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The PGA Championship, often called ‘Glory’s Last Shot’ being the last of the four Majors of the year, is almost always overshadowed by the history and traditions of the other three Majors.
But ask any of the professionals, the thought is changing rapidly as the event has been gaining in stature in the past few years.
Without doubt, the PGA Championship has the best field of all four Majors – mainly because it exempts a huge majority of players on the basis of their form in the past one year. And the course set-up is also the fairest – no ungainly rough and much more accessible pin positions than you will ever see at the Masters, the US or the British Open.
Oakland Hills should be a great test, and a golden chance for someone other than Tiger Woods to take the trophy on Sunday.
Of course, the world No 1 is missing in action because of his knee surgery, but the PGA Championship has regularly thrown up unlikely champions.
Based on the performance at the WGC-Bridgestone, ‘Old Man’ Vijay Singh – already a two-time PGA Champion – should be one of the favourites.
What a thriller it was at the Firestone. Three great champs – Vijay, Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood – fought for the lead throughout the final round, and Westwood almost forced a play-off but missed a 15-footer birdie putt on the final hole.
So much has been said about Vijay’s age and form, but the Fijian once again proved his critics wrong with a phenomenal display.
I saw some of the action on telly, and I thought he was hitting the ball absolutely beautiful, even though he credits the return of his trusted old belly putter for the win.
Westwood is in superb form this season, and he would be itching to get over the disappointment of the British Open. I definitely think he can be one of the factors this week.
Blessing in disguise
Personally, missing the cut at the Sun Chlorella Classic on the Japanese Tour was perhaps the best thing that happened to me.
My right ankle is still troubling me, and two extra days of work before playing a Major championship is a blessing in disguise.
I did not play a single practice round before the tournament – not even the pro-am – and was spending more time with the physio than hitting balls at the range.
The past three weeks, my practice schedule has been limited to chipping and putting, and just about 50-70 balls. If I was fit, I would be hitting at least 300 balls every day.
While I am feeling quite confident going into the PGA Championship this week at the Oakland Hills, I would have liked to be in better shape physically. I am hitting the ball well, but would have obviously liked to be sharper by hitting more balls on the range.
If it was any other tournament, I would have listened to my doctor and taken the four-week rest. But this being a Major championship, I needed to play.
And the week after that, I am into the Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour, which again is a not-to-miss opportunity. I will take my rest after that.
(Jeev Milkha Singh is a three-time winner on the European Tour)
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