Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tony Jones Columnist
Published Wednesday, August 06, 2008
It's too early for golf's final major, isn't it?
Is it just me or is it insanely early in August for the final golf major of the year to be contested?
PGA Tour officials obviously wanted to get the PGA Championship underway before the Summer Olympics were fully cranked up.
The plan worked as the first tee shots will go in the air this morning, and other than preliminary soccer games, golf is the first sport out of the block.
Swimming and gymnastics dominate the first week of the games. Both are extremely entertaining but I for one can't wait to see who triumphs at Oakland Hills.
I couldn't have been more off a couple of weeks ago concerning Justin Rose at the British Open. Rose did little more than make the cut.
I'm not too concerned with picking a winner at this time. At this point I just want the individual to be an American. Is that so much to ask
Oakland Hills isn't exactly my favorite venue for a major. As a fan of Tom Lehman, when I hear Oakland Hills, one thing comes to mind. The 1996 U.S. Open registers high in my memory.
Lehman led Steve Jones by one going to the final round but ended up a stroke short of sending the tournament to a playoff and had to settle for a tie for second with Davis Love III as Jones hoisted the Wanamaker trophy.
Tiger Woods is absent so automatically we can look to world No. 2 Phil Mickelson. I have to admit I was on assignment and missed the final two rounds last weekend of the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron. I was shocked to learn Mickelson led late and failed to take things home.
Hopefully that pattern won't repeat at Oakland Hills. Mickelson has the short game and if he can correct a few of his errant drives then I would concede he's the player to beat.
Kenny Perry has been swinging a hot stick. This will be his first major of the season. Perry has previously focused his game on preparing for the Ryder Cup in his home state of Kentucky. I support his decision.
I would love to see a strong showing from Chris DiMarco. The former Florida Gator has knocked on the door of this title before, failing in 2005 to birdie a late par 5 on Sunday which resulted in a one shot loss to Woods.
DiMarco has been off his game this year but I noticed he finished just out of the top 10 last week. That effort intrigues me. He's definitely got the competitive fire needed to win a major. Who wouldn't mind seeing him somewhere around the leaderboard this Sunday.
Has Love III missed his final chance at a major? Maybe his best opportunities are behind him but not his final chance. Love III can contend at Oakland Hills. He nearly won the before mentioned 1996 U.S. Open on the same course.
If you have no rooting concern this weekend perhaps I can offer a different angle.
Local golf fans may be interested in following the likes of Georgia PGA players who are in the field. Sonny Skinner (Sylvester) and Tim Weinhart (Alpharetta) head the list.
Both came to the Newnan Country Club earlier this summer to compete for the title of the Yamaha Atlanta Open. Weinhart played well but Matt Peterson of Athens prevailed here in Newnan. Both tuned up for Oakland Hills in Adairsville at the Georgia Open this past weekend. Neither beat our top local finisher, Troy Bartkowicz, who tied for fifth.
David Toms is another American who would have an outside chance. Toms hasn't played much competitive golf of late but has the package to win a PGA Championship.
We know that for a fact. He won the 2001 PGA Championship held at Atlanta Athletic Club. Who was second that year? None other than Phil Mickelson.
I wouldn't mind seeing that combination repeat itself this weekend.