to.

Dethier: As 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 would have been kind of bizarre to reinstate McIlroy on the board after he’d stepped away simply months in the past. But 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? Tough to say with out listening to from the sources. Maybe it’s that McIlroy as soon as left the board and his dedication remains to be questioned. Maybe it’s a state of affairs that Barath describes, the place McIlroy desires a world tour, and others don’t. All good theories. Could he assist golf’s division? You wager — and as Dethier notes, he will likely be, as a part of the transactions committee. (Lots of committees as of late!) The transfer is an effective one, must you need an settlement. McIlroy has beforehand stated he has no less than some kind of relationship with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. Any concern with him rejoining? Maybe a bit of. If it’s so simple as Simpson wanting McIlroy his spot, and McIlroy accepting, I feel that’s OK.  

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

Barath: I hate counting Woods out, however Valhalla may be very lengthy, and the sphere as an entire is quite a bit stronger than the one he confronted on the Masters So with all that factored in, I’d be extra stunned if he makes the reduce, slightly than lacking it. 

Dethier: Better! Stop 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 report. Korda’s outstanding run usually evoked Caitlin Clark comparisons, or no less than the dialog subject of if she might assist elevate girls’s golf like Clark did for ladies’s basketball. But do you assume these comparisons have been honest?

Barath: Women’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 proper funding, one of the best LPGA Tour gamers may very well be simply as recognizable as one of the best PGA Tour gamers, which remains 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 staff, no rival, no built-in fanbase, no March Madness event. I wrote about this earlier this week, however Korda has been proper to level out that each one she will do is maintain taking part in top-tier golf — the type she’s been taking part in — and let any enhance occur naturally.

Piastowski: Points effectively made by my colleagues. The comparability is handy, as we’re additionally within the midst of Clark fever. But it’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 as if she’s doing her half.   

6. Let’s wrap with one ultimate 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 loads 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 together with Rahm. He’s nonetheless trying to find a person win on LIV and he didn’t play that effectively on the Masters. If the PGA isn’t going effectively, we may very well be in for a really offended and pissed off golfer come Friday afternoon.

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