We have officially hit what some would consider the “silly season” portion of the golf schedule. In the remaining weeks of 2023, we will see 20 men compete in the Bahamas at The Hero World Challenge, a PGA and LPGA mixed event making its debut called the Grant Thornton Invitational, and the PNC Championship, which is a team event made up of family duos.
With all of the serious golf done for the 2023 season, and coupling it with the fact that we are less than 150 days away from the first major of 2024 at The Masters, now feels like a great time to make some “way-too-early” major championship predictions for the upcoming 2024 golf season.
AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 08: A flag with an Augusta National logo waves in the breeze during the first round of the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Before I make my predictions, here’s a brief look at the 2024 Major Championship venues:
The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club – This one needs no explaining. Augusta National Golf Club hosts The Masters every year in April and it is typically the most anticipated major of the golf season.
PGA Championship – Valhalla Golf Club – Valhalla will be hosting its first PGA Championship since 2014. 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 – 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 mens U.S. Open.
The Open Championship – Royal Troon Golf Club – 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)
Rory will be my pick every year until he A) finally does it or B) is too old and can’t play anymore. All he has left to complete the career slam is a win at Augusta National. That 2011 collapse seems to always loom large on him every April. However, he’s going to slay that dragon at some point and 2024 will finally be the year.
PGA Championship
Viktor Hovland
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 18: Viktor Hovland of Norway plays his shot from the seventh tee during the final round of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club on June 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
In his last five majors Hovland has 3 top-10’s and has finished no lower than 19th. He closed 2023 on the PGA Tour with back to back wins to claim the FedEx Cup and continues to prove that he is one of the best players on the planet. All that’s left for Hovland is to find major championship glory.
U.S. Open
Rickie Fowler
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 18: Rickie Fowler of the United States lines up a shot out of the rough on the second green during the final round of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club on June 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Time is running out for Rickie to win a major championship. After refinding his form in 2023, it feels like 2024 is the year for him to do it. He held the lead at the 2023 U.S. Open after the first three days, but a final round 75 left him with a T5 finish. With the sour taste in his mouth from last year and returning to Pinehurst, where he finished T2 in 2014, feels like a perfect match for Rickie to win his first major championship.
The Open Championship
Tommy Fleetwood
HOYLAKE, ENGLAND – JULY 23: Tommy Fleetwood of England looks on after teeing off on the 1st hole on Day Four of The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 23, 2023 in Hoylake, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Tommy Fleetwood is yet to win on the PGA Tour, but has won five times on the European Tour. There’s too much talent in his game to not have a major championship victory. In his last four Open Championship appearances he has three top-10 finishes, which means he’s proven he can contend on Europe’s biggest stage. All that’s left for him to do is win on the biggest stage.
