FACTS & FIGURES
Dates: Aug. 9-12. Site: Bellerive Country Club. Length: 7,316 yards. Par: 35-35 — 70.
Field: 156 players
(136 tour pros, 20 club pros). Prize money: TBA
($10.5 million in 2017).
Winner’s share: TBA ($1.89 million in 2017).
Defending champion: Justin Thomas. Last year: Justin Thomas took his place among the young stars in golf by closing with a 3-under 68 for a two-shot victory at Quail Hollow Club. With five players in the mix on the back nine, Thomas made a birdie putt at No. 10 that hung on the lip before dropping and surged ahead by chipping in for birdie on the 13th. He clinched it with a 7-iron to 15 feet and a birdie on the 17th. It was an emotional victory for Thomas. His father, Mike, is a longtime club pro and former PGA of America board member. Grand Slam: Jordan Spieth gets his second chance at becoming the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam.
Tiger Tales: Tiger Woods briefly had the lead at the British Open in the final round and finished in a tie for sixth. He will try to tie the record for most PGA Championship titles (five) held by Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen.
Ryder Cup: The PGA Championship is the final event for players to finish among the top eight qualifiers for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. With points counting double and a big purse, the winner is virtually assured a spot on the team.
Last shot at Glory’s Last Shot: The PGA Championship will be the second major starting next year when it moves to May.
Bellerive champions: Gary Player (1965 U.S. Open), Nick Price (1992 PGA Championship), Camilo Villegas (2008 BMW Championship).
Key statistic: Tiger Woods is the only player to win the PGA Championship back-to-back in stroke play. Woods did it twice.
Worth noting: None of the previous five players with the career Grand Slam completed it at the PGA Championship.
Worth quoting: “I think my best golf is yet to come, which is cool to think about.” _ Jordan Spieth.