PGA Championship 2022 Power Rankings: Top-50 Players This Week at Southern Hills

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TULSA, Okla. — I’ve been doing pre-tournament rankings at major championships for a long time now, and this one feels as difficult as any of ‘em.

As I’ve said a few times already this week, it’s not just the number of high-level players who are capable of winning the PGA Championship, it’s the inability to invoke much of a process of elimination. Essentially, there are very few elite talents we can cross right off the list. Actually, there aren’t any.

With that in mind, be forewarned: The following list of 50 players is chalkier than I usually like. If the festivities at Southern Hills turn out anything like the way I’ve got outlined below, it’s going to be a hell of a week.

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1. Jordan Spieth

Perhaps the sixth time is the charm, as this might represent Spieth’s best chance yet at the career slam.

2. Rory McIlroy

His final-round 64 at the Masters proved once again that Rory’s best is as good as anyone’s.

3. Patrick Cantlay

Maybe the best player currently without a major, though that’s unlikely to continue much longer.

4. Scottie Scheffler

The world’s No. 1 player is riding a heater and has called Southern Hills his favorite course. ‘Nuff said.

5. Billy Horschel

It can’t all be chalk in the top-five. Horschel has played some of the best golf of his life this year.

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6. Justin Thomas

The winner of this tourney five years ago, he might own the highest floor of any elite player this week.

7. Jon Rahm

The fact that it took this long to get to Rahm speaks volumes about how much talent is around him.

8. Collin Morikawa

The 2020 champion is flying very stealthily under the radar this week — just the way he likes it.

9. Xander Schauffele

Fresh off a blistering final round at the AT&T Byron Nelson, he’ll look to carry that momentum into this week.

10. Tony Finau

It hasn’t been the greatest year for Finau, but he’s shown a propensity for playing well on PGA Championship setups.

11. Shane Lowry

For as much as I like him this week, I might like him even more at next month’s U.S. Open.

12. Corey Conners

He isn’t flashy, but his iron game is built for majors, with five finishes of 17th or better in his last eight.

13. Hideki Matsuyama

If there were lingering questions about his health, he answered ‘em with a title contention at the Byron Nelson.

14. Will Zalatoris

If you’re scoring at home, Zalatoris owns four top-10s in seven majors starts. That’s a Xander-like run.

15. Matt Fitzpatrick

The wins have yet to come, but he’s been way better this year than most casual fans would ever realize.

16. Max Homa

For a guy with four victories who seems to convert every time he’s in contention, the win equity is there.

17. Dustin Johnson

Results over the past year show a bunch of solid finishes without too many serious title contentions.

18. Joaquin Niemann

Gotta wonder how he’ll bounce back from a final-group tee time last Sunday that went south in a hurry.

19. Cameron Smith

Hasn’t figured out PGA setups in the past, but he’s dangerous anytime short game plays a major role.

20. Robert MacIntyre

Early in his career, the 25-year-old doesn’t seem intimidated by majors, going 8-for-8 in cuts so far.

21. Sam Burns

Brimming with talent, but hasn’t made a cut at an individual event since winning the Valspar in March.

22. Viktor Hovland

Massive ball-striking talent, of course, but it’s so difficult to overlook his short game shortcomings.

23. Keith Mitchell

If he’s not the most improved player this year, then he’s not far off, with five top-15 finishes in 10 starts.

24. Daniel Berger

Like Lowry, another player I like this week but like a lot more for the U.S. Open next month.

25. Keegan Bradley

Might not be under the radar anymore, but four results of 11th or better in his last six starts is special.

26. Tommy Fleetwood

Slowly working his way back into the elite level, one solid, consistent performance at a time.

27. Cameron Young

Fresh off the Korn Ferry, Young has been super impressive so far, with four top-three results as a rookie.

28. Tiger Woods

He’s stronger and his swing is better than last month at the Masters. As we all know, never doubt him.

29. Tyrrell Hatton

As always, if the host venue becomes increasingly frustrating, he’ll be entertaining to watch.

30. Talor Gooch

Oklahoma native should have plenty of good vibes returning to his home state for a major.

31. Harold Varner III

Don’t be surprised to see yet another early-week leaderboard climb for HV3.

32. Brooks Koepka

Hasn’t played since a MC at the Masters and withdrew from last week’s AT&T Byron Nelson.

33. Russell Henley

The ball-striking metrics are always there, which means Henley should at least have a high floor.

34. Sepp Straka

Has sniffed around a few more leaderboard since his first career victory at the Honda this year.

35. Abraham Ancer

Only one top-30 finish in 11 PGA TOUR starts this year is a bit troubling, despite his obvious talents.

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36. Louis Oosthuizen

Always need to tread carefully with a guy who owns a notoriously balky back and a history of WDs.

37. Mito Pereira

Another player with a recent injury concern whose T17 last week should prove he’s ready to roll.

38. Alex Noren

Quietly grinding out solid results every time he plays, including five top-20s in his last eight starts.

39. Bubba Watson

Hasn’t won in almost four full years, but there could still be some win equity at a massive price.

40. Charl Schwartzel

With a T10 at the Masters and a solo eighth last week, Schwartzel is showing some nice form.

41. Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Armed with one of the better short games around, if this becomes a chipping contest, watch out.

42. Maverick McNealy

It’s impressive how he’s become such a consistent player so early in his professional career.

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43. Stewart Cink

It’s been 21 years since Cink coulda-woulda-shoulda reached a U.S. Open playoff at Southern Hills.

44. Seamus Power

His early-year prowess might be showing up again, with three top-30s in his last four starts.

45. Marc Leishman

It’s been a disappointing year so far, but nobody can handle a stiff breeze like the Warrnambool bloke.

46. Sergio Garcia

Based on recent comments, we’ve gotta wonder what the imminent future holds for Sergio.

47. Erik van Rooyen

He was a WD last week, but there’s no speculation that it was due to anything but needing some rest.

48. Thomas Pieters

We know the offensive firepower exists, it’s just a matter of avoiding the big mistakes.

49. Aaron Wise

It’s only a matter of time before he puts it all together and starts contending for major championships.

50. Oliver Bekker

Who? Remember the name. Bekker owns eight top-10 finishes in his last 12 global starts.

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