Just in time for the final major of 2008, it looks like a number of golf’s remaining stars are remembering how to make their way to the top of the leaderboard. If last week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is any indication, this week’s PGA Championship could be quite a ride.
Over the past weeks, since Tiger Woods stepped out of the scene for his knee surgery, names like Harrington, Mickelson, Appleby, Goosen and Singh have been rediscovering some of their former confidence that was beaten up by Tiger’s dominance. Now they have another chance to prepare for 2009 when Woods returns to take another shot at the world’s No. 1.
The hottest male golfer on the planet, Kenny Perry, will also be on hand to challenge for the Wanamaker Trophy. This will be his first start in a major this year as he skipped the U.S. and British Opens, and did not have an invitation to The Masters. We have also watched young talents like Anthony Kim, Chez Reavie and now Parker McLachlin rise up and capture their first PGA Tour wins this year, bringing new blood into the chase for Tiger’s crown.
This week, the PGA Championship moves to a suburb of Detroit, Mich., and the Oakland Hills Country Club. Oakland Hills is one of the great American courses. Dubbed by Ben Hogan as “a monster” in 1951, the course has hosted 13 major events. Like many classic courses, Oakland Hills has had to be reworked to accommodate today’s players and technology.
The course is nearly a quarter-mile longer than it played in 1951, but even at 7,439 yards and a par of 70, today’s players will have a fair chance of shooting good scores – and an equally good chance of bad scores. Rees Jones adjusted length and bunker positions to the modern length off the tees. Fairway bunkers will be 300 to 310-yard carries, making driving accuracy a must if players want to be able to hit shorter irons into the undulating greens.
Par-3 holes this week will average 222 yards long. The ninth hole is the longest and can play up to 256 yards. The shortest will play in the 196-yard range.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The winner this year will most likely be one of longer players in the field. Phil Mickelson is always a threat, but he will undoubtedly have to dig himself out of trouble a few times. If he can avoid the water and his Sunday cowboy act, he could add his fourth major to his belt.
Vijay Singh will have to figure out his putter. He will not be able to miss as many short putts as he did last week in Akron and win. Kenny Perry has slowed down a little from his hot streak, but he has the game and definitely has the motivation from all the criticism he took for missing the U.S. and British Opens. Watch out for Robert Karlsson, too. He has had top 10’s in all three previous majors this year.
Coverage this week will be on TNT (Thursday and Friday, 1-7 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday and Sunday, 2-6 p.m.). XM 146 will be broadcasting at noon all four days.
Capps can be reached at onthegreen@scoreatl.com.
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