The PGA Championship returns to Valhalla next week for the first time in ten years, and excitement is certainly building ahead of the year’s second major.
Typically billed as the ‘toughest field in gold’, the renewal in Louisville promises to be of the highest order.
Scottie Scheffler, of course, is the overwhelming favourite, having sealed his second green jacket at Augusta at the start of April.
LIV Golf stars Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm will also fancy their chances of upsetting the PGA Tour applecart.
It promises to be an intriguing watch at the 2008 Ryder Cup track, and here, The Golfing Gazette has taken a look at three iconic moments that have occurred at Valhalla.
1. Tiger Woods walks in a famous putt in 2000
Arguably one of Tiger’s most memorable moments, and he’s had several.
Woods and Bob May were on the first playoff hole during the 2000 PGA Championship. May had just made an excellent up and down, leaving the 15-time major champion with a lengthy putt to gain control of the playoff.
The now-48-year-old took the stroke and chased down the ball when it was three feet from the hole. He knew where its final destination was and ultimately produced a celebration that would go down in Valhalla’s history.
2. Rory McIlroy wins it in the dark
It’s hard to believe, but Valhalla was the scene of Rory McIlroy’s last major championship triumph back in 2014.
There’s no doubt the PGA Tour star will be desperate to end his long wait for his fifth title next week.
McIlroy’s victory ten years ago wasn’t short of drama. On the 72nd hole, the penultimate grouping of Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson were told that McIlroy and Bernd Weisberger would be hitting their tee shots in a bid to escape the impending weather and darkness.
With both groups playing the hole at the same time, Mickelson nearly chipped in for an eagle, which would’ve forced a playoff, which would’ve taken place the next day.
McIlroy’s victory will live long in the memory of those who could still see it!
3. Jack Nicklaus’ PGA Championship farewell
18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus bid the PGA Championship a fond farewell in the year 2000, and he did so in style.
The 60-year-old hit a pitching wedge to inside three feet to end his PGA Championship career with a birdie.
Woods, who would lift the title days later, was waiting by the 18th green for the five-time PGA Championship winner.
Sadly, Nicklaus’ effort on the par-five 18th wasn’t enough to make the cut, missing out by just one shot.
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