Final Round of the 2009 PGA Championship Should Deliver in Excitement

I suppose there are two schools of thought as we anticipate the final round of the 2009 PGA Championship.  There are certainly those who would be happier to see Tiger Woods walk away with a 5 stroke victory than to see him grit out an 18 hold duel with the likes of Y.E. Yang or Padraig Harrington, but through the course of history what will be more memorable?  Heaven forbid, for the legions of Tiger Woods followers, that another competitor end Tiger’s undefeated streak of wins when leading after the first two rounds of a major. That occurence would certainly have its place in the annals of golf history.

Whatever, this final round of play at the PGA Championship will be memorable.  The conditions are blustery and the leaderboard includes some worthy and capable names who could put just enough heat on Mr. Woods to pump some high voltage into this overcast Minnesota afternoon.  Regardless of the ending you’re hoping for, the final round should provide plenty of excitement and memories.

Chasing Tiger Woods

Just off the fairway of number 16 at Hazeltine is a wonderful location to watch the action at the PGA Championship if you can’t get close to the green.  Plan it correctly and you can watch the players drive their ball into the fairway and then hit their approach shots. It is also a fantastic place to watch the incredible movement of the Tiger Woods Nation.

Spaniard Alvaro Quiros Amuses Woods and Harrington in First Round

One of the enjoyable parts of media access at events like the PGA Championship is the insight you gain while sitting in player news conferences.  Today, Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington commented on a light moment on the course during the opening round of the 91st PGA.

Phil Mickelson “I’m fresh. I’m ready to go.”

Phil Mickelson says he’s there’s a sense of relief knowing the long term prognosis is favorable for his wife and mother, both who have been battling breast cancer. With that he proclaimed himself fresh and said, “I’m ready to go” during today’s news conference.  Not to say that their health is not an ongoing concern for Mickelson, but he says he feels better about his game heading into the PGA Championship than he did going into the U.S. Open.

Padraig Harrington News Conference Tuesday at the PGA Championship ’09

Padraig Harrington was accountable, responsible and downright likable in his news conference today at Hazeltine National Golf Club.  Harrington, meeting with the media for the first time during the 91st PGA Championship was asked a number of questions about his final round over the weekend.  He had ample opportunities to cast blame for his failure to win on a number of people and factors, but ultimately accepted responsibility for his undoing on the 16th.

Harrington also commented on the fact that Hazeltine is long, but that he believes that’s how a major championship golf course should play.  He referred to the course as strong and downplayed the length.

Tom Lehman Says His Game is Solid

Hazeltine members, this is for you:  Have you ever tried to hit a 7 iron over the Chaska water tower from the parking lot?  Tom Lehman has.  Somerset members, have you ever tried to play a round of golf on your knees?  Tom Lehman has.  Have you ever been kicked off the course at Interlachen Country Club?  Yep, you guessed it, Tom Lehman has.

If You Want to Hit the Ball Farther, Grow

If you’re heading out to the PGA Championship this week take note of a couple of things.  First, check out how far the golfers hit the ball.  Not just their drivers, but their mid-range irons and wedges as well.  Then, take a look at the size of the golfers.  Much like watching college and pro basketball on television the players don’t look that big until you actually go to a game or stand beside them. Golfers are the same way.  On television they don’t look very big, but in person, they’re much taller and stronger than you might expect.

Tiger Woods News Conference Highlights Tuesday at the PGA

Tiger Woods met with the media for the first time this PGA Championship.  He spoke about being “on the clock” last weekend, his behavior on the course and his success this year.  Tiger also spoke about the playing in Minnesota, the length of the course and the fans in Minnesota compared to other venues at which the tour plays.

Tiger Tracks Monday at Hazeltine National Golf Club

Imagine you just closed a big deal. You worked your tail off and beat some of the best competitors in the world.  Do you celebrate and kick back for a few days to soak it in?  Probably.  Tiger Woods?  No way.  About 12 hours after winning the World Golf Championship in Akron, Ohio, his 5th tournament of the year and second in a row, he was on the course at Hazeltine practicing.  He arrived at the course around 6:30am with a handful of people collecting autographs and finished the morning with a horde of media and spectators clicking away with their cameras.

We managed to get some photos and video that we want to pass on to you.  Tomorrow he and Padraig Harrington, the defending PGA Champion, will speak to the media.  We’ll post that as well.  For now, enjoy the look that we got this morning.

Tiger is the Talk of the PGA Championship on Monday

Prepping for an event like the PGA Championship, from a local broadcast media standpoint, is interesting.  You stockpile all the possible stories that you can cover, assign teams to cover them and expect them to get done for the evening news.  Then, it happens.  Tiger shows up and everything is out the window!

The big talk of the day was Tiger Woods, of course, on the course.  Tiger arrived at Hazeltine at about 6:30a.m. and signed autographs for the kids of some of our members and was on the course by 6:45a.m.  When Tiger teed off there were a handful of people to watch.  By the end of his round virtually every media outlet in the market was there to document his finish.  We caught up with Tiger as well and got these photos.  We will be posting video from his round shortly.