Brennan's Blog - PGA Championship

The final major of the year is at Hazeltine this week.  This is the longest course I have ever seen as it plays 7700 yards and on top of that, the course if very soft with the 5 inches of rain from last weekend.  Hazeltine has the longest par 3, par 4, and par 5 in PGA championship history.  The par 5's if played from the back tees play into the hands of guys like Mike because no one can get home in two so it turns into a wedge game for the approach shot.  As far as major championship courses go, this one is in the middle of the pack for me.  There are not a lot of holes that stand out.  It seems like 9 and 18 are almost the same hole and I have a tough time differentiating them.  Same goes for holes 11 and 3. 

The overall fairways are generous for a major course but the length makes up for it.  I think the best hole on the course is 14 as there are some different ways to play the hole.  At 350 yards it is short, but challenging.  When the tee is back it is a hybrid and a wedge but with the tee up some 60 yards, which they have said they will play, it is very possible to drive it on the green.  The short par 4 has really come back the last few years and is now a part of the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship which I think adds a lot of excitement.

16 is the other hole that is great.  A slight dogleg right that has a narrow fairway with a creek down the left side.  A three wood off the tee then a short iron to a long skinny green that has water right and over the back.  This is a hole where there is no bailout as you have to hit a good shot!

Being a PGA member in the U.S, I am always hoping for the best for this tourney.  Aside from the fact that this championship and the Ryder Cup are our two biggest money makers, it is an honor for 16 or so club pros to be able to play in the tournament.  Minneapolis is a much prettier city than I expected!  I can't remember much from last time we were here in 2002 but it's very pretty with all the lakes!

Good to see NFL football starting back up with games this week as this always makes for some good chatter on the range as the season gets under way in a month.  The Presidents Cup will also be picked this week and with Mike in 7th spot I believe we are in good shape to make the team again.  It will be interesting to see who makes a move into the final spot or who plays well this week to deserve a captain's pick.

I was happy for Robert Allenby last week to play well and pretty much secure a spot on the team.  I also have to congratulate Tiger on his 70th win.  Pretty incredible stuff!

I got to play a round of golf on Wednesday afternoon at a great club here in town, an old Tillinghast designed course.  Jud Burkett who caddies for Chad Campbell and I went out in the afternoon and had a great time. 

I Look forward to a great week and then we are into the Playoffs; busy part of the year!

As always thanks for the support,
Brennan