PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Australian world No.1 Jason Day embarks on his first major title defence in the 98th PGA Championship.
Day is chasing his second major title and first since breaking his duck at Whistling Straits last year, with the 2016 event moving to historic Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey.
Day heads a nine-strong Australian contingent, also featuring Adam Scott and Marc Leishman.
Aaron Baddeley also earns a start after breaking a five-year PGA Tour winning drought this month, with Greg Chalmers, Marcus Fraser, Scott Hend, Matt Jones and John Senden also lining up.
American big guns Dustin Johnson, Jordan Speith and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy loom as Day’s biggest title threats, while Swede Henrik Stenson will look to build on his breakthrough major win at the British Open.
Phil Mickelson also returned to form at The Open and has history on his side in the year’s final major, having won the PGA Championship last time it was held at Baltusrol in 2005.
The course, built in 1895, has hosted eight major tournaments with all but one won by an American.
The PGA Championship is being held from July 28-31, two weeks earlier than normal, to accommodate for golf’s return tot he Olympic program in Rio.
Players to watch
Rory McIlroy
Country: Northern Ireland
Age: 27
Height & Weight: 1.75m & 73kg
Nickname: Rors, Wee-Mac
Current World Ranking: 4
Turned Pro: 2007
Professional Wins: 20
Phil Mickelson
Country: USA
Age: 46
Height & Weight: 1.91m & 91kg
Nickname: Lefty
Current World Ranking: 13
Turned Pro: 1993
Professional Wins: 51
Henrik Stenson
Country: Sweden
Age: 40
Height & Weight: 1.88m & 86kg
Nickname: Iceman
Current World Ranking: 5
Turned Pro: 1998
Professional Wins: 19
Jordan Spieth
Country: USA
Age: 22
Height & Weight: 1.85m & 84kg
Nickname: Golden Child
Current World Ranking: 3
Turned Pro: 2012
Professional Wins: 10
Jason Day
Country: Australia
Age: 28
Height & Weight: 1.83m & 88.5kg
Nickname: J.D., Jaydee, Jay Day
Current World Ranking: 1
Turned Pro: 2006
Professional Wins: 15
Dustin Johnson
Country: USA
Age: 32
Height & Weight: 1.93m & 86kg
Nickname: DJ
Current World Ranking: 2
Turned Pro: 2007
Professional Wins: 13
Adam Scott
Country: Australia
Age: 35
Height & Weight: 1.83m & 82kg
Nickname: Scotty
Current World Ranking: 8
Turned Pro: 2000
Professional Wins: 29
Rickie Fowler
Country: USA
Age: 27
Height & Weight: 1.75m & 68kg
Nickname: Steek
Current World Ranking: 7
Turned Pro: 2009
Professional Wins: 6