Peter Jacobsen’s Top 5 Picks for the 2018 PGA Championship
After 2018, the PGA Championship will no longer be the final major played in the calendar year. The only all-professional major heads to May next year, but it goes out of August in grand style, with the playing of the 100th PGA Championship, next month at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.
So, who will raise the Wanamaker Trophy at Bellerive? What type of player is best suited for that demanding Robert Trent Jones Sr. design? Well, Peter Jacobsen, a Partner and the Spokesperson for Golf Life Navigators, knows all too well about winning at Bellerive – that’s exactly what he did in 2004, when he captured the U.S. Senior Open there.
So, focus in as we present Jake’s Takes on the Top 5 to Watch in the 100th PGA Championship!
Rory McIlroy
We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from Rory this year as well as some frustrating moments. Despite inconsistent putting at Carnoustie, he came close to winning. If he drives it like we know he can, he won’t have to putt great to win at Bellerive. This is a ball striker’s course and when he’s ‘on,’ not many can match Rory’s dominance.
Matt Kuchar
After a good performance at Carnoustie, Kuchar is due. He is the most consistent player in the world, has a dependable short game and an attitude to be admired. It’s time for Kooch to finally win a major.
Henrik Stenson
Henrik showed some solid play at Carnoustie and always impresses with his ball-striking consistency, which is imperative at Bellerive. If Stenson can putt just decently, he will contend.
Bubba Watson
We all know how mercurial Bubba can be. It seems to be either feast or famine with Watson. He missed the cut at Carnoustie, which means nothing as we try to analyze his state of mind and current game. Bubba can turn it on as quickly as anyone in the game.
Dustin Johnson
A missed cut at The Open isn’t as concerning as most think, simply because of the unique nature of links golf. Bellerive is more of a ‘traditional’ course that we see in the U.S., plus we know how dominant DJ can be over here. If he drives it well, he should win.
