So much of professional golf's focus in recent weeks has been outside the ropes, and understandably so. 

But while civil war and controversy rage at the top of the game, fans and players alike will be relieved to turn their attentions back to the course.

Southern Hills Country Club, to be specific, in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the second major of 2022 — the PGA Championship.

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So much has changed since the last running of this tournament, with the list of players competing — and not competing — cause for much discussion.

Just hours from the first tee time, get yourself up to speed on how this tournament is shaping up.

Is Tiger Woods playing?

You better believe it.

Tiger is teeing it up for the second time since the February 2021 car crash that shattered both of his legs and looked very likely to end his career.

The first, of course, was at the Masters in April where Woods incredibly made the cut before fading over the weekend. While it was uncomfortable to watch a clearly hurting Tiger hobble around Augusta, it was magic to see him in action again.

A month on, Tiger says he's feeling the fittest and strongest he has since the crash. Southern Hills is not an easy walk, but footage of his practice rounds showed Woods getting around with far more ease than he managed at the Masters.

Tiger won the PGA Championship at this course in 2007 and while it remains a treat just to watch him playing, he wouldn't be competing unless he thought he could win.

And with The Cat, you can never say never.

Is Phil Mickelson playing?

Incredibly, he is not.

Just 12 months on from his historic and still unfathomable PGA Championship triumph at Kiawah, Mickelson last week withdrew from the tournament.

In fact, the reigning champion hasn't played any golf at all for months now, not since his comments about Saudi Arabia, the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the breakaway LIV Golf series.

Mickelson has been taking time away from the game and despite some suggestion he might mark his return at this tournament, he will not be present to defend his title.

Who are the favourites?

At the moment, it's difficult to go past world number one and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who has been quite clearly the best golfer in the world in 2022.

Fellow Texan Jordan Spieth only needs the PGA Championship to complete the career grand slam, and his form has been encouraging in recent weeks. On a course that will reward precise iron play, things may be falling into place for Spieth.

Speaking of iron play, Collin Morikawa won this tournament in 2020 and if he has a good putting week, he will certainly be among the leaders. The same can be said of Jon Rahm, who has been having a nasty year with the putter but remains one of the world's best ball-strikers.

Also worth consideration are other big names like Patrick Cantlay, Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas, but also guys like Sam Burns, Daniel Berger and Max Homa.

Oh, and there's this Australian bloke…

What about the Aussie contenders?

Cameron Smith has been laying relatively low since his disappointing finish at the Masters, but he remains one of the hottest players in the world.

If Smith can have a decent week with driver in hand, his outstanding iron play, short game and putting will put him in contention. It's what won him the Players in March and had him in the final group at Augusta in April.

Smith is definitely Australia's best hope, but not our only one. Marc Leishman isn't enjoying his best year but has a habit of lifting for majors, while Jason Day has shown the odd glimpse of his old self in 2022.

Min Woo Lee impressed in his first Masters this year and may well be inspired by his sister Minjee, who is close to the best female golfer on the planet right now.

Then there's Adam Scott, who has been relatively consistent this season. Cam Davis, Lucas Herbert and Matt Jones round out the Aussie contingent.