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Is it just because this is the first time it has happened, or does the PGA Championship, for so long so desperate to re-invigorate itself, genuinely feel transformed with its new position in the calendar? Of course the Tiger effect cannot be underestimated. His success at Augusta National gave the sport a huge boost and whilst it frustrates so many committed golf fans that his performance overwhelms coverage, the deep truth is that he utterly bewilders the casual golf fan and provides the game with interest it would otherwise lack. Can he win again? For the first time the tournament is to be played at Bethpage Black, but the AW Tillinghast creation is no stranger to the PGA Tour. It hosted the US Open in 2002 and 2009 (won by Tiger Woods in the former, by Lucas Glover in the latter) and The Barclays in 2012 and 2016 (Nick Watney won the first, Patrick Reed the second). In 2002 only Tiger Woods competed 72-holes under-par whilst in 2009 Glover prevailed in a final round that included a blast-from-the-past attempt at success from David Duval. Glover has already spoken to the press and his words are worth bearing in mind. He said: “I’ve just played nine holes and the golf course is perfect. I love it. It’s soft but it's almost kind of fun when it is that soft because the ball just kind of goes where you hit it. You get extra rewarded for a good shot, and a bad shot is kind of still bad. So still fair. “You do have to drive it really well around here, but you've got to iron it good, chip and putt good and all that stuff. These first few days there will be a lot of long clubs in, so it will be a lot of advantage if you're striking your irons well, especially your long irons.”
Angles to consider Length It seems assured that distance from the tee will matter this week. In the last five years the four winners of this event have ranked high for that category: Brooks Koepka second, Justin Thomas first, Jason Day fifth, Rory McIlroy first. Moreover, in the 2016 Barclays seven of the top nine averaged over 300-yards for the week. But those words of Lucas Glover are perhaps just as telling. A long carry might be a key requirement. Putting Average A week of getting the ball out there and then getting it quickly in the hole. The last five winners have solid rankings when using the flat stick: Brooks Koepka third, Justin Thomas second, Jimmy Walker ninth, Jason Day fifth, Rory McIlroy eighth. Form Current form and also in the majors. Nine of the last ten winners had a top 20 in one of their two previous starts and five of the last six had a top ten in one of their previous two major starts.
Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. Brooks Koepka Favoured over Dustin Johnson because although they have similar profiles in many ways (both carry the ball miles, both drain plenty of putts when hot, both have form), Koepka has discovered the secret of performing in the majors and Johnson continues to find methods of not quite putting it all together. They’re the same price so would you take Koepka’s seven top fives (three wins) in 21 starts or Johnson’s eight (one win) in 39? Xander Schauffele He ranks 27th for Driving Distance on the Course Compatibility 1 table and ninth for Putting Average. He was second at Augusta National and second at last year’s Open at Carnoustie. He’s also twice finished sixth in the US Open. Of his four wins, three were against elite fields (2017 Tour Championship, 2018 WGC HSBC Champions, 2019 Tournament of Champions). Jon Rahm The Spaniard admitted that his first experiences of major championships proved something of a trial for him as he rather over-thought the whole process. But increasingly he seems at home in that situation. His first six appearances failed to reap even one top 20 and now his last five have seen him make three top tens. At the Masters he has managed fourth last year and ninth this, he added another fourth at last year’s edition of this event. Has finished T12 or better in ten of his last 12 starts, hits the ball high and long.
Tips: 1-2; +18.00 2pt win Brooks Koepka at 11/1 (PaddyPower, Unibet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6) 1st 1pt e.w. Xander Schauffele at 30/1 (Willliam Hill 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) 16th 1pt e.w. Jon Rahm at 20/1 (Ladbrokes, William Hill 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) mc
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