It began in April, with Bubba Watson holding off a spirited challenge from Jordan Spieth to win at Augusta National for a second time. In June, American golf went back to its roots at Pinehurst. There would be no home winner at the U.S. Open, however, with Martin Kaymer producing one of the most dominant major championship performances in recent memory. Onto the 143rd Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, and we very nearly saw another victory by a monumental margin. Ultimately, Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler put up a hard fight, but Rory McIlroy would hold on to join the legends of the game in winning three different majors by the age of 25.
Now it is time for the Championship of the PGA of America, the PGA Championship. Undoubtedly the least distinct of golf's four grand slam events, coming fourth in the calendar. It lacks the iconic majesty of the Masters, doesn't have the status of being America's national championship, and lags well behind the Open Championship in terms of history and perceived prestige. However, despite that, the annual battle for the Wanamaker Trophy often proves to be the most compelling of the four.
We can look back on some iconic finishes in the last two decades. Few will forget Tiger's battle with a 19-year-old Sergio Garcia at Medinah, with an unheralded journeyman by the name of Bob May pushing Woods (at his peak) all the way at Valhalla in 2000. Phil Mickelson's Monday victory at Baltusrol in 2005 and Martin Kaymer’s triumph after an enthralling – and controversial – Sunday at Whistling Straits in 2010 also stand out in recent editions of the event that was previously coined ‘Glory’s Last Shot’.
Valhalla, a course with many detractors, will serve as an interesting canvas for the leading players in the game. This Jack Nicklaus design has previously hosted the Championship twice, with Nick Faldo's European Team also succumbing to a surprising defeat against Paul Azinger's United States six years ago in the Ryder Cup. Comparatively generous off the tee, with challenging greens placing an emphasis on accurate iron play, Valhalla is a course that will yield many birdies this week - which will liven up the boisterous Kentucky crowds.
Anticipation for this year’s championship has been heightened by the form of Rory McIlroy, who reclaimed the world number one spot after victory in the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at the weekend. With some observers now believing the Northern Irishman to be on the verge of establishing his own distinct ‘era’, a second consecutive major victory would be the ultimate statement of intent in that regard.
Valhalla is a course that sets up perfectly for the 2012 PGA Champion, but the odds suggest that you simply can’t win them all. However, Nick Price, Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington have all won the season's last two majors consecutively in the past 20 years. Rory McIlroy will see no reason why he can’t increase his major tally to four.
Perhaps the most enticing thing about this week is the form of so many of the game’s leading lights, with newly positioned world number two Adam Scott surely due another big victory. In the last four years, the Australian has posted a stunning nine top ten finishes in majors, including his triumph at Augusta National last year. If the 34-year-old can find the extra gear to elevate a top ten into genuine contention, he may well join compatriots Elkington, Grady, Graham and Ferrier on the Wanamaker Trophy.
Sergio Garcia, a noted critic of the course, looks to be back to his best form, despite losing a three-shot on Sunday at Firestone. While fellow European stalwart Justin Rose continued his imperious summer last week with a top four finish, as he returns to the site of his first Ryder Cup in 2008. Incidentally, he was Europe’s leading point scorer that week.
The likes of Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson, Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson may threaten, while former PGA Champions Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson will be hoping to secure their place in next month’s showpiece at Gleneagles.
The two Americans, who formed a formidable partnership at Medinah two years ago, are on the fringes of the automatic qualification places for Tom Watson’s team. The qualifying period ends at the conclusion of this championship, and while both are largely expected to receive a wildcard pick, regardless of what happens this weekend, improved performances at Firestone will perhaps be the catalyst to securing their spot on Sunday.
It’s also an important week for three of Europe’s mainstays – Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood – all of whom are outside Paul McGinley’s automatic top nine. All three have lacked consistency this season, and the captain will be desiring to see some semblance of form from this trio.
And what of Tiger Woods, whose troubles continued this past weekend. Withdrawing midway through his final round on Sunday due to apparent back pain, grimacing and clutching his back in agony, it was a sorry sight to see the 14-time major champion struggling to take his shoes off.
Questions will naturally be asked whether he came back too soon from microdiscectomy surgery in March, but he arrived on site in Louisville on Wednesday afternoon to play a practice round. With the clear intention of competing this week, a notion that makes little logical sense, we can now expect to see him on the tee on Thursday at Valhalla – site of one of his most memorable triumphs.
With Tiger in place, 99 of the world’s top 100 players are in attendance. All of whom are capable of claiming this year’s last shot at major glory and joining many of the game’s legends on the Wanamaker Trophy. In the end, it may prove to be Rory McIlroy, whose own legend is growing by the week.
This is the last major for eight months, ladies and gentlemen. Make the most of it.