DEFENDING CHAMPION: Brooks Koepka successfully defended his title last year, reaching eight-under-par 272 and defeating good friend Dustin Johnson by two shots at Bethpage Black.

COURSE: TPC Harding Park, located in San Francisco, was established in 1925 and was originally designed by Sam Whiting and Willie Watson. It has previously hosted the WGC-American Express Championship in 2005; the Presidents Cup in 2009; the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in 2010, 2011 and 2013; and the WGC-Match Play in 2015.

PRIZEMONEY: US$11,000,000.

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

Former World No.1 Brooks Koepka is looking to become the first player since Walter Hagen (1923-1927) to win three (or more) consecutive US PGA Championships.

The 30-year-old American hasn’t finished outside the top-15 at this event since his first appearance in 2013 – and he returned to form last week at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational, where he finished runner-up to Justin Thomas.

Koepka should be able to take advantage of the damp conditions at TPC Harding Park this week and has the power to run away with his fifth major championship title. He didn’t miss the top-five at any of the majors last year and deserves to be favourite in the betting.

Three-time major champion Jordan Spieth will be given his fourth opportunity to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only players to complete the career Grand Slam this week.

The 27-year-old Texan was runner-up to Jason Day at Whistling Straits in 2015 and shared third place at Bethpage Black last year. He was also T13th and T12th in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

Spieth, currently ranked 62nd in the Official World Golf Ranking, has been in decent enough form of late – but he could struggle to keep up with the longer hitters in the predicted soggy weather. His driving accuracy (52.42 percent) and greens in regulation (62.07 percent) is also concerning.

RIGHT: Koepka successfully defended the Wanamaker Trophy last year. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods returns this week for his first competitive appearance since mid-July.

The 44-year-old was victorious in his last two appearances at TPC Harding Park – winning the WGC-American Express Championship in 2005 and the 2009 Presidents Cup – and has arrived early to practice. But he will need to combat the cool weather that’s forecast, and his troublesome back may not enjoy that.

Woods, who won this event in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007, missed the cut at Bethpage Black last year after finishing runner-up the year prior at Bellerive.

Former champion Jason Day won this event at Whistling Straits in 2015 and has rediscovered some of his best form just in time for the first major of the year.

The Ohio-based Queenslander has finished T6th, T4th and T7th from his three most recent starts on the PGA Tour – and he has bagged four top-10s at this event in addition to his victory.

It’s also worth noting that Day will be competing without a swing coach for the first time in his career, having parted ways with lifelong coach Colin Swatton last week.

72-HOLE RECORD: Brooks Koepka reached 16-under-par 264 at Bellerive Country Club in 2018, defeating Tiger Woods by two shots. Queenslander Jason Day, meanwhile, shot 20-under-par 268 when he claimed his maiden major title at Whistling Straits in 2015.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Jason Day (2015), Steve Elkington (1995), Wayne Grady (1990), David Graham (1979) and Jim Ferrier (1947).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Jason Day, Lucas Herbert, Matt Jones, Marc Leishman, Adam Scott and Cameron Smith.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 6am – 12pm)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 6am – 12pm)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 6am – 12pm)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 5am – 11pm)
*AEST, check local guides