The subject of golf in Wisconsin is enjoying quite a run of electronic ink. The fact that the PGA Championship comes to Whistling Straits this week will only mean the streak continues.
Last fall I caught the Straits course on a few days when the wind off Lake Michigan wasn't a factor. According to weather.com, wind won't be much of a factor for the final major of 2010 this week (a high of 10 mph). I said it then, and I still believe it now, the Straits (176-yard third hole pictured above) is my favorite of Pete Dye's cranky creations.
My top five of the Pete Dye designs that I've played:
1. Whistling Straits (Straits)
2. Dye Course at Colleton River
3. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium)
4. PGA West (TPC Stadium)
5. Blackwolf Run (River)
Click here for the blog I wrote about playing The Bog, which is another good course in Wisconsin (Palmer design).
So, who's my pick to win this week?
Tiger? (pictured at the Straits on Monday with his caddie/teacher/friend Steve Williams) Not until he goes back to Fluff and Butch--the A-team that had him winning with his "C-game."
Phil? Lefty doesn't do well in the wind (see every British Open), but if there's no wind and he can start hitting it straight off the tee, he'll be a factor.
Who else? I like Steve Stricker with the home crowd; Sean O'Hair because he has the tempo of a tortoise; and Ernie Els because he's my favorite tour pro.
--Matty G.
(Photo credits: Third hole: Jensen Larson; Tiger: Getty Images)
Rating
Comments
Post A Comment