Johnston beefs up for the PGA Championship

Beef takes Manhattan sounds like the name of the next great comedy, but this is no movie. Golf’s overnight sensation, Andrew Johnston, hit the Big Apple this past weekend. On past trips, he remembers loving the lights on the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, as well as the skating rink, although he’s quick to point out you’ll never see him on the ice. This trip seemed to be more of a culinary experience — and more Michelin Man than Michelin stars. “We had Saturday evening, early Sunday,” he said during a news conference for the PGA Championship which starts Thursday at Baltusrol Golf Club. “So we went around, yeah, to three burger places and then to Arby’s on the Saturday night. Then I took my manager to Katz’s Deli Sunday for lunch because I can’t find a better place that does pastrami, man. That thing’s unreal.” In Johnston’s defence, he’s Arby’s newest pitchman and the Wall Street Journal wanted him to review the burger joints. It seems everyone wants a slice of Beef this week.

Lefty a favourite?

Phil Mickelson comes to Baltusrol Golf Club in great form after his near-miss at the British Open two weeks ago. Throw in the added mojo of winning the PGA Championship here in 2005 and the popular Lefty seems like a good bet. That said, a familiar refrain heard this week is that “long and straight off the tee” is the key to success. Phil has nearly every shot imaginable but he also has a reputation as golf’s great escape artist, and you don’t get that by being long and straight off tee. Long? Yes, although not compared to the biggest hitters anymore. Straight? Well, you know. Mickelson seems to disagree with those predicting this course is a bomber’s paradise. “You’ve got to drive the ball straight for sure,” he said Wednesday. “It doesn’t have to be long. If you notice, the great thing about Baltusrol is how the front of the greens are always open. You have an opportunity to run shots up.” With rain in the forecast Friday and Sunday, some of Phil’s run-ups might not be very accommodating if the course gets some moisture in the turf.

Dark horses

Here are five dark horse picks for the PGA Championship that might be worth dropping an imaginary fiver on:

Patrick Reed 50/1 — Always confident; heading to Olympics; 9th in FedEx Cup standings

J.B. Holmes 60/1 — Second on tour in driving distance; T4 at Masters, 3 at British Open

Scott Piercy 110/1 — Underrated player; Runner ups at U.S. Open and WGC Bridgestone

Keegan Bradley 125/1 — Brutal start to season; major champion; could surprise

Tony Finau 140/1 — Another bomber; had first win this year; Top 20 at British Open