Later this week, golf fans around the world will be watching the world’s best golfers compete in the final major of the season.
Each year, the PGA Championship hosts the toughest field of players and always presents a challenge to even the best players.
This year, the championship is going to be held in my hometown of Pittsford, NY at Oak Hill Country Club, which has hosted five PGA major championships, two U.S. Amateurs, two Senior Tour major championships and one Ryder Cup.
The most recent PGA event held at this venue was the 2003 PGA Championship, when Shaun Micheel stunned the world by winning his first and only PGA Tour event.
There are several players that look to be on their way to winning the Wanamaker Trophy this year, but Oak Hill will play unlike most top courses, which makes it almost impossible to predict the champion.
Brandt Snedeker is one of the players that I think can pull off the victory, especially after he won his second PGA Tour event of the season on Sunday at the Canadian Open.
He has been one of the most consistent players on tour during the last six years. He is one of the best putters on tour, and currently he sits at No. 7 overall in the World Golf Rankings. Snedeker is also a player that doesn’t let a bad hole or two get to his head, as he usually responds and birdies the next hole after a bogey, which could be a key to success at Oak Hill.
Tiger Woods is the world’s No. 1 golfer, but I don’t see how he can win at Oak Hill. He consistently has had trouble at courses with tight landing areas and trouble off of the fairway.
Oak Hill is a prime example of that type of course.
The 13th hole at Oak Hill’s famed East course is one that may be a factor in who wins the championship. It is a monster of a hole, as a par-five measured at 598 yards from the back tees.
This was a green that in 2003 was basically unreachable in two shots, but with enhanced technology throughout the past decade, it is very plausible that the green could be hit in two and could even be eagled several times by these players.
The 2012 PGA Championship was won by Rory McIlroy, but he has struggled to put a full week of quality golf together since last season. However, after he missed the cut at the British Open, I think there really is nowhere to go but up for McIlroy.
The course is very attackable, especially from holes 14 through 18 and I think it can play out perfectly for Rory to finally make his comeback.
In 2003 Phil Mickelson fired a 66 in the first round at Oak Hill and after winning his first British Open just two weeks ago, I have no doubt that he will have the confidence to possibly win his sixth career major.
I believe that the five players with the best chance to succeed in this situation are Phil Mickelson, Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
Even though I may have written off Tiger and Rory in the past, I still believe that you cannot ever count them out of a major championship.
ab109410@ohiou.edu
