By Mike D'Auria
The 91st PGA Championship was played this year at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. Tiger Woods has been victorious in 14 out of 14 attempts in the major championships when leading or sharing the lead after 54 holes. Tiger game has been sharp over the last few weeks, including back to back victories in the 51st and final playing of the Buick Open, which he has dominated so brilliantly over the years and also the WGC - Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio. He beat the field handily by three and four strokes respectively thus dispelling any doubts about his return to true Tiger form. Yang also made some noise and came in alone in 5th place at the Buick, tied for 19th at Firestone and has played well as of late and stood at 110 in the World Rankings until his PGA win, which should put him well ahead of that number.
I must take a moment to ask, "What happened to Padraig Harrington?" Having started the day at -6 and in excellent position to make a run at the title, he dropped off the leader board and shot 78 to put himself out of the running for back to back titles and another Wanamaker Trophy. It makes me seriously wonder whether Padraig would have been victorious in last year's two final majors, the British Open and the PGA, since he has faltered in both the Buick Open and the 2009 PGA when Tiger Woods was in the field. It may be the intimidation factor that exudes with Woods mere presence, which could affect Padraig Harrington's performance when going head to head with Tiger. There are many players so affected but it did not seem to bother P.E. Yang on the back nine on Sunday, or for that matter at any time in the final round. He play well thru out the round and his only hiccup came on 17 when he three putted for bogie and left the door open for Tiger. Tiger pulled his approach shot left and in the rough just off the green. His attempt to chip out left him short and he could not convert the par putt to return to -7 and a tie with Yang going into the final hole. I guess you could say he did not Wan-a-maker, a little play on words there. Yang's second shot on 18, a hybrid to approximately 8 feet, all but sewed up the title for him. Tiger needed to hit his approach shot stiff if he were to have any chance but instead he over shot the green and again left himself with a difficult shot from the rough to birdie or even par the hole, which he ultimately failed to do. Tiger had to settle for bogie to Yang's birdie leaving him an unprecedented three shots back at -5. Yang finished at -8, where Tiger had started for the day. When Tiger was ahead by two shots at the turn, I said to myself, "This PGA is over", but Yang had other ideas. P.E. Yang played well, no two ways about it. It seemed that Tiger uncharacteristically changed his strategy mid-round to a more conservative approach which is atypical for him. He appeared to be protecting his two stroke lead instead of his normal aggressive style and using his unequivocal ability to expand that lead to three, four or even five strokes. He did not appear to trust his game as he laid up on a number of holes and left himself much longer approach shots than Yang and this tactic may have ultimately lent itself to Tiger's demise and loss of the championship.
I know the missed cut at the British Open did not sit well with Tiger and I'm sure he worked even harder with his coach, Hank Haney, to correct any swing faults in preparation for the PGA Championship. Second place is not a bad spot to be in but unacceptable by Tiger's standards. I'm sure he would have much rather have today's headline read " Tiger's Wins Wire to Wire Victory in PGA Championship" or "Tiger wins 15th Major" or "Tiger Edges Closer to Jack Nicklaus's Record 18 Majors and Sam Snead's all time 82 Victory Record" but it was not to be this time. It just goes to show that even the infallible TIger Woods is human and can lose when the chips do not fall in his direction. This is the fourth straight major with an unlikely victor accepting the trophy. In The Masters, Angel Cabrera held off late charges by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who blew opportunities on the final nine on Sunday and Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry, who had it sewed up at the 16th until he bogied both finishing holes to force a playoff in which he lost to Angel. At the U.S. Open, Phil Mickelson was once again in contention on Sunday and playing his heart out for wife Amy who requested him to win, along with David Duval and Ricky Barnes who could not hold on to a 6 stroke lead and who both allowed Lucas Glover to snatch victory right out from under them. Then, an unprecedented performance in The British Open by Tom Watson, who should have and could have won but Stewart Cink tied him on the 18th and handily beat him in the playoff that ensued. Finally, in the PGA, what can I say, Tiger Woods beaten by P.E. Yang on the back nine on Sunday. Who could have imagined a more implausible ending to the last major of the season, given Tiger's two stroke lead at the turn. This is the time when Tiger usually makes his move and can catch an opponent with a four stroke lead or more when he turns it on. A Tiger Woods Major victory was not in the cards this year and his continuing quest toward Jack Nicklaus's record will have to wait until 2010. Please note that Tiger's season has been very successful, as he is the leading money winner, the leader in the Fed Ex and Presidents Cup standings, not to mention his long standing status as # 1 in the World Ranking which remains intact. His next opportunity will come in the Fed Ex Cup where he can add another victory and move closer to Sam Snead's all time victory total of 82. Not too shabby from a player who is still somewhat recovering from his ACL knee surgery of last year.
Congratulations to P.E. Yang for his victory in the 91st PGA Championship and his stellar play over all four rounds, especially on the back nine on Sunday against the world's best player, Tiger Woods. Happy Golfing to All!
My name is Mike D'Auria and I grew up in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn. I started playing golf when I sustained a severe hamstring injury playing softball about 30 years ago and have never looked back. It is a great game and I enjoy it immensely. For more golf tips and valuable information visit http://guideforbeginninggolfers.com
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