A few quick words about the site of this week’s PGA Championship before we get into the serious business of evaluating hopefuls for the season’s final major. First, this is the swan-song for the August playing of the PGA. The move to mid-May will open new doors for different venues and will banish the oppressive heat and unpredictable weather that has been a late-summer problem for this fourth major.
When you look at stately Bellerive in St. Louis, the first thing you should know is that this club is named after Louis St. Ange De Bellerive (say that 10 times really fast). He was the last French commander/governor in North America. Founded in 1897 with nine holes it became “Bellerive” officially in 1910. In 1955 the membership asked Robert Trent Jones Sr. to find a piece of land and design a new course. Voila! Bellerive opened in Creve Coeur in 1960 and hosted the 1965 U.S. Open. Youngest course to do that at the time. Last major at Bellerive was the 1992 PGA won by Nick Price.
Fast forward to 2018 and basically the course if new to every player in the field. No course knowledge advantage this week. With that in mind, let’s get down to the serious business of evaluating a few of the contenders.
Justin Thomas: If you want to pick a favorite, why not go with the defending champion? He crushed the life out of everyone on Sunday at Firestone. A key for J.T. was a little tweak to his driver. Had the lads at Titleist scratch their heads and they took about an eighth of an inch off the shaft. Really? That was the difference? Whatever it was, J.T. drove the ball superbly last Sunday while playing partner Rory McIlroy smashed the crap out of his golf ball but often found it somewhere amongst the remaining trees at Firestone. Deep rough this week will punish errant tee balls. Looks like Thomas’ game is firing on all cylinders. He’s young and can handle the St. Louis summer heat.
Dustin Johnson: The world’s No. 1 player (when he wants to be) shot 66-64 the final two rounds at Firestone. Wow. Can he carry that over to Bellerive? His “A” game finally passed through customs at the Canadian border and made it to Akron last Saturday. His best is better than anyone else’s. Will he bring it with him this week?
Patrick Cantlay: This young guy is getting better all season. Shot 68-68 to close out his week at Firestone. He’s our surprise contender.
Brooks Koepka: Like D.J., his “A” game travels well. When he’s got it, he’s tough to beat. Back-to-back U.S. Opens are proof of that. Has the stamina to take the heat this week.
Tony Finau: This guy just keeping showing up in the top 10. He did again last week at Firestone. This big-time stuff is new to him but he’s handling it like a veteran. Great kid, lots of game. If his putter helps him, look out.
Jason Day: A PGA champion, showed some life at Firestone, didn’t fare well on Sunday. You know he wants to make up for that. Got within two shots of J.T. early on the back nine then crumbled. Wants a little redemption.
Tommy Fleetwood: Had a bit of a coming out party at the U.S. Open. His control game should fit well at Bellerive. He’s also sneaky-long.
Rickie Fowler: America’s sweetheart seems doomed to play just well enough in majors to keep up the hope that one day he’ll win one.
Matt Kuchar: Kooch knows he needs a really, really good week to lock up his spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Good bet is he’ll have one.
Thorbjorn Olesen: The “Thunder Bear” shot 64 last Sunday. He’s trying to lock up a spot on the European Ryder Cup team.
Justin Rose: Where has this guy been?
Patrick Reed: When’s he gonna show up again?
And finally, what about Eldrick Tont Woods?
Wow, this guy looked every bit of his 42-years over the weekend at Firestone. Turned The Golf Channel into a Den Of Depression, especially chirpy Robert Damron, who was so in love with Woods to win at Firestone it was sappy.
Well, we shall leave you today with Damron’s post-Firestone thoughts on Woods:
“I’m officially stepping off the Tiger Woods roller coaster. I don’t think he’s gonna win this year. The spark that made him the greatest is gone. I just don’t see him winning.”
Ouch!
The Tiger Woods roller coaster?
Thankfully, we’ve never been on it.
2 Comments
RM
Sad to me that Jordan Spieth isn’t even a footnote to the favorites, and other than just wishing it were different, I can’t come up with a good reason why it should be. Wish I could throw out a debating point or two but I can’t.
Tom Edrington
I was shocked that Jordy contended at The Open Championship but Johnny Miller read my mind when he declared before Jordy teed off that the right miss might get him and it certainly did “Mr. Spieth, DO NOT stick your arm in the Gorse!!”