Thursday marks the beginning of the PGA Championship, the final Major and last leg of golf's grand slam events. The PGA Championship has always been a distant relative of the other big three tournaments, unless a player is chasing the Grand Slam which hasn't happened in quite a while. Last year we saw, Y.E. Yang take his 15 minutes of fame beating Tiger Woods down the stretch on Sunday at Hazeltine. (This was pre-Thanksgiving Tiger...my how things have changed.)
The PGA Championship has always been a favorite of mine, often showcasing some of America's great, more unheralded golf courses. The aforementioned Hazeltine is a beauty, as are Medinah, Oak Hill and Valhalla. Let's not forget Winged Foot either.
This year is no different with Whistling Straits, located along Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. If you've never seen the course before, check it out. It is a real treat. It is a course designed by Pete Dye, of TPC Sawgrass fame, among many other gems. The Straits course, where the tournament will be played, very much resembles a course you might find in the U.K. or Ireland, nestled along a two mile stretch of the coast along Lake Michigan. It features, grassy dunes, DEEP bunkers and contoured greens. At 7,514 yards it is the 2nd longest course to ever host a major championship. Only an all-around golfer will do well here.
Which brings us to Tiger Woods, the lightning rod of golf. He came up during a recent chat I was having with DP, and I mentioned that I've begun to lose confidence in the guy. DP believes he will be fine, but I'm not so sure. The man's whole persona is gone. He used to be such an intimidating force. Other players used to fear him - even 10 strokes back heading into a weekend. As far as chasing down Jack Nicklaus, I don't think it is possible any more. He as much as intimated last week that golf isn't as important to him anymore. Take that with a grain of salt, but it did come out of his mouth. This season was a big one for him, as far as the record goes. Both Open Championships were at two of his favorite courses, in Pebble Beach and St. Andrew's, and he didn't perform to expectation. You factor in the disaster that was his 18+ finish last week, at a course where he ALWAYS plays very well, and it is safe to say that 2010 is probably a huge wash. Some have even gone as far as to suggest that he suffers from Ian Baker-Finch syndrome. Baker-Finch was a golfer who enjoyed great success, winning a major and then fell on his face... Knoblauch style. Let's get one thing straight. Woods is no Baker-Finch. 14 majors make that argument. But, I don't think we're looking at the same guy any more, and I'm seriously having doubts about him winning many more majors. But, I'm curious to know what others think. Feel free to leave comments.
P.S. I don't think he'll help the Ryder Cup team, unless he proves to be his old self this week. Mr. Pavin...leave him off the team!
PGA predictions:
The sexy pick heading into the week is Rory McIlroy who played well enough to win at St Andrew's, outside of a terrible round 2. He's got the game suited to this style of course but I just don't think he's ready this year. Next year I think he'll bag a major. Not yet, though.
I'm going with Sean O'Hair, a young golfer who is experiencing a bit of a break out this year, even if it is past due. This is the player you'll remember who was supposed to be the next Tiger quite a few years back. He had an ugly relationship with his father who made him sign a contract promising a portion of his future earnings on tour...Joe Jackson style. O'Hair - who doesn't speak with his father - has found a new lease on life and has found his golf game again as well. He had a share of the lead heading into Sunday at the Bridgestone, and finished Top 12 at both Pebble and St Andrew's. I think he's ready, and he's definitely got the game.
Rounding out my top 5 will be...
Sean O'Hair (ready to take the next step?)
Steve Stricker (hometown boy)
Dustin Johnson (long bomber, but also shows accuracy)
Jeff Overton (3rd in all-around ranking on tour)
Hunter Mahan (my new favorite golfer now that Tiger sucks, winner last week)
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