This article is part of our Major Power Rankings series.
Below are our 2015 PGA Championship rankings. This list is geared toward winner-take-all leagues and leagues that reward the lowest aggregate score, but it can serve other leagues as well, no matter the nuances. Check the comments section for golfers who are scratched.
FAVORITES
FAVORITES
| 1. Jordan Spieth Note: One stroke away from a chance at the grand slam, Spieth is at the height of his game. |
| 2. Rory McIlroy Note: Will give it a go after missing nearly two months due to an ankle injury. A front-runner despite the lack of recent play. |
| 3. Dustin Johnson Note: Looking to overcome his major disappointments to win his first major. Nearly won in 2010 PGA at Whistling Straits and great course fit. |
| 4. Jason Day Note: Trending Aussie earned fourth career win last month at the RBC Canadian Open and owns top-10s the last two major championships. |
| 5. Bubba Watson Note: Lost in playoff at 2010 PGA Championship to Martin Kaymer. Playing well this year and great chance for third major. |
| 6. Justin Rose Note: In great form and among the elite players in the field, Rose has five top-10s in majors the last four years including his 2013 U.S. Open win. |
| 7. Rickie Fowler Note: Won 2015 Players and Scottish Open; in great form after nearly winning again at the Quicken Loans Invitational two weeks ago. |
| 8. Adam Scott Note: Elite Aussie talent will have last opportunity to win a major with the long putter; top-15s at last four PGA Championships. |
Below are our 2015 PGA Championship rankings. This list is geared toward winner-take-all leagues and leagues that reward the lowest aggregate score, but it can serve other leagues as well, no matter the nuances. Check the comments section for golfers who are scratched.
FAVORITES
CONTENDERS
IN THE HUNT
NEED A FEW BREAKS
LONG SHOTS
FAVORITES
| 1. Jordan Spieth Note: One stroke away from a chance at the grand slam, Spieth is at the height of his game. |
| 2. Rory McIlroy Note: Will give it a go after missing nearly two months due to an ankle injury. A front-runner despite the lack of recent play. |
| 3. Dustin Johnson Note: Looking to overcome his major disappointments to win his first major. Nearly won in 2010 PGA at Whistling Straits and great course fit. |
| 4. Jason Day Note: Trending Aussie earned fourth career win last month at the RBC Canadian Open and owns top-10s the last two major championships. |
| 5. Bubba Watson Note: Lost in playoff at 2010 PGA Championship to Martin Kaymer. Playing well this year and great chance for third major. |
| 6. Justin Rose Note: In great form and among the elite players in the field, Rose has five top-10s in majors the last four years including his 2013 U.S. Open win. |
| 7. Rickie Fowler Note: Won 2015 Players and Scottish Open; in great form after nearly winning again at the Quicken Loans Invitational two weeks ago. |
| 8. Adam Scott Note: Elite Aussie talent will have last opportunity to win a major with the long putter; top-15s at last four PGA Championships. |
| 9. Henrik Stenson Note: Swede finished third in last two PGA Championships, but has yet to claim a major; enters in mediocre form. |
| 10. Louis Oosthuizen Note: One-time major champ nearly won 2015 U.S. Open and Open Championships the last two months. |
| 11. Jim Furyk Note: Yet again blew a 54-hole lead at last week's WGC-Bridgestone, but an experienced grinder who has top-5s in last two PGA Championships. |
| 12. Sergio Garcia Note: Elite ballstriker missed both cuts at Whistling Staits, but playing well again with three top-20 in majors this year. Still seeking first major. |
| 13. Zach Johnson Note: Coming off a huge win at St. Andrews last month, Johnson is not long but has a great history at Whistling Straits and is primed to do well again. |
| 14. Martin Kaymer Note: Defending champ at Whistling Straits, the two-time major champ comes in underrated but enters on a recent T12 at the Open last month. |
CONTENDERS
| 15. Brooks Koepka Note: Crazy long hitter with plenty of game to back it up, Koepka has made his last six major cuts including two top-10 efforts. |
| 16. Hideki Matsuyama Note: Strong tee-to-green player who fits the course well already has three major top-10s at the age of 23. |
| 17. Phil Mickelson Note: Lefty nearly won the PGA last year, ceding late to Rory McIlroy, but is now 45 years old and running out of time to win majors. |
