Stricker set to end one trend, ride another to PGA Championship win

Bobby Jones, past president of the Atlanta Athletic Club, would be proud of the 93rd PGA Championship.

The great champion was, of course, the founder of Augusta National and The Masters. Jones loved dramatic golf, and this year’s PGA should provide plenty. The championship has more story lines and drama than a soap opera. 

The golf course in Atlanta is closer in set up to a U.S. Open course than that major was earlier this summer at Congressional.  The fastest greens the players will play all year await. And when you add a premium on keeping it in play, you have the setting for what I believe will be the best major of the year. 

A true major championship does bring the best to the top of the field.  The way I see it, the golfer who is the most patient, has a great wedge game, a tremendous putter and a great attitude is Steve Stricker. 

The highest ranked American in the World Golf Rankings is an easy ‘homer’ choice, but going patriotic is bucking the current trend.  The last six majors have been won by non Americans and first time major winners. 

But here is a trend that favors my choice. I feel the first-time major winner streak will continue, and Stricker will be a first time major champion from the United States come Sunday.  This is the insider talk in professional golf; the Americans are no longer dominant.  We are starting to see a new day.

This is setting up to be one of the best PGA Championships ever. I am glad to see “the fourth major” receive some much-deserved respect. 

I encourage all of you to take some time to watch what will be exciting history in the making. Don’t forget to check out that 260-yard, par-3 15th hole.

And, by the way, I give my early congratulations to the champion of the 93rd PGA Championship, Steve Stricker, the nicest person in the game.

Some more story lines to follow:

Tiger Woods – enough said.

Stevie Williams – enough said.

Adam Scott – too laid back to care about Tiger and Stevie.

Rory McIlory – PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem’s “Best New Friend”

Phil Mickelson – which Phil will show up?

Darren Clarke – he is still not finished partying from winning The Open; I am proud for him

Dustin Johnson – redemption is possible from the bad bunker break at last year’s PGA Championship

Rickie Fowler – can golf’s golden boy win his first tournament?

Martin Kaymer – can the defending PGA champ resurface?

Lee Westwood – will the non major winner ever get this monkey off of his back?

Luke Donald – is ‘not winning a major’ getting in his head?