PGA Championship: Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods among five players to watch
As the PGA Championship returns to eye-popping Whistling Straits for the 97th edition of the last major of the season, there are plenty of storylines to follow. The course, just as it was in the 2010 PGA Championship won by Martin Kaymer in a playoff, will have a say in the plot. And here are five main characters who are set to deliver on a beautiful stage along Lake Michigan.
JORDAN SPIETH
Age: 22
Tale of the Tape: 6-1, 185 pounds
2015 record: 18 starts, wins in the Valspar Championship, Masters, U.S. Open and John Deere Classic; 12 top-10s
2015 major record: Won the Masters, won the U.S. Open, finished in a tie for fourth at the British Open
Career major record as a pro: 10 starts, two wins, four top-10s
The skinny: The world's No. 2 player said his close call in the British Open – where his bid for an unprecedented modern day Grand Slam came up one shot short of earning a spot in a playoff – left a bad taste in his mouth and a chip on his shoulder. He's long enough to contend on any course – he's in the upper 1/3 in driving distance on the PGA Tour. And no one is better around or on the greens these days. He has an absurd 14 chip-ins this year and has been the game's best putter all season. He said he likes the course after a two-day reconnaissance trip eight days ago.
RORY McILROY
Age: 26
Tale of the Tape: 5-9, 160 pounds
2015 record: 12 starts worldwide, wins in the Dubai Desert Classic, the WGC-Cadillac Match Play and the Wells Fargo Championship; eight top-10s
2015 major record: Fourth in the Masters, finished in a tie for ninth in the U.S. Open, did not defend his title in the British Open due to injury
Career major record as a pro: 26 starts, wins in the 2011 U.S. Open, the 2014 British Open, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championship; 12 top-10s
The skinny: Will the world's No. 1 player get to the first tee for Thursday's first round? The defending champion ruptured a ligament in his left ankle on July 4 and missed title defenses in the British Open and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He amped up his rehab and the ankle progressed well enough for him to make the trip to Wisconsin and test out the ankle. His powerful swing will put plenty of pressure on the ankle, as will walking 6 miles per round on one of the toughest layouts in golf. In the 2010 PGA Championship, he was one shot shy of the playoff and fancies the course.
DUSTIN JOHNSON
Age: 31
Tale of the Tape: 6-4, 190 pounds
2015 record: 16 starts, a victory in the WGC-Cadillac Championship, two runner-ups, seven top-10s
2015 major record: Tied for sixth in the Masters, tied for second in the U.S. Open, tied for 49th in the British Open
Career major record as a pro: 26 starts, nine top-10s
The skinny: He's become a tragic figure in majors. He lost a 3-shot, 54-hole lead in the 2010 U.S. Open with a final-round 82; he was 2 shots back in the 2011 British Open when he hit a ball out of bounds on the back nine on Sunday and tied for second; he three-putted from 12 feet to miss a playoff by one shot in this year's U.S. Open. Perhaps his most heartbreaking major came at Whistling Straits in 2010, when he grounded his club in a bunker he didn't think was a bunker on the final hole on the final day, the penalty knocking him out of a playoff. He said he's learned from each major failure. He's in good form. He has plenty of power. And he loves Whistling Straits.
JASON DAY
Age: 27
Tale of the Tape: 6-0, 195 pounds
2015 record: 15 starts, wins in the Farmers Insurance Open and RBC Canadian Open, seven top-10s
2015 major record: Tied for 28th in the Masters, tied for ninth in the U.S. Open, tied for fourth in the British Open
Career major record as a pro: 20 starts, nine top-10s
The skinny: The Thunder from Down Under has been close to breaking his major maiden, no more so than when he left his putt two inches short on the 72nd hole of the British Open this year and missed the playoff by one. The next week he won the RBC Canadian Open, making birdies on the final three holes to win by one. That finish gives him loads of confidence, and he has plenty of firepower to take on massive Whistling Straits.
TIGER WOODS
Age: 39
Tale of the Tape: 6-1, 185 pounds
2015 record: Nine starts, three missed cuts, one withdrawal, zero top-10s
2015 major record: Tied for 17th in the Masters, missed cut in the U.S. Open, missed cut in the British Open
Career major record as a pro: 69 starts, four Masters titles, three U.S. Open wins, 3 British Open victories, four PGA Championship triumphs
The skinny: He's done, he's back, he's done, he's back. The most polarizing and popular player in the game has flashed some brilliance this year. He's also tossed in many clunkers; three rounds in the 80s, for instance. He continues work on his latest new swing and said his power and speed are returning. He no longer has issues around the greens and is putting better of late. He played well in his last start in the Quicken Loans National. But he hasn't won a major since winning on a broken leg in the 2008 U.S. Open.
PHOTOS: PGA Championship practice rounds