“But just like at the (British) Open Championship, when I get there, it’s just going to be about that tournament, and that’s all that will be on my mind … not thinking about three in a row (or) grand slam”.
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Four-times major champion McIlroy will also draw intense scrutiny at Whistling Straits as he returns to competitive golf after an absence of more than seven weeks. He did just happen to finish one shot behind the leaders in the 2010 PGA Championship, so he obviously plays well on the course.
Hideki Matsuyama has made the cut in his last ten stroke play tournaments. Adding to the challenging conditions, the course is anything but flat.
That playoff loss was Oostuizen’s second in a major, as he was edged out by Bubba Watson in sudden death for the 2012 Masters after the American left-hander had pulled off a wonder shot from pine straw on the second extra hole. Both Singh and Kaymer are in the field trying to regain some former glory. Golf carts are not allowed on the Straits Course and players are required to hire a caddie for $65 plus tip unless your playing at twilight when you can use a pull cart. That should keep the focus on the actual tournament, which starts Thursday amid plenty of hype.
“They move over time”, Willis said.
Jordan Spieth gave himself ideal momentum heading into the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits as he signed off with his best score of the week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday.
In addition to the world No. 1 ranking, McIlroy ranks 12th in the FedEx Cup standings, even after missing more than a month of action.
Not knowing the rule proved damaging for Johnson in 2010.
The PGA Championship, like other majors, doesn’t require players to officially commit. Last year, Rickie Fowler finished in the top five in all four majors and tied for the third-best total ever (1,108) – and didn’t win. “Dustin Johnson faltered over the weekend but he’s here working hard right now”.
Host venue for the PGA Championship in 2004 and 2010, Whistling Straits is modeled on an Irish seaside links and will once again provide a stiff test with its soaring sand dunes, fast-running fescue fairways and deep pot bunkers.
McIlroy has not played since the U.S. Open.
Graeme McDowell waited for Lowry after his two-shot win to offer his congratulations.
Johnson blamed his final miss, from 4 feet, on the conditions: “It just bounced and missed left”. He definitely has the skill set to win a major championship. He will make a charge on Sunday, but will be held off by the eventual champion. But nowadays, the players seem to be embracing it more.
“To see what he does in the game and how he plays the game – when you’re hanging around people like that, I hang around with Padraig (Harrington), Rory, GMac – it definitely helps you”.
The US Open has long been Phil Mickelson’s white whale. He has been working on his conditioning and his short game, particularly recently on a rehabilitation trip to Portugal.
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Jordan Spieth tees off on the eighth hole during the final round of…
