Tour Confidential: Dissecting a Day of Unprecedented Chaos at Valhalla
Friday’s second round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club was far from ordinary, marked by a series of bizarre and chaotic events that left players, fans, and journalists alike agape. From the unprecedentedly long lightning delay to the bizarre penalty stroke against Rory McIlroy, the day unfolded like a surreal dream.
– A Bizarre Friday at the PGA Championship
PGA Tour Confidential: A Bizarre Friday at the PGA Championship
*Conditions were perfect with no wind at all on the first day of the PGA Championship which led to record low rounds on Thursday with lots of players shooting in the 60s. What a difference a day makes as wind gusts up to 30 mph made the course play about 3 strokes harder making conditions much more difficult on Friday. Phil Mickelson who shot a 69 and was just 2 off the lead on Thursday shot 79 and was 8 over after 36 holes and missed the cut by 3. The cut was 145 and 74 players made the cut and advanced to the weekend rounds. Everyone is now bunched up as Justin Thomas leads the way after 3 rounds just 3 strokes ahead of Mito Pereira, Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris who are all tied for second place. A lot of big name players missed the cut including Rory McIlroy who shot 75-73 and was 6 over after 36 holes and was 5 strokes over the cut line. Scottie Scheffler the current world number 1 and recent Masters Champion shot 74-73 also 6 over missed the cut by one stroke. Brooks Koepka who hasn’t played much of late shot 75-73 also 6 over and missed the cut by 2 strokes, he has now missed 5 of his last 6 cuts. All 3 of the last 3 Major Champions missed the cut at the PGA!
*Dustin Johnson shot 65-71 on Thursday and Friday and is 4 under par after 3 rounds and is tied for 9th place. Dustin is looking to put together 4 good rounds in a Major for the first time all season after finishing 12th at the Masters and 24th at the US Open so far in 2022. Dustin has only won one Major in his career at the 2020 Masters and has had good chances to win other Majors in the past but could not play well enough on Sunday in the final round. Dustin has gained distance this year with his driver and he is putting much better in 2022 which should help him hold up under the pressure on Sunday in the final round.
*Tiger Woods shot a second round 74 and is 3 over par after 3 rounds and is tied for 37th place. Tiger was tied for the lead after shooting 69 in the first round but his 2nd round 74 really hurt his chances of winning his first Major since the 2019 Masters over 3 years ago. Tiger did not play very well on Saturday and had several poor tee shots and approaches shots into the greens. Tiger has not shown many signs of improvement in his game since his return and looks like he will need more time before he can compete for Majors again.
*Patrick Cantlay shot 73-69 and is 2 under par after 3 rounds and is tied for 17th place. Cantlay has consistently played well for the last few years but has not won a Major or even finished in the top 5. Coming from California he should feel very comfortable playing on the West Coast in the PGA Championship and has a chance to play well on Sunday in the final round if the weather stays tough as he is a great ball striker and a very good putter.
– Unraveling the Unusual Occurrences
Unraveling the Unusual Occurrences
Friday at the PGA Championship was a whirlwind of unexpected events, leaving spectators and players alike in a state of disbelief. From bizarre rules decisions to improbable shots, the day was filled with moments that defied expectations.
One of the most perplexing incidents occurred during the morning round when Tommy Fleetwood found himself in a precarious position in a bunker. After taking several practice swings, Fleetwood’s ball mysteriously began to roll back, defying the laws of gravity. The bizarre occurrence drew laughter from the crowd and left Fleetwood with a bewildered expression.
Later in the day, Brooks Koepka made headlines with an extraordinary recovery shot. After hitting his tee shot into a thick grove of trees, Koepka opted to play the ball as it lay. With the gallery watching in disbelief, Koepka somehow managed to thread the needle, hitting a miraculous shot that landed mere feet from the green.
The rules officials also played a prominent role in the day’s proceedings. In one instance, Patrick Cantlay was penalized two strokes for accidentally double-hitting his drive. The ruling sparked controversy, with many experts questioning the fairness of the decision.
As the sun began to set, the drama reached its peak when Tiger Woods was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an ongoing leg injury. Woods’ withdrawal came as a shock to fans and fellow players, casting a pall over the remainder of the competition.
– Weather’s Impact on Play
Weather’s Impact on Play
Although the weather at Southern Hills on Friday was challenging, several players demonstrated resilience and strategic thinking to stay in contention during an unpredictable round.
Cooling temperatures, increased wind speed:
As temperatures dropped throughout the day, players had to adjust their club selection to account for the reduced ball carry. The average driving distance declined, and players favored irons and hybrids for approach shots. Furthermore, the increased wind gusts compelled golfers to consider wind direction and trajectory when calculating their shots.
Above-ground conditions:
Due to the windy conditions, the rough became more challenging to play from. Balls often landed in deep, firm rough, making approach shots harder to control. Moreover, the wind caused the fairways to dry out, resulting in faster ground speeds that made it difficult to hold greens.
Mental fortitude:
Playing in the face of such challenging conditions required a great deal of mental fortitude. Players who remained focused and adjusted their strategies accordingly were able to overcome the obstacles and post respectable scores. It emphasized the importance of staying calm and composed in the face of adversity.
Example:
Patrick Cantlay’s second-round 69 in the 2022 PGA Championship was a testament to his exceptional adaptability. Despite the difficult weather, he managed to stay in contention by hitting fairways, taking advantage of the rough, and putting consistently. His success highlights the importance of strategic play and determination in challenging circumstances.
– Impact on Player Performance
Impact on Player Performance
The demanding conditions at Southern Hills took a toll on the players, leading to wide variations in scoring. Those who managed to adapt to the challenges fared well, while those who struggled found themselves falling behind.
Adaptive Stars
Players like Rory McIlroy and Mito Pereira showcased their adaptability by adjusting their game plan to suit the conditions. McIlroy opted for a conservative approach, hitting more irons off the tee and putting a premium on accuracy. Pereira, on the other hand, embraced the challenge and attacked the course aggressively, leading to both birdies and bogeys.
Challenges Abound
Others struggled to find their rhythm, as the dense rough and unpredictable winds proved too difficult to navigate. Defending champion Phil Mickelson had a particularly disappointing day, carding a 78 after hitting just 4 of 14 fairways.
Course Revenge
Southern Hills exacted its revenge on the field, with many players citing the course’s length and difficulty as factors in their struggles. The course’s narrow fairways and fast greens made precision and shot-shaping paramount, proving to be an unforgiving test for even the most skilled golfers.
That’s it for this week’s Monday Finish. Check back next week for more behind-the-scenes coverage at the CJ Cup @ConocoPhillips, from Peter Dobereiner’s full panegyric on social media platforms, to film clips from Brandel’s interview with Greg Norman.
