It’s kind of hard to fathom we’re at another major championship as it seems the Masters just ended rather recently. Tiger Woods is still basking in the glory and got a Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump for being a great golfer but a disastrous husband. Go figure that one out.
With the new PGA schedule, the PGA Championship is now in May. It takes a little getting used to, but I like it in the long run as it keeps golf relevant in August with the Fed Ex Cup which will finish before football season commences. I like that we have another major right now.
Brooks Koepka is the defending champion at the PGA and has won 3 out of the last 7 majors he’s competed in. He won the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills, Wisconsin, the 2018 U.S. at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island and the PGA Championship at Bellerive Golf Club in St. Louis last August. He missed the 2018 Masters with a wrist injury.
Bethpage Black will be the host site. The 7,432 yard, par 70 layout sets up well for the big hitters as length will be an major asset on this lengthy track.I guess you can say when is length not an asset, but on this long course that is somewhat saturated from rain, longer players will have an advantage hitting into the greens.
Hole 4 is the signature hole, a 517 yard par 5 with bunkers everywhere and a difficult tee shot and approach. No.17 is a 207 yard par 3 considered very difficult with it playing as short as 160 or as long as 225 depending on where the pin is positioned. No.18 is a 411 yard par 4, and an awesome finishing hole with chances of birdies, but also chances of disaster on Sunday.
Woods won the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage and Lucas Glover won the 2009 Open here.
The weather looks pretty good overall. Thursday is 67 and partly sunny, winds 8-10, Friday chance of showers or t storm, wind 10-18. Saturday and Sunday are nice. 69 and 68 and partially sunny. Winds 8-10.
TV:
Thursday, 12-6 PM CT, TNT
Friday, 12-6:30 PM CT, TNT;
Saturday-Sunday, 10 AM-1 PM CT, TNT; 1-6 PM CT CBS.
Winner
Sometimes I favor the out of the box thinking in predictions, but I’m going to stay within the box. The 29 year old from West Palm Beach via Florida State won the PGA last year shooting 69,63, 66, 66 defeating Eldrick by 2 shots with 3 straight birdies on 15 through 17. I really like the fact that he played last week and shot 65,66,68,65, -20 for a 4th place finish at the AT&T Byron Nelson 3 back of winner Sung Kang. He was a barely missed 20 foot birdie putt on 18 at Augusta National of sending himself into a playoff with Eldrick.
He’s like Alabama and Clemson, he delivers. I’m taking this stalliion to win major number 4 in 8 tries.
Brooks Koepka
Like Koepka at Bethpage Black (Photo, PGA Tour).