| 18. Tiger Woods Note: Playing better recently, but has missed last two cuts at majors by a wide margin. |
| 19. Matt Kuchar Note: Was 36-hole leader at Whistling Straits back in 2010. Only thing left to win is a major for the ultra consistent Kuchar. |
| 20. Shane Lowry Note: Irishman has notched two top-10s in majors the past year but has also missed two cuts. |
| 21. Patrick Reed Note: Youngster has four PGA Tour wins the past two years, his biggest the WGC-Cadillac in 2014. Best major finish is T14 at this year's U.S. Open. |
| 22. Brandt Snedeker Note: Nice run of golf prior to missing the cut at the Open Championship, Snedeker still seeking first major. |
| 23. Paul Casey Note: Trending Englishman has yet to win in a revival year but has multiple runner-ups and high-profile finishes this season. Tied for 12th at 2010 PGA. |
| 24. Charl Schwartzel Note: Under the radar ballstriker who has just one win on PGA Tour but 13 top-25s in majors since 2010. |
| 25. Jimmy Walker Note: Breakout player in 2014 and has continued great play this season. Missed cut in 2010 PGA but would be surprised if he did again. |
| 26. Branden Grace Note: One mulligan away from a potential U.S. Open win, Grace is playing well in big events this season and may be a sleeper at Whistling Straits. |
| 27. Keegan Bradley Note: 2011 PGA champion is a great driver of the ball and owns three top-20s at the PGA Championship in four starts. |
| 28. Billy Horschel Note: Reigning FedEx Cup champ is playing solid but not up to expectation this season. Good bet to make the cut but not among the contenders. |
| 29. Danny Lee Note: Won The Greenbrier a few weeks back and entering his first PGA Championship in great form. |
| 30. Robert Streb Note: Lost The Greenbrier in playoff after putting with wedge on back nine; Has made last two cuts in majors including T18 at Open last month. |
| 31. Danny Willett Note: Top-10 at the Open Championship and good showing at WGC events this year. Solid sleeper candidate. |
| 32. J.B. Holmes Note: Very long and posted a top-25 in the 2010 PGA, Holmes is capable of contending but battles consistency at times. |
| 33. Kevin Kisner Note: Hottest player on tour in the late spring, early summer, Kisner is determined to make a major splash in his breakout year. |
| 34. Marc Leishman Note: Lost in playoff at St. Andrews after 64-66 on weekend; in solid form since rebounding from his wife's illness in April. |
IN THE HUNT
| 35. Justin Thomas Note: Trending young gun is long and converts plenty of birdies. Playing in first PGA Championship. |
| 36. Luke Donald Note: Former World No. 1 struggled early this year but has three top-15 finishes since April. |
| 37. Jason Dufner Note: Classic ballstriker who's coming around after rough start in 2015. Tied for fifth at 2010 PGA Championship. |
| 38. Bill Haas Note: Six-time PGA Tour winner has yet to post a major top-10 finish in 24 career starts. |
| 39. David Lingmerth Note: Won the Memorial Tournament over Justin Rose in May, and has shown great form since. Solid iron player with surprising length off the tee. |
| 40. Graeme McDowell Note: Accurate hitter but comes enters with lackluster form this season; missed cuts at 2004 & 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. |
| 41. Ryan Moore Note: Enters with average form and a weak history at the PGA, Moore is likely one to avoid at Whistling Straits. |
| 42. Lee Westwood Note: 42-year-old appears limited in chances to capture first major. Missed cut at Whistling in 2004, did not play in 2010. |
| 43. Hunter Mahan Note: Strong driver of the ball and owns two WGC wins but still seeking his first major; in average form this season. |
| 44. Francesco Molinari Note: Caught a hot streak in nearly winning twice in late May/early June, Francesco has made six straight cuts at the PGA Championship. |
| 45. Ryan Palmer Note: Excellent ballstriker will need to exercise patience to have a chance at the blustery Whistling Straits; tied for fifth at last year's PGA Championship. |
| 46. Ian Poulter Note: Known for his Ryder Cup grittiness, Poulter is good enough to make the cut but he's only won twice on the PGA Tour in his 19 year career. |
| 47. Webb Simpson Note: Four-time PGA Tour winner has been only average in majors since his 2012 U.S. Open triumph. |
| 48. Steven Bowditch Note: Two-time PGA winner has made 2-of-4 career major cuts, his best a T26 at the 2014 Masters. |
