Wednesday, August 16, 2006
PGA Championship Picks
The PGA Championship begins tomorrow at Medinah Country Club.
Medinah is a long course with huge trees that line most fairways. Putting is always paramount in championship golf, but driving the ball long and straight will be just as important this week. Also, this is the last week PGA Tour players can earn points for the Ryder Cup, and that will affect golfers on the bubble.
Here is my analysis of some contenders along with my pick to be win the PGA Championship.
Tim Clark: This guy is smart and tough, and he drives the ball straight (although not long). I think he will putt well enough to offset his short hitting - top 30 finish.
Kenny Perry: Drives it straight and long, which will go a long way this week. Most of his wins have come on tough courses, so he could be a dark horse this weekend - top 15.
Sergio Garcia: Garcia was in the hunt in the PGA at Medinah in 1999 as a 19-year old. Be prepared to watch tape of him scissors-kicking after a great shot that year....it will be played at least a dozen times this weekend. Sergio has not been able to find the fairway or make short putts this year, so this trip to Medinah will be less fruitful - out of top 25.
Vijay Singh: #4 player in the world has won this tournament twice before. He is not at the top of his game, but I think he will get his driver in gear this week and compete - top 30.
Retief Goosen: #5 player in the world has struggled a good bit this week. His game is built for the toughest courses when he is playing well, but he has a poor finish, perhaps missing the cut.
Phil Mickelson: Defending champion and #2 player in the world. Phil could not find a fairway when it mattered at the US Open. He will have to do better to compete this week, and he will - top 10.
Stewart Cink: He is longer than most people think, and he is a great putter. He has moved into contention for the Ryder Cup with a string of good finishes, and I think he will be in the hunt again this weekend - top 15.
Ernie Els: Traditionally Ernie's weakest major. He is finally playing better, but he is still not in top form - top 25.
Tiger Woods: Tiger won the PGA at Medinah in 1999, and he has been on fire lately. Combining his length with his ability to make pressure putts makes him Vegas' favorite. I think he will spend just a tad too much time in the rough this week - top 5.
Jim Furyk: One of only two players (Chris DiMarco is the other) who can match Tiger mentally. He has won other tournaments in Chicago, including a US Open, and he is perhaps the best driver in the game. He has finished in the top four of his last four starts, including two majors. I like him to get his second major title this weekend.
Medinah is a long course with huge trees that line most fairways. Putting is always paramount in championship golf, but driving the ball long and straight will be just as important this week. Also, this is the last week PGA Tour players can earn points for the Ryder Cup, and that will affect golfers on the bubble.
Here is my analysis of some contenders along with my pick to be win the PGA Championship.
Tim Clark: This guy is smart and tough, and he drives the ball straight (although not long). I think he will putt well enough to offset his short hitting - top 30 finish.
Kenny Perry: Drives it straight and long, which will go a long way this week. Most of his wins have come on tough courses, so he could be a dark horse this weekend - top 15.
Sergio Garcia: Garcia was in the hunt in the PGA at Medinah in 1999 as a 19-year old. Be prepared to watch tape of him scissors-kicking after a great shot that year....it will be played at least a dozen times this weekend. Sergio has not been able to find the fairway or make short putts this year, so this trip to Medinah will be less fruitful - out of top 25.
Vijay Singh: #4 player in the world has won this tournament twice before. He is not at the top of his game, but I think he will get his driver in gear this week and compete - top 30.
Retief Goosen: #5 player in the world has struggled a good bit this week. His game is built for the toughest courses when he is playing well, but he has a poor finish, perhaps missing the cut.
Phil Mickelson: Defending champion and #2 player in the world. Phil could not find a fairway when it mattered at the US Open. He will have to do better to compete this week, and he will - top 10.
Stewart Cink: He is longer than most people think, and he is a great putter. He has moved into contention for the Ryder Cup with a string of good finishes, and I think he will be in the hunt again this weekend - top 15.
Ernie Els: Traditionally Ernie's weakest major. He is finally playing better, but he is still not in top form - top 25.
Tiger Woods: Tiger won the PGA at Medinah in 1999, and he has been on fire lately. Combining his length with his ability to make pressure putts makes him Vegas' favorite. I think he will spend just a tad too much time in the rough this week - top 5.
Jim Furyk: One of only two players (Chris DiMarco is the other) who can match Tiger mentally. He has won other tournaments in Chicago, including a US Open, and he is perhaps the best driver in the game. He has finished in the top four of his last four starts, including two majors. I like him to get his second major title this weekend.
