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2007 PGA Championship Preview

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The 89th installment of the PGA Championship starts this Thursday at Southern Hills Golf Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Southern Hills will be the first course to host four PGA Championships, and this tremendous track has also played host to three U.S. Opens.

The 7131 yard, par 70, is not the longest of the major championship courses, but it will still present a stern test to the competitors.  Some are saying that this week’s event, with its difficult rough, tree lined fairways, sloped and slanted greens, as well as the intangible factor of the Oklahoma summer heat, all make Southern Hills one of the toughest sites of the year.  Despite all these factors, Phil Mickelson appears to be an early fan of the set up this week, "I think it’s one of the best set-ups we’ve seen," said the 2005 PGA champion, who visited Southern Hills recently. "The rough is such that you might have a shot at the green or be able to do something with it. It’s going to help to separate the players who are playing well because you can hit some shots instead of just everybody getting the same result (and having to chop out)."

 The PGA Championship is known for some great finishes and great storylines; this week should be no different.  Take 1991 where a virtual unknown, John Daly, burst onto the golf scene and bombed his way around Crooked Stick and into the hearts of golf fans all over the world.  Or there is possibly the greatest final shot in major championship history; Shaun Micheel’s stone cold seven iron to one inch, on the 72nd hole, to clinch his first major victory.  Then there were the back to back battles in 1999 and 2000.  In ’99, Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods wowed the fans in at Medinah, with a battle that was not only memorable and impressive, but extremely fun to watch as well.  Golf shots that amazed even the savviest of golf connoisseurs, the ’99 Medinah PGA Championship final round was nothing short of spectacular. Then just the next year in 2000, during his dominating stretch, Tiger Woods was nearly humbled by Bob May, a PGA tour journeyman, who played some of the best golf of his life and let us bear witness to one of the greatest duels in major golf history.  This week has the potential to be all of those things and more, as the world’s greatest players are not only competing, but coming to Southern Hills firing on all cylinders. 

 Fresh off of a dominating performance, Tiger Woods has to be the favorite this week.  His work last week at the world golf championships is showing us two things.  One, Tiger is back and playing some of the golf we had become used to seeing from him.   Second he is sending a message to the rest of the golfers that he is primed and ready to capture his next major and get one closer to Jack’s total.  Even though he has been 0 for 3 this year at the majors, he seems to be taking it in stride, “You never want to be shut out," Woods said at the Bridgestone at Firestone Country Club. "You never want to have a year where you don’t win a major championship. This year, I’ve come close in two, and it just didn’t happen. I’ve been in this situation before."  That is not a good mindset for the world number one to have when it comes to the rest of the field.  Tiger typically achieves what he sets his mind to, and if he is gunning to not be shut out, some of the other players are going to have to step up this week and give him a run for his money.

 Players to watch this week should include Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Zach Johnson, Scott Verplank, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, and Sergio Garcia.  All of these players have been playing well as of late and come into the last major looking to tame Southern Hills and last weeks winner, Tiger Woods.  Each has something to prove, but Garcia has the largest monkey on his back right now, after his defeat at the Open Championship.  "It’s been getting better every day," said Garcia. "The first day was really tough, but my head is starting to go a little bit more where I want it to be. I’m hitting the ball well and rolling the putter nicely. It’s just a matter of getting it going.”  Only time will tell if he is completely healed from his wounds that were caused at the Open Championship, one can only wish him some luck.  Hunter Mahan on the other hand is coming into this event brimming with confidence, "You realize, ‘I’m also here to win,’" Mahan said. "I’m here because I can win. And I’m stepping on that tee with a purpose to do that. I’m not here to finish second to Tiger Woods."   You have to like to confidence, just might not want to give Tiger any fuel to get himself even more fired up.  The other above mentioned players all come in playing well, and if they are on top of their game could give Tiger the best run for his money. 

