The best players in the world head for Kiawah Island this week and a date with the infamous Ocean Course where The War By The Shore introduced us to this seaside beast, the same setting where 23-year-old Rory McIlroy made a romp of the 94th PGA Championship in 2012.
Yes, it’s back to Kiawah, where you can pick up a decent oceanfront estate for around $10 million. If you want something big, it’s north of $20 million — the Hamptons of the South Carolina coast.
The 1991 Ryder Cup introduced the world to this Pete Dye demon where Bernhard Langer’s missed five-footer on the final hole in his match against Hale Irwin and it gave the U.S. it’s first Ryder Cup win since 1983. It was a wild, raw, unforgiving course. But it has been softened over the years — a bit.
The 2012 PGA Championship was best remembered for the brutal second round, where winds blew 20-30 miles per hour and the average score that day was 78. Tiger Woods gave himself a share of the 36-hole lead with a nifty 71 but he faded over the weekend with rounds of 74-74.
Rory’s second round 75 left him looking up at the leaders but his third round 67 got him going, even though it took him two days to finish as the weather on Saturday was rotten again.
Rory was bold enough to wear red on Sunday, a daring fashion statement when Tiger was in his prime. Luke Donald made that mistake back in 2006 in the PGA, playing in the final pairing with Woods and Tiger buried him on his way to major championship number 12.
McIlroy’s choice of shirt color wasn’t his. “It was in the script that Oakley sent me at the start of the week. If I was going to be paired with him (Tiger) today, I wasn’t going to wear red,” McIlroy said after his win at Kiawah.
Anyone remember when Rory wore Oakley shirts?
Rory’s weekend rounds of 67-66 made it a runaway — eight shots.
The runner-up is a good trivia question. Raise your hand if you remember Brit David Lynn shooting five-under?
That was then, this is now.
In nine years, Rory has added just two more majors to his total, which now stands at four. He comes back to Kiawah after playing his way out of an 18-month winless streak with his victory in the Wells Fargo at Quail Hollow two weeks ago.
No doubt Rory has fond memories of the Ocean Course.
This week, there’s no expectation of the foul weather that roughed up the field in 2012.
The advance forecast calls for little-to-no chance of rain, firm, fast conditions and winds that should be in the 10-15 miles per hour range, none of that 30 mile-per-hour stuff that can drive grown men to their knees.
This 2021 field has a far different look than it did nine years ago.
First round 2012 leader Carl Pettersson isn’t on the Tour any more.
Runnerup David Lynn can be found these days building single-family homes in England as a property developer.
Tiger Woods is home on Jupiter Island recovering from his car crash injuries.
Dustin Johnson is the world’s No. 1 and playing a major championship in his home state. World No. 2 Jon Rahm is a husband and father and is chomping at the bit to try and nail down his first major championship this week.
This field is packed with talent and it’s Rory who has the best memories and may have found his game just in time.
The Ocean Course awaits. It’s still beastly, this is not the place to find your game, better bring it with you.
2 Comments
baxter cepeda
Lots of lesser remembered facts and name drops in this one. Good stuff.
Seve and Zingers argument during the War by the Shore really stands out; and not just for Kiawah history; but golf history. Their frustrations with each other seemed to be exasperated with the extra pressures of the course then.
The course is significantly softened; sadly. Everything is soft these days. But Kiawahs early history acts as a reminder of the many ways courses can drastically challenge top players more; sans adding a single yard; but only if organizers have the cohones.
As for Rory; the combo of winning here last time and his recent win at Quail makes him a tantalizing pick.
But aside from Sam Burns well rounded game, another man definitely comes to mind even more. So even thou this isn’t the ‘picks’ article; I just want to put it out there now. Because this guy has been on every leader board all year. And needs a pga to complete the career grand slam; so if anything he will be too motivated. And Aside from some shaky driving here and there; and a recent bout with the Rona; no one is more well rounded and ready to win this week than the Golden child Jordan Spieth.
Whatever happens; no doubt Kiawah will produce more memorable moments like few tracks can.
Tom Edrington
our picks coming in next edition!