The PGA Championship is often the most under-rated of the four majors – so much so that the PGA of America re-branded it recently with a new tagline, “This is major”, just in case fans had any doubts – but for the second straight year, it has turned out to be the most exciting of the season’s big four.
Valhalla last year was dramatic as Rory McIlroy held off finalround charges by Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson to win in near darkness. Whistling Straits was no different, and it was edge-of-the-seat action except for the last few holes when Jason Day turned it into a romp.
The Masters this year, although extremely intriguing for what Spieth did, wasn’t much of a competition. The US Open was utterly forgettable because of the condition of Chambers Bay and it was Spieth again who saved it from becoming a complete disaster. The Open at St Andrews was exciting, but then nobody likes it when a tournament goes into a Monday finish.
Absolutely brilliant victory @JDayGolf & congratulations to you & @ellielaneday on this major win @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/tstaFLzBUi
— Gary Player (@garyplayer) August 16, 2015
One of the reasons the PGA of America gets it right is that they do not make it a silly test for the players and their egos do not take a beating if players go on a birdie binge on their chosen golf courses. At Whistling Straits, they got the mix just perfect – there were birdies to be had, but it was also a trademark Pete Dye course where the slightest of mistakes could lead to ugly numbers on the card. It also rewarded aggressive play, something that spectators love to see.
As we always do after each major, it’s time to rank the players on the basis of their performance in the final major of the season. And for those who are already looking forward to the 2016 Masters, let me tell you it is exactly 231 days away…
Jason Day (10)
Since we mark the players out of 10, I am unable to give the Aussie an 11, which he deserves for various reasons. It was just an awesome show from the 27 year old. His 20-under par score was a new record for the lowest ever score in relation to par in a major, and despite his past record (nine top 10s in 19 starts), there was no holding back. The pressure was immense, but he went about the job in almost cavalier fashion, taking out his driver at almost every opportunity and blasting one outrageous drive after another.
Jordan Spieth (9)
At one point on the back nine on Sunday, Spieth realised the futility in chasing the rampant Day and settled for second place. It was that kind of a week – he played like a champion once again and peaked like clockwork at the right time, but was outplayed by one guy playing out-of-his-skin golf. A third major title in one season was not to be, but Spieth did go home happy, having successfully managed to snatch the No1 world ranking crown from McIlroy.
Branden Grace (8.5)
It was another heart-breaking outing for the South African, who, at one stage, looked like giving Day a run for his money on the front nine on Sunday.
Grace, who surged into contention with an eight-under 64 in the third round, was undone by a double bogey on the 10th hole – the second time he made crucial mistake on the back nine on a Sunday of a major championship having lost the US Open with a double on the 17th.
Anirban Lahiri (8.5)
What a week it turned out to be for the Indian. It started off with him winning the Long Drive competition with a 327- yard bomb, and finished with him tied fifth – the best ever finish by a player from his country. A bogey on the final hole denied him enough points to gain a special temporary membership on the PGA Tour, but he did lock up a place in the International Team for the Presidents Cup, and is firmly back in the top-50 of the world rankings.
Dustin Johnson (7)
It was another rockstar performance from the American, especially on the final day when he started with a quadruple bogey and was five-over after four holes, and yet finished the round at three-under par 69.
But it remains a worrying trend how he disappears from the tournament after starting so strongly. That’s exactly what he did this year as well, having started with a sixunder par 66 before finishing tied seventh at 12-under.
Phil Mickelson (7)
Mickelson was tied-18th at eight-under par and never in contention, but he provided the spectators with one unforgettable moment after another. That included some unbelievable shots, as well as the now famous butt-slide down the mound during the second round, the video of which has gone viral. Clearly, Mickelson is having great fun out there on the course.
Rory McIlroy (7)
The Northern Irishman not only lost his ranking crown to Spieth, but also could not defend his title. He finished 17th at nine-under par and never really looked like winning.
But let’s not forget it was his comeback tournament after five weeks of injury layoff. In light of that, I thought he did very well to shoot the scores he did. The rust was evident at times, especially with the short game.
Bubba Watson (5)
Smashed a 408-yard long drive among other moments of brilliance, but the seven- under par finish and tied 21st place did not do any justice to the kind of form he was in leading into the tournament.
Henrik Stenson (4)
The golf course should have played into his hands, but he could only manage to get to five-under par. The big Swede fought back to make the cut with a superb 66 after opening with a horrendous fourover par 76, but never really got going .
Tiger Woods (2)
It was a much improved effort from the former world No1 compared to the Open last month, but you certainly do not expect a player of his calibre to miss the cut. The struggles continue, and he was also unlucky that a few of his minor mistakes got magnified on a golf course where there was very little margin of error.
Zach Johnson (2)
The Open champion missed the cut by one after having a terrible time with his driver, usually his strong point.
Adam Scott (1.5)
Our wooden spoon winner this week. Started with two birdies and then shot rounds of 76 and 75.