Another interesting aspect of this tournament is the 20 PGA professionals that get to tee it up this week via qualifying through the National Club Professional Championship, or CPC as it is know to the pros.  This event allows the top 20 players to compete at Southern Hills and is the biggest event of the year for the club pros.  It is one of the only remnants of the deal between the PGA Tour and the PGA of America when they amicably split in 1968, due to the increasing popularity of the PGA tour and the issue of sharing the spotlight with the less popular club professionals.  One of the positives from that deal is the accommodation for a number of the club professionals to play in the PGA Championship, a small way to say thank you for all of that work that they do as a club professional.  Keep an eye out for Mike Small,  Erik Wolf,  Chip Sullivan, Ryan Benzel, Tim Thelen, and Butch Sheehan, just to mention a few of the great players that will have the chance to tee it up this week inside the ropes. 

Past winners at Southern Hills include, Dave Stockton (winner of the PGA 1970), Raymond Floyd (winner of the PGA in 1982), Nick Price (winner of the PGA in 1994), Timmy Bolt (winner of the US Open in 1958), Hubert Green (winner of the US Open in 1977), and Retief Goosen (winner of the US Open in 2001).  As you can see there is a varied bunch of winners at Southern Hills, which helps reveal some of its charm and luster.  Anyone can win at this golf course, and that is partly why it is exciting.  It is a fair golf course, where great shots are rewarded.  The winner this week will have all of his skills tested, and he will be the one that handles all of the factors, including the heat, better than anyone else.  Who is going to come out on top?  No one will be able to tell you until Sunday afternoon, but I can tell you that it will be exciting watching all the drama unfold, and find out who the PGA champion, and final major winner for 2007. 

Television Times

  • Thursday, August 9   TNT      2PM – 8PM ET
  • Friday, August 10       TNT      2PM – 8PM ET
  • Saturday, August 11   TNT     11AM – 2PM ET
  • Saturday, August 11   CBS     2PM – 7PM
  • Sunday, August 12     TNT     11AM – 2PM ET
  • Sunday, August 12     CBS     2PM – 7PM

 

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Morning 9: 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour | Rory on possible return to policy board

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Friday morning, golf fans, may a bountiful weekend of golf be in store for you!

1. 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour

KFT staff report…”Frankie Capan III went crazy low Thursday on the Korn Ferry Tour. Nearly in record fashion.”

  • “Capan carded 13-under 58 in the opening round of the Veritex Bank Championship, matching the second lowest score in Korn Ferry Tour history. He fell one shy of Cristobal Del Solar’s record 57, set at the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard earlier this year, but it was a heck of a show nonetheless.”
  • “The Minnesota native played an eight-hole stretch in 9-under Thursday, following an eagle at the par-5 ninth with seven straight birdies to begin the back nine at par-71 Texas Rangers Golf Club. He “cooled off” with a two-putt par at the long par-4 17th hole. He arrived at the par-5 18th hole at 13 under for the round, but he found a fairway bunker off the tee, laid up to 134 yards and missed his third shot left of the green. He chipped to 7 feet and drained the par putt to match the Korn Ferry Tour’s second-lowest score of 58, carded by Stephan Jaeger in the opening round of the 2016 Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae.”
Full piece.

2. Team McIlowery starts strong

Paul Hodowanic for PGATour.com…”Late Thursday afternoon in New Orleans, Rory McIlroy rested his head on Shane Lowry’s shoulder.”

  • “It wasn’t the typical post-round moment, but this isn’t the typical event. McIlroy and Lowry teamed up for this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the PGA TOUR’s lone team event, and the all-Irish duo put on a show. Sporting matching pink-on-navy getups, McIlroy/Lowry opened in a best-ball 11-under 61 in Thursday’s Four-ball format at TPC Louisiana.”
  • “This partnership might have stemmed from a boozy brunch last fall, but their opening-round performance at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans gave the field a sobering reminder: They’ll be tough to top.”
Full piece.

