<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br /><br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br />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. <br /></p>
<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br /><br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br />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. <br /></p>
