The 2022 PGA Championship begins May 16 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. If it does not have the aura of the Masters or the British, this second Grand Slam tournament of the year promises to be exciting in more ways than one. Here’s why.
Tiger Woods, Pga Championship
Embarrassed (understatement) by business related to the Saudi League, defending champion Phil Mickelson gave up at the last moment to come and defend his title. But the absence of “Lefty” will ultimately go almost unnoticed since Tiger Woods, THE legend Tiger Woods, will be there.
His unexpected return to the Masters had unleashed passions. It will be the same again in Tulsa (Oklahoma), although we can expect that the Tiger will still be a little rusty, like in Augusta. At 46, he therefore sets off in search of a 16th major despite his pain and his lameness.
Tiger scouted Southern Hills in late April. He knows the course since he triumphed there in 2007 when the PGA Championship last stopped there. The route has undergone many changes. But we obviously know that if Woods lines up, it’s because he’s ambitious.
Why not see him battle for the win on Sunday? That would be crazy… Steeped in a chaotic history, Southern Hills (by 70.6735 metres) promises to be formidable, like a tough test for even the finest blades of the PGA Tour (and the Asian Tour, and the DP World Tour, and the LIV League…).
Built during the Great Depression, designed by architect Perry Maxwell, the course, which received three US Open and four PGA Championships, was characterized by narrow, tree-lined fairways. A remodel in recent years has made the face-offs more inviting, but the elevated greens and strategically placed rivulets remain there to counter the big hitters.
According to the local pro, “Southern Hills is primarily a chipping test”, as it is difficult to hit many greens in regulation because the slopes cause the balls to slide sideways. Hole n°12 (below, 421 meters), dubbed by Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer, is considered one of the most beautiful par 4s in the United States. This left dogleg calls for a very precise second shot with a green defended by a small stream and four deep bunkers.
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