Tom Pernice Jr. took time out from his practice round to find relief from an on-course fan at Valhalla.
|
|
Prize money is $5 million, with the winner set to receive $900,000 and the runner-up $540,000. Every player is
guaranteed at least $2,000.
Colin Montgomerie has dropped 20 pounds since the U.S. Open. How did he do it? "I just kept my mouth shut, actually," he said. In reality, he's hired a personal trainer and isn't eating after 7 p.m.
Sergio Garcia has abandoned his short-lived fascination with putting cross-handed. "I changed it last week," he said, prior to the Canadian Skins game.
Nick Faldo says the heat will make a difference. "The toughest holes are near the end, when our shirts may weigh more than we do," he said.
Nearly 1,000 members of the media are accredited to cover the tournament -- the most ever.
|
|
|
How low will they go?
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Ernie Els says at least 10-under. Hal Sutton says at least that, maybe 15. Justin Leonard claims he picked a score once, shot it and finished 10 shots behind the winner, forcing him out of the prognostication business.
The question Wednesday is just how many shots under par the winner will get at Valhalla. Four years ago, Mark Brooks was 11-under and 46 players broke par. Not as many will break par this year -- the Kentucky bluegrass rough will take care of that -- but with Tiger Woods going 12-under at the U.S. Open and 19-under at the British Open, nobody's sure what to expect.
"There are just a lot of opportunities out here to drive it in the fairway," said Steve Stricker, runner-up two years ago. "And as good as most players drive it, they are going to get some opportunities. The greens are in great shape, so I expect some great scores."
The man on the scoring bubble is Els, who has been second in all three majors this year. By his own admission, he played "really well" at The Masters (where he finished three shots behind Vijay Singh), "one good round" at the U.S. Open (where he finished 15 shots behind Woods) and "three good rounds" at the British Open (where a 72 on Friday shot him out of contention).
"On paper, it is unbelievable," said Els. "I would (never) have imagined finishing second in each one of the majors this year. So, when I sit back and think about it, those were good finishes. But obviously, you know, they weren't as good as what it is made out to be."
Els says his game is sound heading into the PGA. He says he likes the course, likes the conditions, even thinks the heat and humidity keep him loose. But what he doesn't like is the the prospect of being known for four runner-up finishes.
"I'd rather take one win and not have any second places," he said.
|
|
Fit to be tied: There will be a new playoff system -- if needed -- for this year's PGA Championship. Any players tied after 72 holes will play the 16th, 17th and 18th, with cumulative score deciding the winner. The format is similar to that used in the British Open, which has a four-hole playoff. If players are still tied, they'll go to sudden death, beginning at the 13th hole.
|
|
OVERHEARD
|
DALY
On his chances: "My singing is terrible, but it's been better than my golf lately. I guess that tells you how bad my golf has been." |
|
AZINGER
On Valhalla: "The course is in unbelievable shape. I have never seen fairways like this before. You just can't get grass better than it is now." |
|
FLESCH
On playing at Valhalla: "It's something you always dream of growing up ... to play a major in my home state -- there's nothing more I could ask." |
|
COUPLES
On handicapping his chances: "I always think I'm a darkhorse pick, just because I feel I can win at any time." |
|
