Ahead of the final Major of the season being held this week at Oak Hill Country Club, europeantour.com spoke to some of the assembled international media to get their views on who could be set for US PGA Championship glory this week in New York.
Jason Sobel, Golf Channel
Winner: Tiger Woods
It’s one of those ‘fool me once, shame on you; fool me 17 times in the last five years, shame on me’ but I still think that he’s ready and finally going to win Number 15.
Dark Horse: Nicolas Colsaerts
Such a great guy that it’s hard not to root for him. Has all the length in the world, so much so I think he could overpower this golf course. Hasn’t played his best golf this year but can go on a birdie barrage at any time. I like him and as a journalist, I root for the story and he is certainly a great one.
James Corrigan, Daily Telegraph
Winner: Lee Westwood
If he can putt like he did at Muirfield and get his long game to the standard he had at Firestone last week then he is in with as good a chance as anyone. I think this could be the week it all comes together.
Dark horse: Angel Cabrera
He always competes at these things and had a couple of good rounds last week.
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press
Winner: Steve Stricker
We’ve had two first-time winners to start the Major season in Adam Scott and Justin Rose, but now following Phil Mickelson’s win at The Open I think we will have another feel-good winner in Steve. This is the one that seems to suit him in terms of the time of year. Has given Tiger Woods more tips with his putting but I think it’s his turn now.
Dark horse: Graeme Delaet
Has played very well all year without winning and if there’s ever going to be a breakthrough for that sort of guy it tends to be the last one.
Derek Lawrenson, Daily Mail
Winner: Jason Dufner
Difficult to choose on this kind of course but his straight and unspectacular play should suit this it. Doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary but his overall consistency could work at Oak Hill.
Dark Horse: Michael Thompson
Not for much more of a reason than he has done well before on this kind of layout.
Bob Harig, ESPN.com
Winner: Zach Johnson
He’s been playing really nicely recently. Has been hitting a lot of fairways and putting well – both of which will be very important this week.
Dark horse: Henrik Stenson
Not really a dark horse but he’s not won a lot lately. I know he’s had some great finishes lately, including the second at The Open, so he’s in great form. Might be considered favourite by some but for me he’s the ‘under-the-radar’ kind of guy who could break through finally this week.
Steve DiMeglio, USA Today
Winner: Tiger Woods
Won by seven last week, won five times this year and nobody on earth is hitting the ball better off the tee than he is.
Dark horse: Gary Woodland
Just won in Tahoe last week so he’s in form. He learned yesterday that he doesn’t have to hit driver at all on this course – even if the wind picks up. You take the driver out of his hands and he can get around this course with three woods and driving irons and that’s big for him.
Ewan Murray, the Guardian
Winner: Tiger Woods
Shaun Micheel aside, this course tends to produce great winners and he’s obviously in great form.
Dark horse: Paul Casey
Back in form after his win at the Irish Open and you can’t underestimate how important that win was for him. I think the next thing he wins will be something big so why not this week?
Philip Reid, Irish Times
Winner: Henrik Stenson
Bang in form at the moment. After struggling for a few years he has turned his game around with Pete Cowen, who has done a fantastic job with him. He’s a confidence player and he’s certainly got that at the moment.
Dark horse: Scott Stallings
For no other reason than he is dark horse and a long-shot. Played very well earlier in the year and could well turn it around this week.
