Jack Nicklaus won two majors at Baltusrol.
Lee Janzen won the first of his two U.S. Open titles at Baltusrol.
Mickey Wright, arguably the greatest female player ever, won the women’s Open at Baltusrol.
Phil Mickelson won the PGA at Baltusrol in 2005.
History suggested that whoever hoists the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday, they will have an accomplished resume.
In other words, no flukes need apply this week.
No Shaun Micheel, no Y.E. Yang, no Rich Been, no Mark Brooks, no Wayne Grady, not even Keegan Bradley.
No, Baltusrol will demand better.
It will demand a repeat by Mickelson or a second straight major by Henrik Stenson, who comes in red-hot after his final round 63 at Royal Troon.
It could be Rory McIlroy. He already has a PGA, and a U.S. Open and an Open Championship.
It could be Dustin Johnson. With back-to-back par fives, he has the firepower to reach both in two and produce some drama.
Could be Jordan Spieth, if he can save himself from his slumping game in the last two majors. Spieth knows it will take a great effort this week.
“It’s a big golf course. It’s unique. You gotta hit the ball long and straight. I consider it one of the top American golf courses,” Spieth said after his Tuesday practice round. Indeed, long and straight has been a problem for Spieth, who has been more crooked than straight with his tee shots and his magical putter has been a lot less than magical.
It could be a European player. Europeans, mainly Danny Willett and Henrik Stenson have prevailed in two of the first three.
Could it be a first-time major champion?
Form at Baltusrol says no, but the first three major winners this year say that answer could be YES.
If you believe Spieth’s “long and straight” assertion, then you might want to look at the contenders in the Tuesday Long Drive contest, a PGA tradition.
Ben An edged Rory McIlroy by a mere two yards — 347 to 345.
Nicolas Colsaerts, the European Tour’s “Muscles from Brussels” hit it 341. Brendan Steele cranked one 338 and South African Brandon Stone launched his 334 yards. It had to be in the fairway to count.
There are 20 PGA Club Professionals in the field. They will struggle, perhaps a couple will make the 36-hole cut. Rich Berberian Jr. won their championship this year.
But that’s the way it often turns out in the majors.
It’s not about who can win, it’s about how many are not capable of winning on a golf course with the demands that will be presented by old historic Baltusrol.
But don’t be surprised if there is a low score out there on Thursday.
During the first round of the 1980 U.S. Open there were a pair of 63s, the first came from Tom Weiskopf and right behind him came the eventual winner, Jack Nicklaus. A footnote shows that Nicklaus missed from inside four feet for a 62.
The name we have left for the finish is defending champion Jason Day.
Day is weary and it showed when he did not practice at Baltusrol on either Monday or Tuesday.
Can a couple of days off help him?
Probably not.
This year, there will be a new champion.
Who it is, remains to be contested over four tough days.
