Well, it is finally here. It's the final predominant of the PGA Tour season...
And I don't count on Tiger to play. He may additionally attempt -- he is cussed that manner -- however I do not suppose he should and so he doesn't even aspect into my calculations this week.
Of course, this guy does.
Today I unveil my "five to Watch" for the PGA Championship. At this factor in the season, there are not lots of surprises left, are there? Most players were centered in this part of the season -- next week is the Wyndham (simply 30 minutes or so from wherein I live), then the FedExCup Playoffs, after which the Ryder Cup. If men haven't located their games but, it's difficult to consider they will discover them now!
So let's see if I can still pull a couple of surprises out of my hat...
- Of course, I'd have to be an idiot not to include Rory McIlroy in my picks. The new World #1 got to the top the old-fashioned way -- he took it! After back-to-back history-making wins at the Open and Bridgestone, you have to figure he's at least got a chance at winning three in a row. But Rory isn't my choice to win this week.
- Rickie Fowler is the only guy in the field with 3 Top5s in the majors this year, and he's coming off a T8 at Bridgestone. I expect him to show up big again this week.
- Likewise, Justin Rose posted a T4 at Bridgestone this past week. After an understandably flat month -- after all, he won two big events back-to-back just a month ago -- he seems to be picking up steam again.
- My favorite for this week is Sergio Garcia . Maybe I'm just rooting for the story, but I was actually a bit relieved when he didn't win the WGC since going back-to-back with a WGC and a major would be tough. Sergio is playing so well -- and seems to be in such a good place mentally and emotionally -- that I really like his chances at Valhalla.
- And my flier pick is none other than Colin Montgomerie . Monty has a couple of senior majors under his belt now -- US victories as well -- so the Monty teeing it up this week is a very different man from the one who struggled on the regular tour. Valhalla puts a premium on fairways and GIR, and those are Monty's strong suit.
- Adam Scott: Adam simply doesn't seem to be putting well enough right now. And to be honest, I think he's a bit bummed out that he couldn't get a win to solidify his place at the top over the last couple of majors. He'll regroup but I don't think it'll be this week.
- Bubba Watson: Bubba's game was perfect for Pinehurst, Hoylake, and Bridgestone... and he did nothing. I simply don't see him getting things together this week.
- Phil Mickelson: That 62 on Sunday was big... but just not big enough.
- Jordan Spieth: I think the emotion of his nonstop rise to the top echelons of the game have finally caught up with him. He needs a break to regroup before he breaks through.
It's hard to defend any major except the Masters because of the changing venues, so I don't expect "the Duff" to pull it off this time -- especially with the neck problem he's had lately. Despite including Rory & Rose in my picks, I'm convinced we're going to see another new major winner this week.
And I think it could be Sergio. We'll find out soon enough, won't we?
0 comments