| 49. Kevin Chappell Note: Tied for 13th at last year's PGA and played three nice rounds at Quicken Loans National two weeks ago before falling apart Sunday. |
| 50. Victor Dubuisson Note: Frenchman tied for seventh in his first PGA Championship in 2014. Elite short game. |
| 51. Tony Finau Note: Bomber with 14 top-25s this season including a T14 at this year's U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. |
| 52. Russell Henley Note: Pair of top-25s at majors this season, Henly will look to post his first major top-10 this week. |
| 53. Charley Hoffman Note: Three-time PGA Tour winner contended at the 2015 Masters but has missed cuts the last two majors. |
| 54. Kevin Na Note: Solid tour player but has just one top-10 in majors. |
| 55. Scott Piercy Note: Recent winner at the Barbasol Championship opposite the Open Championship, Piercy is in good form and took T5 at the PGA in 2013. |
| 56. Steve Stricker Note: Wisconsin native will have plenty of fanfare at Whistling Straits but playing limited schedule last few years. Top-20s in last five PGA Championships. |
| 57. Brendon Todd Note: Straight driver with great putting; tied for 12th at Open Championship last month and has one career PGA Tour win. |
NEED A FEW BREAKS
| 58. Nick Watney Note: 54-hole leader in 2010 PGA Championship but shot 81 Sunday to tie for 18th. In mediocre form. |
| 59. Bernd Wiesberger Note: In final pairing with Rory at 2014 PGA Championship, but struggled Sunday. Won 2015 Alstom Open de France in July. |
| 60. Gary Woodland Note: Long hitter but has yet to post a top-10 at a major in 18 attempts. |
| 61. Jason Bohn Note: Elite iron player is playing in his first major this season but enters with three straight top-15 finishes. |
| 62. Jamie Donaldson Note: The 39-year-old late bloomer clinched the Ryder Cup last season for Europe. Only major top-10 came at 2012 PGA Championship. |
| 63. Harris English Note: Georgia Bulldog nearly won at Torrey Pines earlier this season; best major finish a T15 at the 2013 Open. |
| 64. Padraig Harrington Note: Three-time major champion won the Honda Classic this year but has otherwise been inconsistent. |
| 65. Byeong-Hun An Note: Won the flagship BMW PGA event in May by six strokes but missed last two major cuts. |
| 66. Kiradech Aphibarnrat Note: Thailand native just won the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay last week on the European Tour. |
| 67. SangMoon Bae Note: Two-time PGA Tour winner has struggled in majors with zero top-25s in 11 starts. |
| 68. Rafa Cabrera-Bello Note: A hot player on the Euro Tour since late May, Cabrera-Bello will look to post his first top-20 in a major this week. |
| 69. Ernie Els Note: Timeless South African has four major wins but never a PGA Championship. Good history at Whistling Straits with top-20s in both trips there. |
| 70. Tommy Fleetwood Note: European Tour youngster who fancies links courses; tied for 27th at this year's U.S. Open. |
| 71. David Hearn Note: The Canadian nearly won his National Open a few weeks back but ran out of gas down the stretch. Little major experience. |
| 72. Russell Knox Note: Limited major experience but very straight off the tee and among the tops on tour in par-4 scoring average. |
| 73. Joost Luiten Note: European Tour staple who is ranked mid-50s in the world rankings, but has just one top-25 in a major. |
| 74. Ben Martin Note: Won 2014 Shriners Open in late 2014 and has made his last two cuts at majors, but has yet to contend seriously. |
| 75. Geoff Ogilvy Note: Major champion and eight-time PGA Tour winner had top-15s at the PGA in 2005,2006,2007, and 2012. |
| 76. Brendan Steele Note: Won 2011 Valero Texas Open; has made two of last four PGA Championship cuts, including a T19 in 2011. |
| 77. Shawn Stefani Note: Houston native has yet to contend in a major. Lost in playoff to Justin Rose in 2014 Quicken Loans National. |
| 78. Andy Sullivan Note: Tied for 30th at Open Championship last month; won 2015 South African Open and Joburg Open earlier this season. |
| 79. Marc Warren Note: Top-15s at last two PGA Championships and made cuts at 2015 U.S. Open and Open Championship. |
| 80. Boo Weekley Note: Solid ballstriker missed cut in 2010 PGA at Whistling Straits, but solid pedigree otherwise at PGA Championship. |
| 81. Daniel Berger Note: PGA Tour rookie has excelled in first year on tour with five top-10 but enters in poor form with little major experience. |
