It’s the PGA Championship. The last chance to win a major each in 2015. Can Jordan Spieth win his third major of his season? Can Tiger Woods salvage a forgettable season? Let’s find out who are the top 10 contenders.
1. Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth is just having a phenomenal year. He’s had 4 wins and 2 majors (Masters, US Open). Spieth nearly completed the 3rd leg of the grand slam with T4 at Open Championship. His mind is what currently sets him apart from just about every other golfer in the world. I don’t see any reason why can’t contend and win his 3rd major in this remarkable year.
2. Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson is going to eventually win a major right? Johnson can simply overwhelm golf courses. I think he is the most naturally gifted golfer in the world outside of Rory Mcilory, now and Tiger Woods/Phil Mickelson in their primes. It is all mental for Johnson. If he can put his past his major demons, he can win any major he plays in. He nearly won the 2010 PGA Championship at the same venue finishing T5. His talent is off the charts, but there is starting to be a a lot of major baggage.
3. Rickie Fowler
I have a feeling about Rickie Fowler this week. The last 2 years years he has start show all the potential he has. In 2014 he finished in the top 5 of all 4 majors. This season has seen him win the Players Championship and the Scottish Open and finish 2nd at the recent Quicken Loans National. I like Fowler’s chances.
4. Bubba Watson
The left handed Dustin Johnson. The difference is Watson has his those 2 Masters. He can overwhelm a course with his length. Back in 2010 he lost in a playoff to Martin Kaymer at PGA Championship held at Whistling Strait. He won just over a month at Travelers Championship. Watson’s past success at Whistling Strait should bode well for him.
5. Jason Day
Jason Day has future major winner written all over him. He is one of the most consistent major championship golfers in the world. He 9 top 10 majors since 2010, and had a T10 at Whistling Straits the last time the PGA was played there. There isn’t a hole in Day’s game, and only 27 he’ll have plenty of opportunities to win that elusive major. I’m confident this is someone that can win multiple majors in his career.
6. Jim Furyk
If Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson are similar type players, then Jim Furyk and Zach Johnson are cut from the same mold. Furyk is right up there with Johnson as the game’s top grinder. Furyk already has won a major and won earlier this year at the Heritage, and nearly won the Canadian Open a couple of weeks ago. He also played well at the week’s WGC Bridgestone. Furyk has a great shot to contend at the PGA.
7. Rory Mcilory
At the time of this posting, Rory Mcilory played a practice round at Whistling Straits. Will he be able to compete after suffering an ankle injury that forced him to miss the Open Championship? If he was healthy I’d have him one or two on this list, but that’s what we don’t know at the moment. If he plays though, the 4-time major winner always has a chance.
8. Zach Johnson
Zach Johnson is playing some of the best golf of his career. Coming off this year’s Open Championship victory, he’s now a 2-time major winner. If he get’s into contention, he is tough as nails and he knows how to close the deal in a major. Let’s not forget when the PGA Championship was held at Whistling Straits back in 2010, Johnson finished T3.
9. Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson may not be able to consistently put together wins on tour as he once did, but he is still very much a threat and a force at the majors. In his last 6 majors he’s only finished outside the top 30 once. For Mickelson, I think he can get into contention, but can he win? Mickelson will have to avoid to momentum killing hole that seems to plague him at least once a round.
10. Tiger Woods
Is he turning the corner or isn’t he? 2 of his last 3 tournaments have been top 35 finishes. These two results sandwiched an ugly Open Championship. I’m not sure if Woods is ready to contend, but I think physically his game is starting to come around, after 3 rounds in the 60s at the Quicken Loans National. If Woods can get off to a good start, the confidence might start to return. I think his game is starting to be as mental as Dustin Johnson’s. It’s all between the ears for the 14 time major winner.
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