You can say that it is most likely an indication of how tough Oakmont will be next week when the world turn’s it attention to the U.S. Open.
But there is a PGA Tour stop this week and the St. Jude FedEx championship holds the tough spot on the schedule before the most challenging American major.
Jack Nicklaus in his prime, did not play the week before a major. Neither did Tiger Woods, golf’s two most accomplished players when it comes to winning majors.
Most of the current crop of accomplished players are taking the same roadmap. Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy are already focused on Oakmont.
Memphis will have to settle for the leftovers and the two biggest names in the field are Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson. Both contended last week at The Memorial, neither could produce at crunch time.
That’s been a recurring theme for Mickelson. Although he says he’s cured his swing woes, he simply doesn’t make a enough putts when he needs them.
You could say the same for Johnson, who launched some unreal drives at Memorial but couldn’t capitalize with a wedge in his hands more often than any player in the field.
Will that change this week?
Stay tuned.
