The second major of 2024 is now just around the corner as the world’s best descend on Valhalla for the PGA Championship.
The battle for the Wanamaker trophy is typically dubbed the ‘hardest field in golf’, meaning whoever lifts the title in Louisville will have very much earned it.
Brooks Koepka, after making LIV Golf history in Singapore, is likely to be Scottie Scheffler’s main competition. The five-time major champion looked back to his best at Sentosa and appears to be peaking at the right time.
Thanks to late invitations, Koepka will be joined by several LIV Golf stars, including Patrick Reed and Talor Gooch. It appears the PGA has taken note of what’s been occurring on the breakaway tour, something that needed to happen.
Looking ahead to the competition at Valhalla, The Golfing Gazette has named the ten longest drivers who are set to tee it up at the year’s second major.
Ten biggest hitters set to face off at the PGA Championship
Coming in at 7305 yards, the 2008 Ryder Cup venue isn’t a brute but could undoubtedly favour some of the game’s bigger hitters.
In descending order, here are the ten players who have the longest drive – on average – who are set to compete at Valhalla [stats from PGA Tour, LIV, and DP World Tour websites].
10. Alejandro Tosti – 312.1
Argentinian Alejandro Tosti hasn’t had the best time of late after missing the cut at the Zurich Classic and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old has racked up an impressive driving average of 312.2 yards.
9. Wyndham Clark – 312.2
2023 U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark could threaten at Valhalla and is amongst the top ten when it comes to driving distance. Pipping Tosti to ninth spot with 312.2.
8. Byeong Hun An – 312.5
Byeong Hun An heads to Louisville in good form, having made four top tens in 2024. The South Korean is also amongst the biggest hitters, having racked up a driving average of 312.5.
7. Jon Rahm – 312.9
The first LIV Golf representative comes from 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm. The Spaniard has always been known for his impressive work off the tee and has impressed in his first few months on the breakaway league. 312.9 yards for the 29-year-old.
6. David Puig – 313
David Puig received a late invite to the PGA Championship and is also among LIV Golf’s biggest hitters. Rahm’s compatriot has racked up an average driving distance of 313 yards in 2024.
5. Dean Burmester – 313.4
Much like Puig, Dean Burmester also received an invitation on Tuesday. The 34-year-old LIV Golf star will also be one of the longest drivers to tee it up at Valhalla with an average of 313.4.
4. Rory McIlroy – 314.2
The highest PGA Tour representative at Valhalla, Rory McIlroy, will be hoping to repeat his 2024 heroics at a course he knows well.
The Northern Irishman is the third biggest hitter on the PGA Tour and is the fourth longest present at this year’s tournament with an average of 314.2 yards.
3. Joequin Niemann – 317.4
Diminutive Chilean Joaquin Niemann can undoubtedly launch the ball a long way. The 25-year-old has had an excellent season on the breakaway tour and comes in a commendable third place on 317.4 yards.
2. Bryson DeChambeau – 318.9
It should come as no surprise to see Bryson DeChambeau near the top of the leaderboard. The big-hitting American will be hoping to improve on his top-ten finish at The Masters.
It was a good outing at Augusta, but the 30-year-old will no doubt be disappointed with how he faded out of contention over the weekend. 318.9 yards for the LIV star.
1. Jesper Svensson – 326.3
The only DP World Tour representative comes in the form of Jesper Svensson, who takes the number one spot. The Swede has racked up a mammoth driving average of 326.34 yards this season. A figure that will no doubt frustrate DeChambeau, who will have to make do with second spot.
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