Post by estelle on Sept 7, 2013 4:53:19 GMT
As always, the winners of the three preceding majors are grouped together. It is a stellar line-up. Masters title holder Adam Scott, US Open winner Justin Rose and Open champion Phil Mickelson share each other's company for the first two rounds.
This contrasts to a decade ago, when the first three grand slam events had been won best golf clubs by Mike Weir, Jim Furyk and Ben Curtis. Somewhat in keeping with the 2003 trend for the unheralded, the PGA winner was Shaun Micheel.
The 2013 majors have yielded as champions the current world numbers five, four and two, so perhaps we are due another elite winner this week.
The glaring omissions are top dog Tiger Woods and the number three Rory McIlroy.
Yet again Woods goes into a major off the back of a significant and emphatic victory following his win at Firestone in the WGC Invitational.
How the bookmakers must love the best golf driver. Repeatedly he turns in a pre-major display to provoke a slashing of his odds and the waging of a welter of money on his chances.
On each occasion in the past five years, though, he has flattered to deceive and left punters counting the cost.
Will it be any different this time? The portents aren't good, even though Woods has an enviable record of putting himself in position to challenge in the majors.
Converting the potential into the substance of victory has proved beyond the world number one. Since the start of 2012, Woods is eight under par overall for the first two rounds of all the grand slam events put together and 25 over par in the last two.
He has been prone to pushing too hard at weekends. His putting touch deserts him and inflexible game plans come up short at the point where he needs to pounce.
The X-factor that Mickelson displayed G20 Driver at Muirfield to romp home on the back nine three weeks ago appears beyond his great rival these days.
Memories of Oak Hill aren't encouraging either. In 2003, Woods failed to break par in any round and finished 12 over as he struggled to a share of 39th place.
There is no doubt Woods has become a horse for certain courses. The winner of five PGA Tour titles this year is unstoppable at places such as Firestone.
This week, Oak Hill is less likely to fall into that category. He will have to buck a dispiriting trend to claim major number 15 - having not won any of his jpx 800 driver for sale since lifting the US Open in 2008.
McIlroy doesn't need to remember anywhere near as far back for his last major triumph. He is the defending champion this week.
Twelve months ago, he arrived at KiawahIsland and looked out on the course with a feeling that something good was about to happen.
This contrasts to a decade ago, when the first three grand slam events had been won best golf clubs by Mike Weir, Jim Furyk and Ben Curtis. Somewhat in keeping with the 2003 trend for the unheralded, the PGA winner was Shaun Micheel.
The 2013 majors have yielded as champions the current world numbers five, four and two, so perhaps we are due another elite winner this week.
The glaring omissions are top dog Tiger Woods and the number three Rory McIlroy.
Yet again Woods goes into a major off the back of a significant and emphatic victory following his win at Firestone in the WGC Invitational.
How the bookmakers must love the best golf driver. Repeatedly he turns in a pre-major display to provoke a slashing of his odds and the waging of a welter of money on his chances.
On each occasion in the past five years, though, he has flattered to deceive and left punters counting the cost.
Will it be any different this time? The portents aren't good, even though Woods has an enviable record of putting himself in position to challenge in the majors.
Converting the potential into the substance of victory has proved beyond the world number one. Since the start of 2012, Woods is eight under par overall for the first two rounds of all the grand slam events put together and 25 over par in the last two.
He has been prone to pushing too hard at weekends. His putting touch deserts him and inflexible game plans come up short at the point where he needs to pounce.
The X-factor that Mickelson displayed G20 Driver at Muirfield to romp home on the back nine three weeks ago appears beyond his great rival these days.
Memories of Oak Hill aren't encouraging either. In 2003, Woods failed to break par in any round and finished 12 over as he struggled to a share of 39th place.
There is no doubt Woods has become a horse for certain courses. The winner of five PGA Tour titles this year is unstoppable at places such as Firestone.
This week, Oak Hill is less likely to fall into that category. He will have to buck a dispiriting trend to claim major number 15 - having not won any of his jpx 800 driver for sale since lifting the US Open in 2008.
McIlroy doesn't need to remember anywhere near as far back for his last major triumph. He is the defending champion this week.
Twelve months ago, he arrived at KiawahIsland and looked out on the course with a feeling that something good was about to happen.