Tier List10 min readMarch 31, 2026

PGA Championship Pool Tiers 2026: Complete Valhalla Rankings

Save 3+ hours creating your PGA Championship pool. Here's the complete 2026 tier list for Valhalla with 156 golfers ranked in 6 tiers by world ranking, recent form, and course fit. Copy, paste, and launch your pool in minutes.

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Quick Answer:

Final field confirmed: Monday, May 19, 2026 — one week before first round. Scroll down for complete 6-tier rankings (26 golfers per tier). Updated weekly through May 19.

⚠️ Key difference from Masters: PGA Championship has 156 players vs Masters' 90. Larger field = more tiers or bigger tiers. We recommend 6 tiers of 26 golfers each.

📋 PGA Championship Pool Tiers 2026 (Valhalla)

6-Tier Format (26 golfers per tier)

✅ Balanced for 156-player field • ✅ Based on March 2026 world rankings + form • ✅ Updated May 19 for final field

Valhalla note: Long, demanding par-72 layout. Bombers have slight advantage. Past winners: Rory McIlroy (2014), Brooks Koepka (2019).

Tier 1: Elite Favorites (Top 26)

  1. 1. Scottie Scheffler (USA) - #1 World Ranking, 2022 Masters Champion, PGA favorite
  2. 2. Rory McIlroy (NIR) - #2 World Ranking, 2012 & 2014 PGA Champion, Won at Valhalla 2014
  3. 3. Jon Rahm (ESP) - #3 World Ranking, 2023 Masters Champion, Major specialist
  4. 4. Viktor Hovland (NOR) - #4 World Ranking, FedExCup Champion, strong form
  5. 5. Xander Schauffele (USA) - #5 World Ranking, 2024 PGA & Open Champion
  6. 6. Collin Morikawa (USA) - #6 World Ranking, 2020 PGA Champion, elite iron player
  7. 7. Patrick Cantlay (USA) - #7 World Ranking, Consistent major contender
  8. 8. Ludvig Åberg (SWE) - #8 World Ranking, Breakout 2024 star, long hitter
  9. 9. Brooks Koepka (USA) - #9 World Ranking, 2018 & 2019 PGA Champion
  10. 10. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) - #10 World Ranking, 2024 U.S. Open Champion
  11. 11. Cameron Smith (AUS) - #11 World Ranking, 2022 Open Champion
  12. 12. Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) - #12 World Ranking, 2022 U.S. Open Champion
  13. 13. Max Homa (USA) - #13 World Ranking, Hot 2025-26 form
  14. 14. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) - #14 World Ranking, Major near-misses
  15. 15. Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) - #15 World Ranking, 2021 Masters Champion
  16. 16. Wyndham Clark (USA) - #16 World Ranking, 2023 U.S. Open Champion
  17. 17. Cameron Young (USA) - Rising star, multiple runner-ups
  18. 18. Tony Finau (USA) - Powerful ball-striker, Valhalla fits his game
  19. 19. Justin Thomas (USA) - 2017 & 2022 PGA Champion
  20. 20. Jordan Spieth (USA) - 3-Time major champion, seeking career grand slam
  21. 21. Min Woo Lee (AUS) - Breakthrough 2025 talent
  22. 22. Tom Kim (KOR) - Young gun, major potential
  23. 23. Sahith Theegala (USA) - Consistent top-20 finisher
  24. 24. Russell Henley (USA) - Steady veteran
  25. 25. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) - Fiery competitor, links specialist
  26. 26. Shane Lowry (IRL) - 2019 Open Champion

Tier 2: Strong Contenders (27-52)