| 82. Brendon de Jonge Note: Zimbabwe native has made 5-of-5 cuts at the PGA Championship, his best finish a T26 in 2011. |
| 83. Emiliano Grillo Note: Argentinian lost in a playoff at the 2015 Puerto Rico Open and also held first round lead at the recent RBC Canadian Open. Playing in first major. |
| 84. James Hahn Note: Broke through for maiden win at 2015 Northern Trust Open. Has missed cuts in all three career major starts. |
| 85. Brian Harman Note: 2014 John Deere Classic champion made the cut at last year's PGA but has missed all major cuts this season. |
| 86. Tyrrell Hatton Note: 23-year-old is playing in his first career PGA Championship. |
| 87. Morgan Hoffmann Note: Put together solid runs of golf in April and June, but entering on two missed cuts his last two events. Best major finish a T27 at the 2015 U.S. Open. |
| 88. Charles Howell III Note: Career underachiever has plenty of game but has just one career top-10 in a major. Made cut in 2004, 2010 PGA Championships and in decent form. |
| 89. David Howell Note: English prodigy from the early 1990s is now 40 and has just one major top-10 to his name. Playing PGA Championship for first time since 2007. |
| 90. Anirban Lahiri Note: Indian has made two of three cuts in majors this season, his best a T30 at last month's Open Championship. |
| 91. Alexander Levy Note: Frenchman tied for 30th at last year's PGA and finished T27 at this year's U.S. Open. |
| 92. Troy Merritt Note: Recent winner at the Quicken Loans National, Merritt is striking it well but is playing in his maiden major championship. |
| 93. Pat Perez Note: Owns just one PGA Tour win and one top-10 in a major, both occuring more than five years ago. |
| 94. Richard Ramsay Note: Won 2015 Hassan II Golf Trophy and owns seven top-15s on the European Tour this season. |
| 95. Rory Sabbatini Note: Five top-30s his last seven events on PGA Tour but poor history in majors with zero made cuts since 2012. |
| 96. John Senden Note: Veteran broke through for second PGA Tour win at 2014 Valspar Championship; owns three top-10s at majors since 2002. |
| 97. Cameron Smith Note: Tied for 4th at 2015 U.S. Open to earn him special temporary membership on PGA Tour. |
| 98. Cameron Tringale Note: Contended at 2015 Zurich Classic. Good ballstriker at times, but best major finish is T38 at this year's Masters. |
| 99. Camilo Villegas Note: Surprise 2014 Wyndham champion has struggled mightily in majors since his last top-10 which ironically was at the 2010 PGA. |
| 100. Soren Kjeldsen Note: Was top-10 at the 2009 PGA but has only played in two majors since 2010, missing the cut in both starts. |
LONG SHOTS
| 101. Thomas Bjorn Note: Veteran Dane did not play the past two PGAs at Whistling Straits and has zero top-10s on any tour this season. |
| 102. Tim Clark Note: Recently returned from nagging elbow injury that held him out since January, but has missed 3-of-4 cuts since. |
| 103. George Coetzee Note: Won 2015 Tshwane Open and AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open; best major finish is 15th at the 2011 Open. |
| 104. Sean O'Hair Note: Slipped in field after Graham DeLaet withdrawal; has two major top-10s but weak record at the PGA Championship. |
| 105. Ross Fisher Note: Has struggled in majors since breakthrough year in 2009, Fisher is a wildcard this week. |
| 106. Chesson Hadley Note: Won 2014 Puerto Rico Open; two career major starts ended in missed cuts. |
| 107. Thongchai Jaidee Note: Thai veteran has never posted a major top-10 and has missed both cuts at the 2004 and 2010 PGA Championships. |
| 108. Miguel Angel Jimenez Note: The 50-plus Spaniard has not make a cut since the 2014 Masters but is playing well on various tours this season. |
| 109. Matt Jones Note: Aussie broke through for his first win at the 2014 Shell Houston Open and has made 3-of-5 major cuts since. |
| 110. Pablo Larrazabal Note: Spaniard won the BMW International Open in June but has not made a major cut since 2012. |
| 111. George McNeill Note: McNeill has made just two career major cuts in 11 tries. |
| 112. Eddie Pepperell Note: Young Englishman took the 2015 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and recently made the cut at the Open a month ago. |
| 113. Vijay Singh Note: 2004 PGA champion triumphed in playoff at Whistling Straits; capable of making cut but likely won't contend in 2015 at 52 years old. |
