The PGA Championship starts today as we close out the major season a bit early. Those Olympics are screwing up everything…but that’s another rant.
It wouldn’t be a major without the Links Life Golf Crew Picks so here we go.
Fresh off his big win at the Open Championship is G. Rennie:
So far this is the season of first time major winners and I think the trend is likely to continue. So my first three picks are from the ranks of the best golfers to not have a major victory.
Sergio Garcia- the fiery Spaniard has been a fairly low energy interview this week at Baltusrol and maybe that’s the way he deflects some of the continuous pressure he feels in his quest foe that first major title. He’s a great ball striker, an improved putter and maybe it’s his time to catch some magic and a major break.
Branden Grace- had a great 2015 major season with a 3rd place at last year’s PGA held at Whistling Straits, a 4th at Chamber’s Bay in the U.S. Open and tied 18th at The Masters. Baltusrol is a big brute of a course that fits his personality and his game.
Brandt Snedeker-one of the best putters on Tour, Snedeker is in fine form with a tie 5th place finish at last week’s Canadian Open and a tied 22nd finish at The OPEN the week before. His final round 69 in near monsoon conditions at Torrey Pines earlier this season was one of the great rounds played on Tour this year. After squandering the 54 hole lead last week, the 2012 FedEx Cup Champ is steamed and looking for a chance at redemption for letting that title slip away.
Dustin Johnson- two major titles in a single season is within reach for the hottest player on Tour. Not many have pulled a major double in their careers but this big swinging good ‘olé boy is leading the game into new territory with his prodigious length that is now matched with the best wedge game in the game. A win here will cement his place as PGA Tour player of the year, give him the top spot in the World Rankings, and begin paving his path to Golf Hall of Fame.
Dark Horse- Gary Woodland has the length to contend on this 7500-yard behemoth, and top 15 showing at Royal Troon is a confidence boost.
At #6 in the OWGR, Bubba Watson is my pick of the top 15 who will miss the cut. Bubba is a temperamental lefty whose mind has to be right for him to perform. His major funk (outside of Augusta) will continue.
Big Dick likes Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Steve Stricker and Bubba. He sees Branden Grace missing the cut and Paddy Harrington is his dark horse.
Lil Skins is back on the Phil the Thrill Train and likes DJ, Sergio and Rory. Lee Westwood is his dark horse. He thinks Jordan Spieth will end his major season on Friday and miss the cut.
The Greek likes Phil too along with Jason Day, Bubba and DJ. He likes Tony Finau as his dark horse and sees Rickie Fowler missing the cut.
Gordo is another player on the Phil Mickelson Train along with Kevin Chappel, Scott Piercy and Bubba. Russell Henley is his dark horse and he thinks Henrik Stenson is still hungover and will miss the cut.
Big Skins: I like the long hitting DJ as he can eat up any course and is playing with a new confidence. Rory gets more pissed off with each passing major he doesn’t win and I think he could end his two year major drought. Adam Scott drives it too well not to be a contender and I’ll go with Louie Oosthuizen to get his second major..
Kevin Chappell could keep the string of first timers going and I’ll play him as my dark horse and Bubba could just as well win this thing or miss the cut. I’ll go with the latter.
Let’s hope the PGA is as exciting as the Open Championship.
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