3. LPGA Tour: Grace Kim in front

AP report…”Grace Kim shot a 7-under 64 at Wilshire Country Club to take the first-round lead Thursday in the LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”

  • “Playing in the morning session, the 23-year-old Australian capped her bogey-free round with a chip-in birdie on the par-3 18th.”
  • “Well, I chunked my tee shot on the last hole 20 meters short and then I chipped it in it,” Kim said. “I think that’s pretty cool, in front of everyone
Full piece.

4. McIlroy on rejoining policy board

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Rory McIlroy said Wednesday that he is willing to rejoin the PGA Tour policy board if the other player directors want him.”

  • “As first reported by the Guardian, Webb Simpson has submitted a letter stating that he’d like to resign from the board, but only if his vacant seat is filled by McIlroy, who stepped down last fall because of the toll it had taken on him professionally and personally.”
  • “Five months later, what has changed?”
  • “I think I can be helpful,” McIlroy said Wednesday ahead of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he is partnering with Shane Lowry. “I don’t think there’s been much progress made in the last eight months, and I was hopeful that there would be. I think I could be helpful to the process. But only if people want me involved, I guess.”
Full piece.

5. Charlie Woods shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier

Golfweek’s Cameron Jourdan…”Charlie Woods is going to have to wait to play in the U.S. Open.”

“The 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods played Thursday in local qualifying for the United States Golf Association’s national championship, set for June 13-16 at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. Charlie played at The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and he shot 9-over 81.”

“Charlie’s round featured a bogey on his opening hole, the par-4 first. He then doubled the par-5 second. A pair of pars followed before his lone birdie on the front, but another double the next hole, the par-4 sixth, had him turn in 4-over 40.”

Full piece.

6. Photos from the Zurich Classic

GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.

Check out all our photos at the link below!

Full piece.
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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

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GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.

As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.

Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying about our photos from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in the forums.

 

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Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as the PGA Tour heads to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic.

1. 15-year-old finishes top 20 on KFT

Jay Coffin for Golf Digest…”During a week when most eyes were on Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, the 15-year-old lefty finished off an incredible week with a five-under 66 in the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood Ranch in Florida.”

  • “After opening with 68-66-70, Russell finished at 14-under-par total to tie for 20th place. The finish in which he jumped 28 positions on the leaderboard on the final day, gives him an exemption into next week’s Veritex Bank Championship at Rangers Park in Arlington, Texas. He’s the youngest player to finish inside the top 20 on the PGA of Korn Ferry tours, according to records that go back to 1983.”
Full piece.

2. Understandably, Nelly WDs

Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner…”Nelly Korda’s bid for a record-setting sixth consecutive win will have to wait a few weeks.”

  • “A day after capturing the Chevron Championship during a marathon final round in Houston, Korda announced on social media that she was withdrawing from this week’s JM Eagle LA Championship.”
  • “It was not an easy decision,” she wrote. “After the unbelievable week at the Chevron and grinding through the mental and physical challenges of four events in the past five weeks, I am definitely feeling exhausted. With so much still to come throughout 2024, I feel I need to listen to my body and get some rest, so I can be ready for the remainder of the season.”
Full piece.

3. Scheffler’s impressive No. 1 feat

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”After Scheffler’s victory Monday morning at the RBC Heritage, Scheffler upped his points average to 15.016 and increased his advantage in the Official World Golf Ranking over No. 2 Rory McIlroy to more than double McIlroy’s 7.365 average, meaning Scheffler is ranked further ahead of No. 2 than No. 2 is ahead of the last-ranked player.”

  • “The last time a No. 1 player had a greater points average was Woods, who was at 15.4564 on Dec. 6, 2009. But Woods was less than seven average points ahead of No. 2 Phil Mickelson at the time. Earlier that year, Woods was 7.735 ahead of Mickelson, which is the last time the gap between Nos. 1 and 2 was greater than Scheffler’s current 7.651 advantage.”
Full piece.

