The “Florida Swing” gets underway on the PGA Tour this week, Anthony Kim makes his long awaited return to professional golf on the LIV Tour, and we are only six weeks away from The Masters. That means it’s time to make some major championship predictions for 2024 in golf. I did a piece on “way too early” predictions during the “silly season” of golf, but that list needs an update after seeing what we’ve seen so far in 2024.
Part of the items honoring the career of Tiger Woods at the World Golf Hall of Fame will be the trophies he won when he held the four major championships at the same time following his victory in the 2001 Masters.
Tiger Trophies
Before I make my predictions, here’s a brief look at the 2024 Major Championship venues:
The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia – This one needs no explaining. Augusta National Golf Club hosts The Masters every year in April (except for a few early years and in 2020 when it was hosted in November due to COVID) and it is typically the most anticipated major of the golf season.
PGA Championship – Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky – Valhalla will be hosting its first PGA Championship since 2014 when Rory McIlroy came out on top. This will be the fourth time in its history that golfers will compete for the Wanamaker Trophy at Valhalla.
U.S. Open – Pinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst, North Carolina – Much like Valhalla, Pinehurst No. 2 will be hosting their first major championship since 2014 when they hosted the U.S. Open. This will be the fourth time it has hosted the men’s U.S. Open.
The Open Championship – Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland – This will be the first time Royal Troon has hosted The Open since 2016. It’ll be the 10th time overall that Troon hosts for a chance to win the Claret Jug.
The Masters
Rory McIlroy
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 07: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and caddie Harry Diamond walk up the 18th green during the second round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 07, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
I chose Rory back in November and I’m sticking with it here. I will choose Rory every year until he wins it. Also, I think Talor Gooch’s comments about there being an asterisk next to Rory’s name if he gets it done in 2024 will motivate McIlroy to finally get over the hump at Augusta.
PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 18: Scottie Scheffler of the United States reacts to his putt on the eighth green during the final round of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2024 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
I originally went with Viktor Hovland at the PGA Championship following his terrific close to the 2023 season. But early on in 2024 Hovland hasn’t contended in any tournament he’s appeared. I’m pivoting to Scheffler here because at some point the putts will start falling for him. On the PGA Tour in 2024, Scheffler is ranked 138th in strokes gained putting and his lowest finish in a T17! He’s firing on all cylinders outside of putting. Once that starts to improve, it’ll start looking like early 2022 for Scheffler.
U.S. Open
Justin Thomas
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 16: Justin Thomas of the United States looks on from the eighth green during the first round of the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Rickie Fowler was my original pick to win the 2024 U.S. Open, but he has been a non-factor since his win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in early July. So I’m pivoting to one of his close friends who was a non-factor basically the entirety of 2023, Justin Thomas. JT took his bad 2023 to heart and worked hard this offseason to get himself back into form. With the exception of a missed cut in his most recent start at the Genesis Invitational, Thomas has finished no lower than T12 and has two top-6 finishes in 2024. He’s got the major pedigree, having won the PGA Championship twice. I expect Thomas to find the winners circle in 2024 and adding another major to his resume.
The Open
Brooks Koepka
BROKEN ARROW, OKLAHOMA – MAY 13: Brooks Koepka of Smash GC hits a tee shot on the 6th hole during Day Two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Tulsa at Cedar Ridge Country Club on May 13, 2023 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Making a major prediction piece and not including Brooks Koepka was a mistake by me. Any time Brooks is healthy he should be considered a threat to win a major championship. The only stat that matters with Koepka in majors is his win….and he’s got five. The five-time champ is still lacking a Green Jacket and Claret Jug, which means he’ll check something off the list this season by winning his first Claret Jug.
