The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Column: Stephen Gallacher ongolf.
It seems very strange to be talking about the first major of the year on August 6 but it feels great to be able to look forward to the US PGA Championship getting underway.
With 95 of the top 100 players in the official world golf rankings taking part at Harding Park in San Francisco clearly we’re going to watching the best of the best right now taking part.
There are so many tales to be told in the next four days and with so many fantastic golfers taking part there really is something for everyone.
There is more than a major at stake. The world number one spot is up for grabs as are Fed-Ex Cup places and of course whenever Tiger Woods is in town the spotlight shines that little bit brighter.
After all, with another chance at major win number 16 now in front of him you know whatever form is in he is going to back himself.
But I fancy Brooks Koepka this week as he bids to become the first player since Walter Hagen in the 1920s to win the tournament three times in a row.
He was so close last week at the St Jude Invitational. He was right in the mix until his poor finish but joint second place is good going.
That’s the thing about major tournaments. The leading players plan out their seasons aiming to peak around the time the big prizes are being handed out.
Koepka certainly comes into that category but with the top spot in the world rankings up for grabs he will have no shortage of competition.
Jon Rahm is in the hunt while Justin Thomas, whose win on Sunday took him top of the pile, will be determined to stay there. Rory McIlroy is also clicking into gear.
Tiger, who has won at Harding Park before, knows a thing or two about the course.
I’ve also been lucky enough to play at the San Francisco course too. It’s a fantastic set-up as you would expect of a host venue for a major with mature trees and dog-legs but the elements can be so challenging. You can be playing in thick fog one minute and beautiful sunshine the next.
The ball won’t travel far in the air and the rough will be combed. Hit the ball into the grain and you are going to struggle to advance it much in your next shot.
What I do know from playing there before is that the draw is going to be one of the most important factors in the opening two rounds.
One half of the draw is going to be given a helping hand by the San Francisco weather and whoever can capitalise best is going to put themselves in condition.
“With Koepka’s ranking up for grabs, there will be no shortage of competition”