Jimmy Walker hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy in 2016. Who will be doing the honors this year. (Photo courtesy of UPI.com).
The 99th PGA Championship
Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina, 7,600 yards, Par 71
Defending champion: Jimmy Walker at Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield Township, New Jersey, -14
TV: Thursday-Friday, 12-6 PM CT, TNT; Saturday-Sunday, 10 AM-1 PM CT, TNT: 1-6 PM CBS.
Weather: Rainy at times, but the course is perfect, so it’ll work out well. Should be a classic Sunday regardless of the weather.
Key Holes:
The Green Mile, Numbers 16-18. The toughest 3 hole stretch in golf.
No. 16, 506 yards, par 4. It’s a demanding hole that requires accuracy on both the drive and the second shot. Dogleg right requires a cut off the tee with a lake covering the left side of the fairway and the lake guarding the left side of the green. Par here sounds good.
No.17, 223 yards, par 3. This is nearly an island green where bogeys can be more prominent than birdies. This is a survival stretch of 3 holes.
No. 18, 494 yards par 4. The toughest finishing hole on tour in 2016. There is a creek that runs along the entire left side of the hole, so any kind of draw and you better have your waders in the bag. Only one bunker on the right side of the fairway, but a player would rather be in that than the 2 1/4 inch high rough surrounding it. The approach has the creek on the left and a large, expansive green, like many are on this course, with problems on the right getting up and down if the competitor doesn’t hit the green on his approach. Should be a classic major finishing hole on Sunday.
Winner
Sir Nick Faldo said last week at the end of the Firestone, “Watch out for the relaxed, confident golfer.” That’s what this guy is right now. He was 1st in strokes gained tee to green, 1st in strokes gained total and tied for 1st in greens in regulation at the Firestone last week. A lot of people are picking Rory to win this and capture his fifth major, while others are picking Spieth to win it and become the youngest player to ever win the career Grand Slam. But this young guy finished tied for 11th at the Masters, tied for 2nd at the U.S. Open after putting on a masterful round Sunday which was only eclipsed by Brooks Koepka, and he finished tied for 14th at the Open Championship. I really like the way he’s trending. He finished last Sunday’s round with an eagle, 7 birdies and no bogeys on his way to shooting 61 and winning the WGC Bridgestone by 5 shots. I’m going with the 25 year old from Ehime, Japan. He’s the hottest player in the world. I definitely believe in him holding the Wanamaker Trophy Sunday evening in the Queen City.
Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki gets it done for his first major (Photo courtesy of Golfweek).
Darkhorse
Tony Finau
He’s a bomber and a super putter. Like the 27 year old from Salt Lake City to have a real shot here.
Like Tony to be right there with a shot to win Sunday (Photo courtesy of Golf Channel).
10 Responses
Matsuyama is hot as Hiroshima was after dropping the bomb. I am going with Rory as it looks like his game is getting back in form. My dark horse is Marc Leishman. Keep up the good work DW.
D – love the prediction!! Great write up. T
I am going with Rory….horses for courses, and the guy is trending up in time for this event. Would love to see Fowler break through and he has won there before too. Dark horse — a guy who I do not really care for, but I think is starting to play well…Bubba Watson.
Thanks Bama. Appreciate the comments very much. Rory definitely looking good right now Bama and Brownie. Not sure his wedge game is where it needs to be though. Driver good though. Putter pretty so so.
Thanks T. Appreciate it my man. Hope the new job is going very well!
Like your pick DW. I am going with Spieth. His putter and iron play separate him from the field. Rory and Hideki will give him a good run.
Thanks Walter. Certainly the most clutch guy on tour.
Like your pick!
My top picks this week are headed by the Japanese flag. NEVER is a tough word to use correctly because there is always a chance and never suggests a permanent posture. Well, NEVER has a Japanese player won a major. The impact to us may mean little, but to the rest of the pointy-head world it would be like the little dictator from North Korea hurling a nuke at Saigon. Worth a billion for Hideki!
Also, I like another bomber and little talked about this week in Brooks Koepka. This course is posted at 7600 yards par 71 and conditions will make it play longer. In many cases three clubs longer on some of the par fours. Word around was Rory McIlroy did not hit more than 8 iron to the par fours in his 2015 win. Practice rounds had him hitting nothing less than 5 iron to those same holes. Now that brings me to my sentimental favorite. I can not count out the boy wonder, J. Spieth. Best build up for a PGA championship in years. The big announcements of date changes for PGA and the Players certainly helped. Every one of those guys slapped their head a had a V8.
Thanks Logic and Spike!