[PGA Championship] 'AT&T 2 Consecutive Wins' Lee Kyoung-hoon "This Time the Target is a Major"... What About the 'Returned Golf Emperor' Woods?

Schauffler Advances Toward Back-to-Back Majors at PGA Championship, Spieth Aims to Become Sixth Career Grand Slammer in Global Golf

'AT&T 2 Consecutive Wins' Lee Kyoung-hoon Challenges for Major Victory at the PGA Championship.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "This time, the target is a major."

Lee Kyung-hoon (31, CJ Logistics), who won the AT&T tournament two years in a row, is advancing toward a major championship victory. The second major of the PGA Tour, the PGA Championship, opens on the night of the 19th (Korean time) at Southern Hills Golf Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA (par 70, 7,365 yards). Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is aiming for back-to-back major wins, and Jordan Spieth is challenging to become the sixth golfer worldwide to achieve a career Grand Slam. The "returning golf emperor" Tiger Woods (all from the USA) is also appearing, drawing even more spotlight.

Lee Kyung-hoon successfully defended his title at the AT&T Byron Nelson, which ended on the 16th. His final round 9-under-par finish was remarkable. Winning two years in a row is the first time in 22 years since Tom Watson's three consecutive wins from 1978 to 1980. He said, "It feels like a dream," and expressed high hopes, saying, "I want to perform even better in a major." It is interesting that Yang Yong-eun (50) was the champion of this tournament in 2009. He is attempting to reclaim the top spot after 13 years. Korea is also represented by Kim Si-woo (27), Kim Joo-hyung (20), and Kim Bi-o (32).

'Masters Champ' Scottie Scheffler has begun his quest for back-to-back major wins at the PGA Championship.

Scheffler is naturally the "number one favorite" to win. In his last eight tournaments, including the Masters, he has swept four victories, dominating not only in wins but also in world ranking points (9.75), prize money ($10.3 million), and FedEx Cup points (2,842), leading all individual titles. Southern Hills is especially notable as the place where he won the 2015 NCAA Big 12 individual championship. He completed his warm-up confidently by shooting 6-under-par in a practice round on the 6th.

Number two Jon Rahm (Spain), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), and Justin Thomas (USA) have joined the competition for the title, while Spieth is aiming for the "career Grand Slam," having won all four different majors. He secured three of the four puzzle pieces with his back-to-back wins at the Masters in April 2015 and the US Open in June 2015, and the Open Championship in July 2017. The PGA Championship is the final mission. His past results at this tournament include tied 28th in 2017, tied 12th in 2018, tied 3rd in 2019, tied 71st in 2020, and tied 30th last year.

'The Returned Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods has declared his participation in the PGA Championship following the Masters.

Woods has entered the field. After finishing 47th at the Masters in April, he considered participating in this tournament. He was seriously injured in a car accident in Los Angeles, California, USA, in February last year, breaking both legs, and after lying in bed for three months, he returned through multiple stages including wheelchair and crutches. Completing the Masters itself was big news. He expressed confidence, saying, "My legs are getting stronger," and "I am looking forward to the tournament."

Phil Mickelson's (USA) absence is notable. It is rare for a defending champion not to participate; it has happened only twice before, in 1949 with Ben Hogan and in 2008 with Woods, both due to injuries. Although Mickelson made history last year as the "oldest major champion," he has recently been cornered for leading support of the LIV International Series, also known as the Super Golf League (SGL), which opposes the PGA Tour and is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Whether he will participate in the LIV Series opening event held in England on June 9 is another point of interest.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.