The fourth and final major of the year gets underway on August 11th at the Atlanta Athletic Club. The club was founded in 1898 and has some serious history, as it was the home club of the legendary Bobby Jones. It is also one of only five clubs in the country to have hosted at least three PGA Championships. In 2001, the last time it was played at this venue, it was David Toms hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy for his first major victory. He’s having a solid year so far, so I wouldn’t rule him out for a repeat performance. Last year the PGA Championship created its fair share of drama at Whistling Straits, and now to me the 2010 PGA Championship will forever be known as “Bunkergate”. On the 72nd hole Dustin Johnson suffered a heartbreaking ruling by grounding his club in one of the many 972 bunkers, not knowing it was a bunker and thus putting himself out of a playoff with eventual winner Martin Kaymer.
The Picks
Dustin Johnson, at the young age of 27 has now put himself in position to have won a major on three separate occasions. He’s come up empty handed in all of them, and some are beginning to question if he has the ability to close one out. His most recent gaffe came at the British Open where he hit his approach shot on the par 5 14th hole extremely way right and out of bounds, thus sealing his fate and ultimately allowing Darren Clarke to walk to the finish line. All that aside, I’m still starting DJ in my A group for the PGA. He has a short memory and seems to be ready to finally win one. For the B group I like Bubba Watson to start. Bubba was right in the thick of things last year at Whistling Straits as well and was the one that actually got in to the playoff with Kaymer. Also starting this group I’m rolling the dice with David Toms to make a repeat performance at the AAC. He won earlier in the year and has looked sharp. Toms leads the TOUR in greens in regulation AND driving accuracy, two stats that are vital for major championships. Toms is coming off of a hip injury that he suffered at the John Deere Championship, which also caused him to miss the British. If he’s well healed, look for him to play well. Taking Rory McIlroy for the British Open (as I’m sure everyone did) didn’t pan out so well. I just can’t leave him off my squad. I’m going to have him on the bench to begin the week, and choose to instead start Jason Day. Day has seven top 10s on the season,which include two runner-up finishes at The Masters and the U.S. Open. The 23 year old is proving that he’ll be a force in major championships for years to come.
Starting foursome: Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, David Toms, Jason DayOn
The bench: Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy.
You can follow Jeff’s weekly Fantasy Golf picks online each week at www.mynegm.com. Jeff also writes on his blog at www.goodwalkgolf.com and can be reached at jeff@goodwalkgolf.com
About Jeff Palopoli
Web marketer, father, husband, and golf blogger continually searching for the golf game I used to have.
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