First major is the most August of occasions..

HERE’S a sentence I never thought I’d write in August: the first major of the year starts tomorrow.

In a year of unprecedented delays and disruption to the golf calendar, the PGA Championship is suddenly the opening major.

Since golf ’s return in June, we have seen very few upsets and recent form suggests this week’s tournament will be no different.

But golf – and this event in particular – has a habit of springing a surprise.

Scroll down the list of USPGA champions and you’ll find the names of Shaun Micheel, Rich Beem, YE Yang, Keegan Bradley and Jason Dufner.

Granted, you’ll also find Woods, Nicklaus and Koepka, but on many occasions the underdog has had its day.

The fact we’re staring at the first ever major played behind closed doors may also help an outsider cause a shock at Harding Park.

The lack of partisan crowds and packed galleries will take a certain sting out of the occasion.

It certainly won’t be as daunting as previous majors.

Justin Thomas tees it up as golf ’s new World No1 after his win at last week’s St Jude Invitational saw him leapfrog Jon Rahm at the summit.

When Thomas, the 2017 USPGA champion, is on his game and matches his skill levels with courage under pressure, he makes golf look easy.

He also has an incredibly nice habit of winning. St Jude was his 13th victory – three of them have come in the last 12 months – and that sets him up perfectly for this week.

He will fancy his chances of adding a second major title to his CV.

World No1s and favourites aside, I’d love to see a fairytale descend on Harding Park, in much the same way Shane Lowry’s charge at Royal Portrush ignited last year’s Open.

Ten of the last 12 USPGA champions have been first time winners and the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa could be next in line.

I am a huge fan of Schauffele and he has the ability to put it all together this week.

He has enjoyed big wins in the past and will be comfortable on the poa annua greens.

His strokes gained tee to green stats also suggest all parts of his game are primed.

Morikawa is another superstar in the making and if he can find a fearless putting touch, he too will be one to watch.

The weight of history will be the main burden on the players as we prepare for the first major of 2020 and a surreal four days lies in store.

I’d love to see an Irish winner, but failing that I hope a fresh face or first time winner lights up Harding Park.

I’d love to see a fairytale like Shane Lowry’s Portrush win

CALM AND COLLECTS IT Justin Thomas has proved his ability to remain cool by picking up title after title