| 114. Kevin Streelman Note: Breakout 2013 season produced first win and led to another in 2014. Tied for 12th at Masters in April. |
| 115. Chris Wood Note: 2008 & 2009 Open Championship top-5s, but little else in majors since then. |
| 116. Y.E. Yang Note: 2009 PGA champion has missed nine of last 12 major cuts. |
| 117. J.J. Henry Note: Won the Modified Stableford Barracuda Championship in a playoff last week to make the field. |
| 118. Martin Laird Note: First altnerate made field since Shane Lowry (winner of WGC-Bridgestone) was already in. Best major finish a T20 at the 2011 Masters. |
| 119. Matt Every Note: Back-to-back Arnold Palmer Invitational champ has done little outside of his two triumphs. |
| 120. Stephen Gallacher Note: Two-time Dubai Desert Classic champ has not made a cut in any major this season. Best major finish a T15 at the 2014 Open. |
| 121. James Morrison Note: European Tour member playing in first PGA Championship; tied for 20th at the Open last month. |
| 122. David Toms Note: 2001 PGA champion did not play in 2014 but has made every cut at PGA Championship since 2003. |
| 123. Marcel Siem Note: German won 2014 BMW Masters; best major finish at T12 at the 2014 U.S. Open. |
| 124. Alex Cejka Note: Won 2015 Puerto Rico Open in 5-man playoff; has not played well in majors since the 2010 U.S. Open where he tied for eighth. |
| 125. John Daly Note: Two-time major champ has one major top-20 the past 10 years. |
| 126. Fabian Gomez Note: Surprise FedEx St. Jude Classic champ by four strokes, Gomez has missed for straight cuts since and finished near the bottom at WGC-Bridgestone last week. |
| 127. Mikko Ilonen Note: Euro tied for seventh at last year's PGA but has done little else in majors since 2000. |
| 128. Hiroshi Iwata Note: Two-time Japan Golf Tour winner is playing in his first PGA Championship. Has played three Open Championship but missed the cut each time. |
| 129. Davis Love III Note: The 51-year-old won the 1997 PGA Championship but has only played in one major the past three seasons, missing the cut in each. |
| 130. Colin Montgomerie Note: Links maven who is well past his prime but coming off a second place finish last week on the Champions Tour. |
| 131. Koumei Oda Note: Seven-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, but has made just two cuts in majors, both in 2014. |
| 132. Nick Taylor Note: 27-year-old Canadian won Sanderson Farms Championship last fall and making first major start as a professional. |
| 133. Darren Clarke Note: 2011 Open champion has done little since his triumph and his chances are dwindling at 46 years of age. |
| 134. Brian Cairns Note: Club Professional from Walled Lake, Mich. |
| 135. Sean Dougherty Note: Club Professional from Leawood, Kan. |
| 136. Ryan Helminen Note: Appleton, WI native will get some extra support playing in his home state as a club professional. |
| 137. Jeff Olson Note: Club Professional from Delaware, Ohio |
| 138. Ben Polland Note: Club Professional from Bloomington, Min. |
| 139. Omar Uresti Note: Club Professional from Austin, Texas. Former PGA Tour pro. |
| 140. Shaun Micheel Note: Surprise 2003 PGA winner also took second at this event in 2006 but is not considered a contender. |
| 141. Matt Dobyns Note: Club Professional from Lake Success, N.Y. |
| 142. Charles Frost Note: Club Professional from Kiawah Island, S.C. |
| 143. Brian Gaffney Note: Club Professional from Scarsdale, N.Y. |
| 144. Brett Jones Note: Club Professional from Basking Ridge, N.J. |
| 145. Ryan Kennedy Note: Club Professional from Ventura, Calif. |
| 146. Johan Kok Note: Club Professional from Brentwood, Ten. |
| 147. Alan Morin Note: Club Professional from Royal Palm Beach, Fla. |
| 148. Austin Peters Note: Club Professional from Reinbeck, Iowa |
| 149. Adam Rainaud Note: Club Professional from South Hadley, Mass. |
| 150. Brent Snyder Note: Club Professional from Hudson, Wisc. |
| 151. Bob Sowards Note: Club Professional from Dublin, Ohio |
| 152. Grant Sturgeon Note: Club Professional from Port Chester, N.Y. |
| 153. Dan Venezio Note: Club Professional from South Hamilton, Mass. |
| 154. Steven Young Note: Club Professional from Midland, Texas |
| 155. Rich Beem Note: 2002 PGA champion has done little since his famous win over Tiger Woods at Hazeltine. |
| 156. Mark Brooks Note: 1996 PGA champion has not made a major cut since 2002. |