  1. 27. Will Zalatoris (USA) - Major contender when healthy
  2. 28. Jason Day (AUS) - 2015 PGA Champion, former #1
  3. 29. Sungjae Im (KOR) - Consistent ball-striker
  4. 30. Sam Burns (USA) - Multiple PGA Tour wins
  5. 31. Corey Conners (CAN) - Precision iron player
  6. 32. Sepp Straka (AUT) - 2023 breakthrough
  7. 33. Taylor Moore (USA) - Emerging 2026 star
  8. 34. Adam Scott (AUS) - Former #1, smooth swing
  9. 35. Si Woo Kim (KOR) - 2017 Players Champion
  10. 36. Justin Rose (ENG) - 2013 U.S. Open Champion
  11. 37. Keegan Bradley (USA) - 2011 PGA Champion
  12. 38. Billy Horschel (USA) - Memorial winner, consistent
  13. 39. Dustin Johnson (USA) - 2016 U.S. Open, 2020 Masters Champion
  14. 40. Patrick Reed (USA) - 2018 Masters Champion
  15. 41. Rickie Fowler (USA) - Fan favorite, hot 2025 form
  16. 42. Akshay Bhatia (USA) - Young phenom
  17. 43. Chris Kirk (USA) - Comeback story
  18. 44. Denny McCarthy (USA) - Hot putter
  19. 45. Brian Harman (USA) - 2023 Open Champion
  20. 46. Seamus Power (IRL) - Consistent performer
  21. 47. Thomas Detry (BEL) - European Tour star
  22. 48. Erik van Rooyen (RSA) - Ball-striking wizard
  23. 49. Taylor Pendrith (CAN) - Long-drive threat (fits Valhalla)
  24. 50. Matt Kuchar (USA) - Major veteran
  25. 51. Nicolai Højgaard (DEN) - Rising European talent
  26. 52. Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) - Canadian hope

Tier 3: Dark Horses (53-78)

26 golfers ranked 53-78. Mix of tour winners, veterans, and rising stars. Good value picks with upside.

  1. 53. Lucas Glover (USA)
  2. 54. Davis Thompson (USA)
  3. 55. Byeong Hun An (KOR)
  4. 56. Nick Taylor (CAN)
  5. 57. Victor Perez (FRA)
  6. 58. Kurt Kitayama (USA)
  7. 59. Adam Hadwin (CAN)
  8. 60. J.T. Poston (USA)
  9. 61. Stephan Jaeger (GER)
  10. 62. Austin Eckroat (USA)
  11. 63. Harris English (USA)
  12. 64. Ryan Fox (NZL)
  13. 65. Gary Woodland (USA) - 2019 U.S. Open
  14. 66. Matt Wallace (ENG)
  15. 67. Adrian Meronk (POL)
  16. 68. Dean Burmester (RSA)
  17. 69. Thriston Lawrence (RSA)
  18. 70. Ryo Hisatsune (JPN)
  19. 71. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA)
  20. 72. Andrew Putnam (USA)
  21. 73. Emiliano Grillo (ARG)
  22. 74. Keith Mitchell (USA)
  23. 75. Alex Noren (SWE)
  24. 76. Cameron Davis (AUS)
  25. 77. Aaron Rai (ENG)
  26. 78. Rasmus Højgaard (DEN)

Tier 4: Sleepers (79-104)

26 golfers ranked 79-104. Tour pros, international stars, and hot hands. Can sneak into top-20 at Valhalla.

  1. 79. Matthieu Pavon (FRA)
  2. 80. Ben Griffin (USA)
  3. 81. Eric Cole (USA)
  4. 82. Jake Knapp (USA)
  5. 83. Mark Hubbard (USA)
  6. 84. Sam Stevens (USA)
  7. 85. Maverick McNealy (USA)
  8. 86. Lee Hodges (USA)
  9. 87. Nick Dunlap (USA)
  10. 88. Mac Meissner (USA)
  11. 89. Max Greyserman (USA)
  12. 90. Matt McCarty (USA)
  13. 91. Patrick Rodgers (USA)
  14. 92. Justin Lower (USA)
  15. 93. Jordan Smith (ENG)
  16. 94. Thorbjørn Olesen (DEN)
  17. 95. Francesco Molinari (ITA) - 2018 Open
  18. 96. Martin Kaymer (GER) - 2010 & 2014 PGA Champ
  19. 97. Jimmy Walker (USA) - 2016 PGA Champion
  20. 98. Luke List (USA)
  21. 99. Doug Ghim (USA)
  22. 100. Kevin Yu (TPE)
  23. 101. Romain Langasque (FRA)
  24. 102. Jesper Svensson (SWE)
  25. 103. Alex Smalley (USA)
  26. 104. S.H. Kim (KOR)

Tier 5: Long Shots (105-130)

26 golfers ranked 105-130. Mix of journeymen pros, international qualifiers, and past champions.

