The 2023 PGA Championship preview and verdict on the Oak Hill major as we prepare for Round 2 of the LIV Golf vs PGA Tour showdown.
This week, a lot of drama is expected at Golf’s second major, as games of the world’s top players are peaking.
The site of the event, Oak Hill Country Club’s east course, is a perfect venue for the world’s top players, having hosted the PGA Championship and the US Open three times.
READ: Full field for the 2023 USPGA Championship
Then there’s the anticipated rematch between the PGA mainstreams and the LIV outliers, who provided a good account of themselves at Augusta but couldn’t overcome the stellar play of the world’s number one Jon Rahm.
At Augusta, Koepka, carrying the mantle for LIV, looked unbeatable for three rounds but faltered on Augusta’s famous back nine.
It was Rahm who flawlessly managed Amen corner and pounded drive after drive deep down Augusta’s fairways while holing every critical putt.
Perhaps Koepka’s faltering, a first for him, may indicate the 54-hole format of LIV played a part.
Until then, the PGA trustees were holding their breath, especially after Phil Mickelson’s surprising birdie run on the back nine, and CBS finally released him from the witness protection program so the world could watch him make the final putt on eighteen for an astonishing 65.
Until then, we weren’t sure if Phil had withdrawn or failed to make the cut.
That back nine surge seems to have energized Phil as he’s returned to form, making a fool of himself with outrageous public claims and complaints, relegating him once again to exile from Golf’s mainstream.
Seems Phil has a self-destructive wish which he continues to pursue with surprising efficacy. Quite a fall for the six-time major winner and only real foil to the great Tiger Woods.
Rory’s comeback: I’m not feeling good about Rory. Bob Rotella? You’ve one twenty-three times and four majors. And you need a therapist now? Hello!
2023 PGA Championship Preview Predictions
Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele are all playing well.
Jason Day won this past week and seems to have reclaimed his game. Maybe Brooks Koepka can finish this time, Patrick Reed crashes the wedding, Cameron Smith finds his mojo, or Phil Mickelson gets ultimate revenge.
And then there’s always some guy who just finds it for the week. As for my forecast, I have none. Isn’t that why we watch? My only prediction: Drama and lots of it.
Jack Holden retired from business and returned to writing full time about his lifelong passion for the game of golf. He was introduced to the game as a caddy in Westchester County, NY, where golf clubs and great golf courses proliferate. He provides unique golf course reviews, commentary, opinions, tales and other interesting tid-bits about the game he loves.
