Welcome to GOLF.com’s “Seen & Heard” video series, in which we give you an inside look at golf’s biggest events through the eyes and ears of our onsite crew. On deck this week: the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Let’s go!
ICYMI: Jon Rahm’s PGA Tour flirtation, PGA arrivals | Seen and Heard at Valhalla Days 1 & 2
Major championship Wednesdays tend to be full of speculation. Players parade through the media center, and everyone wonders who will end up separating themselves over the coming days.
The GOLF crew thought it would be fun to offer up a vibe check as we head into the first round of the year’s second major. Who’s displaying some good vibes? Scottie Scheffler, who is so confident about his prospects that he’s already lined up a backup caddie for Saturday’s round so his regular looper, Ted Scott, can attend his daughter’s high school graduation.
Bad vibes? Jordan Spieth, whose press conference earlier this week featured a bit of rare snippiness from the usually affable Texan.
Then there’s Rory McIlroy. The shocking news of his divorce is top of mind for many observers, but it’s a topic that is also intensely personal, and sensitive, and McIlroy is staying mum for the moment. But he did offer this: “I’m ready to play this week.”
Another tournament favorite who seems ready: defending PGA Champ Brooks Koepka. GOLF’s Sean Zak noted that the five-time major winner is one of the only favorites in the field who doesn’t appear to be playing with any distracting baggage this week.
“What Brooks is being asked about is just the golf,” Zak said. “Everyone is kind of working their way through something, and very quietly, and somehow, the defending champion has got the most narrow, most obvious path.”
Favorites aside, stories abound at the PGA. Adam Christensen handles golf’s social media accounts, and at his first major championship, he only had eyes for Tiger. Nick Piastowski was intrigued by 61-year-old club pro qualifier Tracy Phillips, who once put his clubs away for 20 years.
The last man on the range on Wednesday? Viktor Hovland, who was grinding with his driver.
Hovland’s prospects — and those of the rest of the field — are yet to be revealed. That’s the magic of Wednesday: the hope and anticipation of the tournament’s start. Thursday? It’s go time.
To catch up on all the GOLF team’s activities at Valhalla, check out the full video above — and stay tuned for more Seen & Heard throughout the week.
