Last chance saloon

For me, the US PGA Championship is always a little sad. Not because Padraig Harrington aside, Europeans don’t enjoy a good history when it comes to bidding for the Wanamaker Trophy. No, it’s more to do with the fact it’s the last Major of the season and another eight months until The Masters.

However, this will not spoil what promises to be a fantastic showdown at Hazeltine. True, the season’s final Major can thrown up some surprise winners, which some people say takes the glamour out of the tournament. That would be harsh and, looking back at last year, the US PGA looks as healthy as ever.  

It was ten years ago that Sergio Garcia announced himself on the world scene, taking Tiger Woods all the way at Medinah. Last year Harrington followed up his second Open Championship with victory at Oakland Hills. Now, after his return to form at Firestone, the Irishman will start his title defence in confident fashion.

Woods inflicted a cruel defeat on Harrington in the final pairing at Firestone, and the pair head out together again on Thursday, with the former desperate not to finish the season Majorless. England’s Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Oliver Wilson, Paul Casey and Ross Fisher are all capable of challenging. Is it time for an English winner? And four men make their debuts at the US PGA Championship - Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Alvaro Quiros and Chris Wood. So, maybe a debut winner.

Paul Mahoney will be at Hazeltine providing all the latest news, blogs and gossip as the season’s final Major takes shape. Don’t miss it…

Where next?

- Enter Golf Monthly competitions - USPGA Championship news - USPGA history and records - Golf blog from Hazeltine - USPGA pictures from Hazeltine