  1. 105. Brendon Todd (USA)
  2. 106. Michael Kim (USA)
  3. 107. Chad Ramey (USA)
  4. 108. Vince Whaley (USA)
  5. 109. Peter Malnati (USA)
  6. 110. Kevin Kisner (USA)
  7. 111. Webb Simpson (USA) - 2012 U.S. Open
  8. 112. Phil Mickelson (USA) - 2005 & 2021 PGA Champion
  9. 113. Daniel Berger (USA)
  10. 114. Harry Higgs (USA)
  11. 115. Charley Hoffman (USA)
  12. 116. Danny Willett (ENG) - 2016 Masters
  13. 117. Jason Kokrak (USA)
  14. 118. Beau Hossler (USA)
  15. 119. Scott Stallings (USA)
  16. 120. Michael Thompson (USA)
  17. 121. Ryan Palmer (USA)
  18. 122. Andrew Novak (USA)
  19. 123. David Lipsky (USA)
  20. 124. Rikuya Hoshino (JPN)
  21. 125. Joel Dahmen (USA)
  22. 126. Cam Champ (USA)
  23. 127. Ryan Armour (USA)
  24. 128. Dylan Frittelli (RSA)
  25. 129. Wesley Bryan (USA)
  26. 130. Jhonattan Vegas (VEN)

Tier 6: Ultimate Underdogs (131-156)

Final 26 spots. Past PGA Champions, club pros, international qualifiers, and PGA club professionals who qualified.

  1. 131. Bubba Watson (USA) - 2-Time Masters Champion
  2. 132. Sergio Garcia (ESP) - 2017 Masters Champion
  3. 133. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) - 2011 Masters Champion
  4. 134. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) - 2010 Open Champion
  5. 135. Padraig Harrington (IRL) - 3-Time Major Champion
  6. 136-150. PGA Club Professionals (20 qualify via PGA Championship in April)
  7. 151-156. International Qualifiers & Late Additions (confirmed May 19)

*Note: Final field confirmed Monday, May 19, 2026. PGA club pros and qualifiers fill Tier 6.*

PGA Championship vs Masters: Key Differences

FactorMastersPGA Championship
Field Size~90 players156 players
Recommended Tiers6 tiers of 156 tiers of 26
QualifyingInvitational only20 club pros qualify
2026 CourseAugusta National (fixed)Valhalla (rotates yearly)
DateApril 10-13May 15-18, 2026

Valhalla Golf Club: What You Need to Know

Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky is hosting the 2026 PGA Championship. Last hosted in 2014 when Rory McIlroy won by one stroke. Here's how the course affects your pool:

  • Par 72, 7,542 yards — Long and demanding, favors bombers
  • Wide fairways — Length matters more than accuracy compared to Augusta
  • Reachable par-5s — Eagles are possible for long hitters
  • May weather — Warmer, less wind than April Masters
  • Past winners: Tiger Woods (2000), Rory McIlroy (2014), Brooks Koepka (2019 at Bethpage)

Tier 1 Strategy at Valhalla

Target long hitters with major experience: Rory McIlroy (won here in 2014), Brooks Koepka (2-time PGA champ), Bryson DeChambeau, and Tony Finau. Distance is rewarded at Valhalla.

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When to Finalize Your PGA Tiers

Recommended: Monday, May 19, 2026 (week of PGA Championship)

The PGA Championship field is more fluid than the Masters. 20 club professionals qualify in late April. Late withdrawals happen. Wait until May 19 to finalize tiers to avoid imbalances.