The world’s best golfers are heading to Bethpage Black this week for the second major of the season – the PGA Championship.

Ninety-nine of the top 100 players in the rankings will be teeing it up in New York – world No.5 Justin Thomas the lone exception as he misses out with a wrist injury – and there is a real chance of a first English major winner in three years being crowned.

Your next opportunity to see the best golfers on the planet in a major on English soil will come at Royal St George’s in July 2020 for The 149th Open and registration for tickets is now open – Register here

Not only can you be among the first to buy tickets but by registering your interest, you’ll also be entered into a free prize draw which could see you and three friends sample THE most premium hospitality experience available at The Open on Saturday 18 July 2020.

The prize pot has a value of over £5k and you can find full details here.

But before that, the world’s best will be trying to join Tiger Woods as a 2019 major winner and there are plenty of contenders to win the PGA Championship this week.

Think of England

There are 12 Englishmen in the field at Bethpage Black and perhaps the most likely winner is Justin Rose.

Rose is already a major champion thanks to his 2013 US Open success, as well as a former world No.1 and Olympic gold medallist, although he suffered disappointment at the Masters when he missed the cut.

The 38-year-old admits he got his preparation wrong in the build-up to Augusta – taking the whole of February off and then not having enough time to get his sharpness back – but has learned the lesson and a third-place finish in his final event before the PGA shows some form.

At 7,432 yards, the course at Bethpage looks set up for the longer hitters – something that will be music to Paul Casey’s ears.

His long, straight driving will be a major help here and a win, two second, third and a fourth place from 11 starts this season show he’s a man more than capable of being in contention.

It feels like only a matter of time before Tommy Fleetwood claims a major – and three of the last four PGA winners have been first-time major champions – while Eddie Pepperell has improved massively over the past 18 months and talented youngsters such as Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick are unafraid of the big stage.

Throw in Ian Poulter, the highest-placed Englishman at the Masters and one of the best putters on the planet, and the chances of an English winner look bright.

The Tiger Factor

Perhaps the man who enters this week as favourite is Tiger Woods, now a 15-time major winner after his memorable and emotional success at the Masters.

That victory was a sporting comeback story for the ages and after the way he dominated golf in the early-to-mid 2000s, he still has an aura that can intimidate opponents.

Woods hasn’t played competitively since Augusta but at 43 years old and with a surgically-repaired back, he needs to manage his schedule carefully.

A confident Tiger is a dangerous Tiger but moving the PGA from September to May this year may work against the veteran, with the cold and windy conditions forecast in New York potentially not suiting him.

But he is a three-time Champion Golfer of the Year and after those scenes at the Masters, Woods has earned his tag as favourite and it wouldn’t be a shock at all to see him lifting a 16th major title come Sunday.

Best of the rest

The depth of talent in golf is perhaps the greatest it has ever been and up to 50 men, maybe more, could make a convincing argument that they are in position to become a major champion this week.

Brooks Koepka has won three of the last seven majors he’s competed in and finished second, sixth and 13th at three of the others – a truly remarkable record that make the world No.3 one of the outright favourites.

Rory McIlroy’s last major victory was at this tournament in 2014 but it’s surely only a matter of time before the Northern Irishman wins a fifth major and the course and conditions should suit him.

Jason Day won the 2015 PGA Championship and, barring the injuries which seem to befall him at inopportune moments, looks to have the game to conquer Bethpage, while reigning Champion Golfer of the Year Francesco Molinari wasn’t far away from winning the Masters last month.

A slew of other Americans such as world No.1 Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau are consistent major contenders, while big-hitting Spaniard Jon Rahm should thrive.

  • All in all, it promises to be a fascinating week and if it whets you’re appetite for world-class golf then head to TheOpen.com to register your interest in tickets for The 149th Open at Royal St George’s in 2020.