RIATH AL-SAMARRAI pulls out his Oak Hill clues: Jon Rahm could be ready for another shootout with Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood can tame the demanding course… and watch out for the LIV Rebels at US PGA Championship
- Rahm tops the world rankings after four wins from 11 events in 2023
- Scheffler, world No. 2, won the prestigious Players Championship at Sawgrass
- LIV rebels Johnson, Koepka and Smith took their chance this week
Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler battle for favoritism leading up to the 105th US PGA Championship at Oak Hill.
Rahm tops the world rankings after four wins from 11 events in 2023, including succeeding Scheffler as Masters champion after claiming his second major title at Augusta National.
Scheffler made a successful title defense in the WM Phoenix Open and also won the prestigious Players Championship at Sawgrass, leaving him just behind Rahm in the standings but two full points ahead of Rory McIlroy in third.
But LIV rebels Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith will take their chance after they get back into shape.
Mail Sport’s RIATH AL-SAMARRAI picks up his Oak Hill hands.
Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler battle for favoritism ahead of the US PGA Championship
The favorite
Jon Rahm. The Masters champion has four wins this year but will have to ride like he did in Augusta to avoid the penalty. Another shootout with Scottie Scheffler is easily foreseen, who has not finished lower than 12th in 12 starts since November.
Every road punt
Tommy Fleetwood. A top five last week at Quail Hollow and his tee-to-green play is excellent, which is essential on such a tight, demanding course.
Rory factor
You’d never write him off, but his form has slipped in recent months and he’s been remarkably subdued this week.
The Rebel Alliance
Dustin Johnson comes in well after his win in Tulsa over the weekend. Just like Cameron Smith, the Open champion, and Brooks Koepka, who came so close at the Masters.
The monster
The most difficult hole on the East Course at Oak Hill is the par-four sixth of 503 yards
The East Course at Oak Hill has the potential to be an unforgiving challenge, with thick rough and narrow fairways, which have been a diabolical combination so far this week when combined with the windy and cold conditions.
Robert MacIntyre described it as a ‘monster’ and the hardest course he has played.
The most difficult hole on the course is the par-four sixth of 503 yards. It has a slight dogleg with fairway bunkers to the left and Allen Creek running to the right, meandering across the fairway and then left of the green.
A controversial in-course out-of-bounds to the right discourages corner cutting.