10 Players to Watch at The 2023 PGA Championship

It's time for the second major of the year as the PGA Championship returns to the revered Oak Hill, one of the most acclaimed venues in the United States. 

Always competitive and fascinating, who do you think will triumph? Having first picked out several notable outsiders, Golfshake's Derek Clements has some names for you to watch.

Jon Rahm

It is difficult to see past the Spaniard, who is enjoying a sensational season and seems to contend every single time he tees it up. If he does manage to win here he will only need The Open to complete the full set of majors. And who would bet against him?

Scottie Scheffler

Smarting from being ousted as world number one by Rahm, Scheffler is having almost as good a season as the Spaniard. He possesses every shot in the book and is blessed with a wonderful temperament. And he thrives on brutal golf courses.

Tyrrell Hatton

If he can keep his cool the Englishman could do really well here. He is enjoying another excellent season and the American fans just love his idiosyncrasies. Needs to accept that there are going to be some bad breaks along the way.

Sahith Theegala

A gifted American who has yet to win his first title on the PGA Tour. But he has come close on several occasions and it would hardly be a big surprise if he were to be the man who hoists aloft the Wannamaker Trophy on Sunday.

Viktor Hovland

Luke Donald will be keeping a close eye on the Norwegian, who is certain to be a key member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team. Is having a comparatively quiet season by his own high standards but is due a victory. And what better place to achieve it?

Tommy Fleetwood

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Fleetwood spent a couple of years struggling with his game but he has rediscovered his best form, winning the Nedbank Challenge in November. He has continued that excellent form with a number of good finishes on the PGA Tour in 2023 but is still looking for that elusive win on American soil.

Xander Schauffele

Probably holds the dubious title of being the best player in the world who is yet to win a major, but he must surely put that right at some stage. The Olympic champion rediscovered the winning touch in 2022 and will be determined to make a run at this title.

Brooks Koepka

A two-time champion, Koepka has struggled with knee injuries. He defected to LIV Golf in 2022 and his form was pretty ordinary until he arrived at Augusta for The Masters in April. Finally fit again, he gave Jon Rahm a run for his money before running out of steam on the back nine.

Cameron Young

Fabulously gifted young American, and another who has yet to win a tournament. He was the 2022 rookie of the year after a series of wonderful finishes, including finishing runner-up to Cameron Smith at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.

Rory McIlroy

Which Rory is going to turn up this week? Will it be the thrilling entertainer who smashes it 320 yards in the middle of the fairway, rifles it to three feet and makes birdies for fun? Or will it be the man we saw at The Masters?