Rory again and again and again
The US PGA is the ugly sister of the four majors. The Masters is first up on the golfing calendar and, rest assured, there will be articles on the azaleas, Gene Sarazen’s albatross, who will don the green jacket in Butler’s Cabin.
The Open is what it says on the claret jug – not the British, but “the.” This year its committee succumbed to one of the key combatants of links golf – the elements – by changing the format in the face of bad weather.
The US Open is the one they say the professionals want to win, but Sam Snead never could. However, it can be too gruelling a test in high summer. This leaves the PGA, sandwiched between the US Open and, every two years, the Ryder Cup. Yet, as often as not, it produces the most thrilling golf and certainly the Valhalla course did this year.
Any of six could have won and, having backed Mickelson at 8-1 each way, I was hoping it might be Lefty. Yet Rory held off his challenge to win this third consecutive tourney and become the third youngest to win 4 Majors – only the Masters eludes him. He has the temperament and technique to do so, and a several more as well. Whether he can emulate the two that got to four first- Nicklaus and Woods- time will tell, but it is on his side.
