Scottie Scheffler: PGA Championship 2024 Hopes and New Fatherhood Joys at Valhalla
LOUISVILLE, KY – Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion, is not just arriving at the PGA Championship with his professional prowess but also with the fresh joys of fatherhood. The World No. 1 golfer and a favorite for the PGA title, Scheffler missed last week’s Wells Fargo Championship for an exceptionally joyful reason: the birth of his first child, a son named Bennett, born on May 8.
Returning to the greens, Scheffler was seen early Monday afternoon at Valhalla Golf Club’s practice facilities, where fellow players greeted him with hearty congratulations. His schedule includes a media talk set for Tuesday, where he’s expected to share more about his new role as a dad and his preparation for the Championship.
Scheffler’s professional momentum is as noteworthy as his personal milestones. He enters the PGA Championship having won four of his last five tournaments, including a historic repeat at the Players Championship and another Masters title. His performance at these recent events, coupled with wins at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and RBC Heritage, solidifies his top-seed status.
In previous PGA Championships, Scheffler has shown strong performances with three top-10 finishes in four starts, including a second place just behind Brooks Koepka last year. This year, he’s gunning to become the first player since Jordan Spieth in 2015—and only the fifth since 1960—to win the first two majors of the year.
The competition is stiff with Rory McIlroy coming off two straight wins and Brooks Koepka fresh from a victory at LIV Golf Singapore. Both are past performers at Valhalla, with McIlroy last winning a major here in 2014 and Koepka joining the PGA Tour shortly after.
Despite the challenges and sleep likely shortened by daddy duties, Scheffler remains the betting favorite, showcasing resilience and focus. Seen practicing with his swing coach Randy Smith and putting coach Phil Kenyon, and later teeing up with fellow new dad Sam Burns, Scheffler is determined to balance his personal joy and professional ambitions at this year’s PGA Championship. As he steps onto the course, it’s clear that Scottie Scheffler’s year is marked by significant beginnings—both at home and on the leaderboard.