Five Holes that will define the 2024 PGA Championship

It's been ten years since Valhalla last hosted a PGA Championship, and the course will look quite different than it last did when Rory McIlroy raised the Wanamaker Trophy in 2014. Each hole at Valhalla Golf Club has a unique name - many of which pay homage to the horse racing roots of "Derby City". Here are five holes to keep an eye out for as the 2024 PGA Championship gets underway on Thursday.

Hole 3 - "Honest Abe"

Par 3, 208 yards

Named after Kentucky's only President (President Lincoln was born 70 miles south of Valhalla), the first par-3 on the course requires precision with a mid-iron off the tee. Floyd's Fork (a 62-mile tributary that runs through the state) sweeps along the right side of the hole, with the green protected by a large bunker to the right and two small bunkers to the left and behind the green. The biggest challenges on this difficult par-3 are distance control and correctly judging the wind.

Hole 6 - "Long Shot"

Par 4, 495 yards

As its name aptly indicates, the sixth hole at Valhalla will play as one of the most difficult holes all weekend. A 200+ yard approach is necessary as Floyd's Fork runs through the middle of the fairway, and its positioning does not allow for even the longest hitters to attempt to carry it. A deep bunker lurks green side left, and a runoff collection area will gobble up approach shots that miss to the right of the green. This played as the second-most difficult hole in the 2014 PGA Championship, and will certainly play a part in this year's Championship.

Hole 7 - "Genuine Risk"

Par 5, 597 yards

The lone par-5 on the front of Valhalla, the seventh hole features your ultimate "risk-reward" decision for players. The tee shot plays to a split fairway where the left fairway shortens the hole by 50 yards, but the landing area is just 26 yards wide with thick rough and water surrounding. The conservative play is to the right and can still provide an opportunity to reach the green in two if the player finds the fairway. This could be a pivotal decision for players at the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.

Hole 13 - "The Limestone Hole"

Par 4, 351 yards

Garnering its name from the picturesque limestone waterfall that backdrops the island green, the 13th is the shortest par-4 at Valhalla. Unlike other classical short par fours that provide an outlet for players to go for the green off the tee, "The Limestone Hole" will likely be played as a two shot hole for everyone in the field. Six bunkers line the left side of the fairway and must be avoided off the tee. Keep an eye on how short they decide to mow the rough surrounding the green as shorter grass will penalize players who misjudge the spin on approach shots.

Hole 18 - "Photo Finish"

Par 5, 570 yards

The closing hole is an epic par-5 that bends to the right and finishes in front of the massive, overlooking Valhalla clubhouse. At 570 yards, the hole is reachable for most players in the field. However, the large bunker in front of the horseshoe-shaped green presents a challenging up-and-down depending on the pin location. The massive hospitality areas and viewing spots that surround the hole make for an ideal finish at this year's PGA Championship.

Play Along with the VR PGA Championship on GOLF+

GOLF+ players will be able to experience the thrill of Major Championship golf in this week's VR PGA Championship as part of the GOLF+ TOUR. Winners of the top-tier on both the Pro and Amateur Tours will win two tickets to the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.