PGA to leave heat of the August kitchen
The PGA Championship finally found its identity — it’s the one major where players are allowed to practice in shorts.
They might not need to next year. This is the last year for the PGA Championship to be the final major. It will move to the middle of May and be held next year at Bethpage Black on Long Island. Based on the sweat pouring down faces — and legs — and drenched shirts yesterday at Bellerive in St Louis, next year will be a welcome reprieve.
But it’s not just the steamy heat of golf in August.
The PGA Championship, which celebrates its 100th edition this year, is easy to get overlooked because it falls at the end of a busy schedule. Francesco Molinari, who opted for shorts on the first official day of practice, was hoisting the claret jug from his British Open victory just 15 days ago.
Justin Thomas could barely relish his first World Golf Championship title two days ago at Firestone when it was time to prepare for his title defence in the PGA Championship.
“I think it will be good for the vibe,” Kevin Chappell said about the move to May. “It limits the golf courses we can play, which could be good or bad depending on your taste. The Open being the last one won’t lose any pizzazz because it stands on its own. But this being the fourth major, and the third one in the US, it’s easily overlooked.”
It’s not unusual for players to go a week or two early to see Augusta National (mainly because they can), or the US Open course. The roster of players who took a side trip to St Louis to see Bellerive is much smaller.
Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson were there early last week. Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka were among those who didn’t have time. They went from Scotland to the Canadian Open to Ohio for the Bridgestone Invitational.
Jordan Spieth took the week off after the British Open for his bachelor party in Spain. Spieth figured three days at a course should be enough for him or any other tour professional to know how to play a new course.
Spieth gets his second chance to try to complete the career Grand Slam, achieved by only five others since the Masters was created in 1934.
This is a new course for most of the 156-man field, including the 20 club pros. Only 15 players in the field have competed at Bellerive, either at the 1992 Championship or the 2008 BMW Championship.
Most players know what to expect — extreme heat, and a set-up that is designed to test but not necessarily punish.