PGA Championship
What a week! Last week was a shootout at the AT&T Byron Nelson. K.H. Lee shot 26 under par to edge Jordan Spieth by one stroke. He went back to back last week after winning the Byron Nelson for the second year in a row. While Lee’s win was great, that wasn’t the highlight of the week. Lee let us golf fans in on two goals he had back in 2018, the first was #1 in the world and the second was the sexiest golfer in the world. Whether Lee achieves these goals or not he will always bring great energy to the golf course no matter what. While last week was great, this week we gear up for the second major of the year, The PGA Championship.
As of late there is tons of exciting news and drama circling the second major of the year. First and foremost reigning champion Phil Mickelson will not be competing this week. As we all know Phil hasn’t been the golden boy in the golf community, ranging from his support of the Saudi backed LIV League to crude comments against the PGA Tour itself. It’s pretty obvious that Phil crossed a major line and throughout this whole ordeal he all but ruined everything he worked so hard for. Phil’s credibility is forever tarnished, but at what cost? That question is continuously asked and not one person can come up with a solid answer as to why Phil threw all of that away. With this WD this week begs even more questions surrounding Phil’s return. The biggest question is whether or not this is a suspension or is Phil just boycotting the PGA Tour. Considering Phil’s well known greed, the more likely of the two is the suspension only time will tell. Until then we will patiently await the return of Phil Mickelson in whatever capacity that might be. On a much more positive note, Tiger Woods will be playing this golf week.
This is the positive news the golf community was looking for. It’s not a secret that Tiger has really been working hard for the past month in order to prepare for this week. However the stars aligned pretty well in order for Tiger to compete. First and foremost the golf course. This year’s PGA Championship will be played at Southern Hills in Tulsa Oklahoma. This is huge because Oklahoma is flat. Yes that sounds crazy, but Southern Hills will be a much easier walk for Tiger than a course like Bethpage Black or Baltusrol. The other bonus for Tiger is the weather, unlike Augusta it's going to be very warm. That warmth allows Tiger to stay loose and not stiffen up. It sounds insignificant, but for somebody like Tiger who’s injuries were so extensive needs every advantage he can get. With all that being said Tiger feels extremely confident and is more than ready to compete. Not only will Tiger be joining the field, this week you can expect to watch the games best compete for the chance to hold that forever coveted Wanamaker Trophy.
The first and second round pairings this week are about as good as they could possibly get. This week the best group of the week is Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy. This is probably the most high powered first round and second round pairing we’ve seen in a major for quite some time. Jordan is coming off an incredible second place at 25 under, Rory is always good for fireworks and well of course Tiger Woods needs no introduction. On top of that group, fans get the opportunity to watch Cam Smith, Viktor Hovland, and Will Zalatoris along with Dustin Johnson, Patrick Cantlay, and Justin Thomas. You could say that the field for the PGA Championship is the strongest field in golf. (Mike)
The groups are no doubt some of the most electrifying we have seen in any major, but that still feels like it is failing to move the needle this week. I am not sure what it is, but it feels like the only big story this week is Tiger being out there. I am sure as the weekend goes on the play will invite some storylines, but for now, this feels like a very boring major championship to me. (Tyler)
Pick’s of the Week:
Mike: With all that being said, there can only be one winner. After last week’s near winning pick of Jordan Spieth, I’m feeling very confident. This week I will once again bve going with Jordan Spieth. Jordan constantly talks about trending in the right direction and peaking at the right time. This is one of those times. Not only is he trending, he’s peaking as well. After a stellar 25 under finish last week his game is top of the line. This win would always check off another box on Jordan’s already hall of fame resume. With a win this week Jordan will capture the career grand slam. Becoming a member of an elite group of golfers that have won each of the four majors is a feat we all would like to accomplish. With all that being said, Jordan needs to bring his “A” game this week because the rest of the field won’t go away quietly. (Mike)
Tyler: I think unfortunately this course will heavily favor the longer players on tour. Unless someone has a lights out performance with their irons and putter this week I see it being a battle of the Tour’s big hitters. For that reason my winner is Justin Thomas.he seems to show up and play his best when the pressure is on and the crowd is behind him. He has experience winning the PGA Championship already and I think he adds to that Sunday afternoon. The thing that makes JT easy to root for is the emotion he shows out on the course. It is not over the top, but it is fiery and it is passionate.
My dark horse is Cameron Champ. He is a long shot at 125-1, but he hits the all a mile and he has shown some flashes on tour of being able to compete. Doing it at a major is an entirely different beast though. In addition to Champ I also really like Tony Finau at 50-1. Seeing Tony get over the hump finally at a tournament as big of this would be as good as it gets.
A bold prediction for the week is that someone outside the world top 75 is in the final pairing on Sunday afternoon. I think this leaderboard will be heavily skewed in favor of the top players in the world, but I think a player outside the top 75 will find themselves with as good of chance as anyone come Sunday afternoon when they tee off. (Tyler)