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US PGA Championship 2009

Aug 12

12:04
Posted by Thomas Clarke
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European Hopes...

Sergio Garcia could lead the hopes of the Europeans at the USPGA Championships

A little known fact about Padraig Harrington's win at Oakland Hills at the USPGA Championship last year was that Harrington was the first European to lift the sizeable trophy.

In its 90 year history the trophy has only been lifted by a non-American on 11 occasions and Vijay Singh, Nick Price and Gary Player all won it twice themselves.

So this year can there be a change around yet again and can the momentum gained from Harrington's win last year be carried forwards?

Well, call be pessimistic... but I doubt it very much.

Tiger Woods is on fire at the moment, and combine that with the form players such as Kenny Perry, Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan, I believe it will be very difficult for a European to muscle in on the action.

Compare this with also the disappointing and poorly timed injury of Paul Casey who has been playing superbly, especially in America this year and twice runner-up Sergio Garcia's continued lack of form. It looks as if once more Harrington will be the one carrying European hopes.

Ross Fisher and Lee Westwood along with TPC winner Henrik Stenson may have something to say to these words, but the worrying lack of conviction shown by both Fisher and Westwood at the Open at Turnberry does make me worry.

Here's hoping that I'm wrong, but my money would be on a solid American player picking up their first Major over a European doing the honours.... I really do hope I'm wrong though!

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Aug 10

15:49
Posted by Michael Weston
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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…