PGA Championship Preview

The final major of the year is upon us this week! The 100th edition of the PGA Championship will be played just north of St. Louis at Bellerive Country Club. The course will play 7,431 yards and is a par 70. This course has very large bent grass greens. They average about 7,500 ft a green. The heat has wrecked havoc on the greens so they are planning to have them slower during the practice rounds. This course will favor bombers who can keep it in the fairways and world class ball strikers with a high ball flight on approach shots.

Notable Holes To Watch:

Hole 4

This will be a tough 521 yard par 4. Missing the will prove costly as it will be near impossible to hit the green.

Hole 6

It is a 213 yard par 3 that can lead to a big number. Watch out Rickie! The green is guarded by a pond on the right side, and there are bunkers short left and long. This leaves very little room to mess up.

Hole 10

Par will be a great score on this 508 yard Par 4. Golfers will have to find the fairway if they want to hit the green on their second shot. The green is not easy either as it is wide but shallow.

Hole 17

This Par 5 will play anywhere from 603 yards to 530 yards. There are 2 tee boxes to choose from. It will likely be the last place to gain a shot or two come Sunday. Some players will be able to get it on in 2 if the tees are moved up.

Who To Watch:

Justin Thomas

He is the defending champion and fresh off a win last week at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. Will he be able to go back to back?

Patrick Cantlay

The American version of Francisco Molinari. He is an excellent ball striker with 6 Top 25s in his last 8 events.

Thorbjorn Olessen

Probably the hottest golfer this summer that you have heard nothing about. He has a win and 4 other top 12 finishes in his last 7 events.

Ryan Vermeer

He won the PGA Professional Championship in June to qualify for this major so this will be a fun week for him to soak it all in.