4. Zurich field notes

PGATour.com’s Adam Stanley…”Rory McIlroy will make his tournament debut alongside good pal, Ryder Cup teammate, and Irishman Shane Lowry – a duo that was firmed up during a celebratory lunch after the Ryder Cup last fall… Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will try to reprise their 2022 win here. Cantlay and Schauffele have both the Foursomes and Four-ball scoring records at this event… Davis Riley and Nick Hardy will defend their 2023 title. No team has gone back-to-back… Three sets of brothers (and two sets of twins!) will play together with twins Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard and Parker and Pierceson Coody in the field along with Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick. Alex Fitzpatrick and Rasmus Højgaard are sponsor invites…”

  • “Billy Horschel, who won last week at the Corales Puntacana Championship, will be without his previous partner Sam Burns, as Burns and his wife are expecting their first child any day. Horschel will instead be paired with fellow University of Florida alum Tyson Alexander. Horschel has won the Zurich Classic when it was both an individual and team event… Other notable pairings include Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Sahith Theegala and Will Zalatoris, and Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin. The Canadian duo finished runner-up a year ago and would like nothing more than to show Presidents Cup International Team captain Mike Weir how well they play together… Steve Stricker will play his second TOUR event this season (after earning his way into THE PLAYERS Championship), teaming up with Matt Kuchar.”
Full piece.

5. Tiger’s teammates

Field Level Media report…”Tiger Woods announced Monday that Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner have joined his Jupiter Links GC TGL team.”

  • “The virtual golf league headed by Woods and Rory McIlroy will begin its inaugural season next January. Woods also unveiled the team’s logo.”
  • “I have already shared my excitement and optimism for TGL as a league and product,” said Woods. “Now that we have finalized our roster with a team of world-class golfers, I am even more confident that this group will proudly represent the Jupiter (Fla.) area and connect with our fans for years to come.”
Full piece.

6. Woosnam questions Cantlay’s decision

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After the horn sounded to suspend play due to darkness, Cantlay, who’s ball was in the fairway on the 18th hole, had a decision to make. With over 200 yards into the green and extreme winds working against the shot, conventional wisdom would be to wait until Monday morning to hit the shot.”

  • “On the other hand, if he could finish the hole, he may just want to get the event over with so he could get out of Hilton Head.”
  • “Curiously, Cantlay chose neither of those options. After hitting 3-wood into the green, and still coming up short, the former FedEx Cup champion chose to mark his ball and chip and putt on Monday morning.”
  • “Ian Woosnam, who was watching from home, took to X to give his thoughts on Cantlay’s decision making.”
  • “Cantlay would end up getting up and down for par when play resumed at 8:00 am Monday morning.”
Full piece.

7. JT on Scheffler’s “weird” equipment choice

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After Justin Thomas’ third round of the RBC Heritage, the two-time major champion went in the broadcast booth alongside the CBS crew.”

  • “While Thomas was watching Scottie Scheffler play on the back nine of his third round, he wondered aloud why Scottie uses high-numbered golf balls.”
  • “Does anybody else think it’s weird that Scottie uses high numbers? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an elite player use high-numbered golf balls.”
  • “Amanda Balionis who was on the grounds chimed in, reporting that analyst Dottie Pepper had wondered the same thing earlier that day.”
  • “I’ve been going about this wrong my whole life,” Thomas jokingly said.
Full piece.

8. Rory to rejoin PGA Tour policy board

Mark Schlabach for ESPN…”Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy is poised to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, pending a vote by the board, which could come as early as this week, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.”

  • “One of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters during its three-year battle with LIV Golf, McIlroy abruptly resigned as a player director on the tour’s influential policy board in November.”
  • “He is expected to replace policy board player director Webb Simpson, who intends to step away before his two-year term expires in 2025.”
Full piece.

9. Weir names Presidents Cup assistants

PGA Tour report…”International Team Captain Mike Weir announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup, which will be played at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 24-29.

Full piece.
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