Editor’s Note: Alf Musketa’s matchups will be available Tuesday night, plus his pick pack will offer up possible daily picks and props. Don’t miss out on his PGA Championship selections. Click to win!
I think last week's test at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational held at the Firestone G&CC was important in our handicapping for this week's PGA Championship. The fairways are similar, the greens firm and fast and 47 of the Top 50 players in the world were there.
The PGA Championship will be at Oakland Hill's South Course "monster" as dubbed by sports writer Willard Mullin and then Ben Hogan brought it to it's knees winning the 1951 U.S. Open.
PGA Tour pro Peter Lonard was quoted this past week saying that Oakland Hills is "the hardest golf course on earth." Daniel Chopra who recently played a practice round said, "it is tougher than Augusta National or the U.S. Open's Torrey Pines. He also mentioned the fairway bunkers are strategically placed and all of them are deep and penal." Jack Nicklaus said, "It has the toughest set of greens in competition."
The rough will be cut to 3.5 - four inches, which is significantly thicker that Firestone. The Par 70 layout measures 7,395 yards. Recent changes from Rees Jones are adding bunkers, lengthening 13 holes, bunkers deepened, ponds extended and the greens should be running at 13 on the stimpmeter.
The European players are looking forward to Oakland Hills it was the site of their dominant 18.5 to 9.5 2004 Ryder Cup win.
I'll be looking for players that can hit plenty of fairways and putt well on tough fast undulating greens.
Phil Mickelson 8/1
Phil bogeyed three of the last four holes on Sunday and blew his chances to win his first WGC title. He hit only 51% of his fairways last week, so I cannot recommend him at Oakland Hills.
Vijay Singh 20/1
A Vijay win last week spells trouble for the rest of the field. He is getting more confident in his new up-right swing and he practices more as he wins more.
Lee Westwood 30/1
Lee has finished in the Top 10 in nine of his 14 events this year!....and three of those were runner-ups.
Stuart Appleby 50/1
Last week at Firestone was only his second Top 10 this year but, his swing looked dead on plane to me and he rarely missed a green. If he putts well, he could win his first major.
Ernie Els 25/1
Els put together rounds of 69, 74, 69 and 68...throw out the 74 and he is right there. After making bogeys at six, seven, eight and nine he did not tank it and shot a 31 on his final nine holes.
Sleepers
Woody Austin 80/1
Woody battled Tiger last year right down to the wire at Southern Hills in the PGA Championship. He is the most underrated ball striker on Tour.
Rocco Mediate 100/1
Yes, Rocco will somehow be there on Sunday. He plays the toughest course well because he puts the ball in play, short off the tee, but in play to have a chance to advance the ball.
Avoid
Andres Romero, Colin Montgomerie, Boo Weekly, Martin Kaymer, Fredrik Jacobson, David Toms (returning form injury), Ryuji Imada, Davis Love III.
