PGA Championship 2020: Major form analysis ahead of this week's trip to San Francisco

We're off. After the longest wait since the Second World War, the major championship year is finally up and running.

The PGA Championship, which up until recently was always the fourth and final major on the calendar, will this time be the first - and that hasn't happened since 1971.

In fact, this year's US Open and Masters are actually taking place early next season, making the PGA the one and only major tournament of the 2020-21 campaign.

Defending champion Brooks Koepka will once again take centre stage, as he hopes to become the first player during the tournament's strokeplay era to win the PGA three years in a row.

Tiger Woods has twice won the PGA Championship back-to-back, but never completed the hat-trick.

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After winning in 1999 and 2000, Tiger finished in a tie-for-29th, when chasing a third straight title.

Seven years later he was unable to tee-up because of injury, after winning in 2006 and 2007.

The last player to secure three-in-a-row was Walter Hagen, who actually claimed four straight successes from 1924, when the event was matchplay.

So who's taking part at TPC Harding in San Francisco this week?

In the spotlight

Bryson DeChambeau: Has been the in-form golfer of 2020 and, at one stage, posted seven straight top-eight finishes on the PGA Tour. However, the 26-year-old's best major finish so far is a tie-for-15th at the 2016 US Open.

Dustin Johson: Major golf's major underachiever. The former world No 1 has won 21 times on the PGA Tour - including the last 13 in a little over five years - but his sole major success came in June 2016. Ten top-six finishes in the Big Four events for the 36-year-old.

Brooks Koepka: The major man of recent years. He's won four of the last seven majors to be staged on American soil, while finishing second in two others. Quite incredible! After a slow start to the current stop-go season, he suddenly sprung to life in Tennessee last week when he finished in a tie-for second - an ominous sign for his fellow competitors.

Rory McIlroy: His most recent major success arrived on August 10th, 2014. Has struggled since the PGA Tour resumed in early June and last week in Memphis tied-for-47th.

Jon Rahm: It's hard to imagine the burly Spaniard not winning a major, or two, but the first one is usually the hardest. To date has posted three top-10 finishes in the Big Four tournaments.

Under the radar

Jason Day: His form has improved greatly in recent weeks. He arrives in California on the back of a trio of top-eight finishes. Still plays major courses better than most and is currently second in the category for Strokes Gained: Around the Green.

Tommy Fleetwood: Took a longer time than most to return to competitive golf following lockdown. Not expected to win this week which could help him in his chase for a maiden major title.

Chez Reavie: Not a name you'd expect to see in this type of list. However, his last three majors on American soil have all yielded top-15 finishes, so could be worth an each-way punt. Tied-6th on Sunday, following two decent displays at Muirfield Village.

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Jordan Spieth: Despite being off the boil in recent years, still tends to reserve some of his better performances for the majors.

Tiger Woods: By Tiger standards will go into this major championship as 'under the radar.' Chasing a 16th major victory but unlikely to be among the favourites - apart for reasons of sentimentally. Has good memories of TPC Harding Park where he won the WGC-American Express Championship in 2005 and four years later triumphed in all five of his matches at the Presidents Cup. However, just one competitive appearance since mid-February.

Other contenders

Xander Schauffele: Has performed solidly since professional golf resumed in early June. In six outings, he has finished outside the top-25 just once. Has stood on the podium in majors three-times.

Webb Simpson: Has quietly made his way up to No 4 in the world. A winner of the US Open and Players Championship, so he knows all about securing big titles.

Justin Thomas: Back at No 1 following his victory at TPC Southwind on Sunday. But can he join that rare band of players to win back-to-back, with the second win being in a major?

Leading 10 Stroke Averages

For Last 10 American Majors
(PGA Ch`ship 2016 thru US Open 2019)
Avg...(Rounds)
68.92: Brooks Koepka (36)
70.20: Rickie Fowler (40)
70.35: Hideki Matsuyama (40)
70.35: Tiger Woods (20)
70.44: Dustin Johnson (32)
70.59: Justin Thomas(34)
70.61: Jordan Spieth (38)
70.62: Justin Rose (34)
70.68: Patrick Reed (34)
70.78: Jason Day (36)
Min. No. Of Rounds = 18

Leading 10 Average Positions

For Last Five Years In American Majors
(Masters 2015 thru US Open 2019)
Avg...(No. of Majors)
9.00: Brooks Koepka (14)
20.13: Jordan Spieth (15)
21.50: Louis Oosthuizen (14)
23.13: Hideki Matsuyama (15)
24.71: Dustin Johnson (14)
26.86: Chez Reavie (7)
27.92: Justin Thomas (12)
27.93: Jason Day (15)
28.00: Patrick Cantlay (7)
28.40: Justin Rose (15)
Min. No. Of Majors = 6

Click here to view full list of STROKE AVERAGES and AVERAGE POSITIONS

Twitter: Andy Swales@GolfStatsAlive

Table Shows Form In Last 10 Majors