So far it’s been a nice start at Whistling Straits. After decent weekend rounds at Akron, Ohio (WGC-Bridgestone), winning the ‘Long Drive’ competition was a great start to the PGA Championship week.
As I was remarking to a friend jokingly, now I have at least one thing in common with the legendary Jack Nicklaus, who won this Major five times in his 18 successes at Majors.
Interestingly, the Long Drive competition was revived last year, when I made my debut at Valhalla, and I missed out as my drive missed the fairway. This year I was ‘on target’ and it was a nice feeling to have that on the par-5 second hole, which I found is also called ‘Big Country’. A drive of 327 yards and right in the fairway, that’s what it was and it felt good.
When I came over to Whistling Straits from Akron I was confronted with a course, which is beautiful – and I have played at some really beautiful courses this season. But it also has a lot of bunkers. When I say lots, I mean lots, and one needs to be careful because on many even spectators can walk around.
At Whistling Straits I have an early tee off on Thursday but we are way behind Indian time, in terms of time zones. So it will be well past dinner time when I finish my first round.
I am paired with Morgan Hoffman, who has had a decent season this year, and Steven Young, who is also a staff pro in US, and came through the PGA National Championships.
Personally, I am looking for a good start at Whistling Straits and building some early momentum. I feel like a good week is around the corner.
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