McIlroy hogs the limelight at Louisville

Joy Chakravarty 11:38 07/08/2014
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  • Covering all angles: McIlroy's game is showing few signs of weakness heading into the PGA Championship at Valhalla.

    Of all the fascinating storylines that are developing ahead of the 96th PGA Championship, the one involving Tiger Woods was full of intrigue and suspense.

    And yet, it does not concern anything that culminates on what promises to be an exciting Sunday evening at the Valhalla Golf Club.

    Woods needs to be given full marks for just turning up and trying to compete in the tournament, less than three days after limping off from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with what appeared to be a recurrence of the back injury, which kept him off golf for three months earlier in the year.

    However, given his form and fitness, one can’t just imagine him performing another Superman-like act that he last did in the 2008 US Open. It would be an achievement if he lasts in Louisville beyond Friday.

    The spotlight, very deservingly, is trained on Rory McIlroy instead. There is considerable buzz about the possibility that he can make it three wins in three starts and what a stretch he has chosen.

    The Open Championship, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship are the three blue riband events in July and August. They are heavily loaded with prize money, prestige and points for various qualifications.

    McIlroy has never played at Valhalla before, but such is his form, any golf course would feel like a walk in a municipal. He is driving the ball so well and so far, he has reduced most holes into pitch-and-putt course from his second shot onwards.

    The Jack Nicklaus-designed course too can take a beating from him this week, as all three par-5s are reachable in two for him, and the par-4s, which are the strong point of Valhalla, will also kneel down to him. 

    His biggest challenge will be the subtle borrows on the multi-tiered greens. If McIlroy’s putter is on song, expect records to fall.

    The other big talking point this week, especially for the American fans, is the Ryder Cup team. This represents the final chance for all those who want to get inside the top nine of the standings, and thus not depend on the wildcards decision of captain Tom Watson.

    Apart from Woods, who is way off the safety zone, those who have a chance to make it to the squad are Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley, Zach Johnson (who is ninth, and hence on the fringe), and youngsters like Brendon Todd and Harris English. 

    The Europeans, on the other hand, have three more weeks to make their final push.Coming back to McIlroy, there are plenty in the field who can stop his scintillating run with some of their own brilliance.

    Leading that list would be the world No2 and No3 Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia. The Spaniard, especially, has been playing so well, he has three second places in his last three PGA Tour starts.

    This was the tournament he chose to announce his arrival in world golf when he finished second to Woods in 1999, and 15 years later, this could be the tournament which gives him his maiden major title.

    Among the other in-form players this week are Jim Furyk, the veteran who has had three second-place finishes this year, Aussie Marc Leishman and Graeme McDowell.

    And yet, given the past record at the PGA Championship, it would not be surprising if the most obscure name in the field jumps out of the pack and lands his first major title (remember Rich Beem?). 

    Anything is possible, McIlroy willing.

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