Capelle On Golf

PGA Championship Coverage

To the winner of next week’s PGA, which dates back to 1916, goes the Wannamaker Trophy, which is named in honor of the founder. Every winner also gets the first place check, 100 WGR points, endorsements, and the adulation of the golf world. His name will also come right after Tiger Woods’ in the history books. And lastly, a win means those who are playing for history will have join Ben Hogan in taming Oakland Hills, the monster.

Here is a rundown on those who have the most to gain. Since Mickelson and Els are late in their primes and winning majors is never certain (both are 3 for 58 in the majors since 1994), the winner could stake his claim the second best player of the Woods Era.

Phil Mickelson 4th Ties him with Ray Floyd
A win would take him out of the nine player club that’s won three majors in the Modern Era (ME).
He would be tied for ninth place at four with Ray Floyd. If you buy into the argument that THE PLAYERS is a tiebreaker, then he moves ahead of Floyd.
A win would give him two Masters and two PGAs.
A win would pull him to within 6-4 of Woods in majors since 2004.
A win would end a 10 major drought that began after he won the 2006 Masters.

Ernie Els’ Third Different Major
A PGA would give him three different majors and the eighth player in the ME to reach this milestone.
A win would tie him with Ray Floyd for ninth most majors in the ME.
A win would end his six year majorless stretch.
He would become a solid pick for the top 10 in the ME.

Vijay Singh’s Grand Finale
Singh has failed to record a top four in a major since winning the PGA in 2004. He is in the twilight of a great career, but he could take a huge leap in the perceptions of the golf world if he were to win his third PGA this week PGA.
His third PGA would put him in third place in the Modern Era behind Nicklaus (5) and Woods (4).
A win would tie him with Ray Floyd for ninth most majors in the ME.
A win would end a 15 major long stretch without a top four.
He would become a solid pick for the top 10 in the ME.

Retief Goosen Enters the Triple Majors Club
Retief Goosen is usually plays very well in at least one major each year. If he won the PGA he would join the nine member triple major winners club in the ME.
A win would at the PGA would give him his second different major.
A win would secure his place in the Hall of Fame. (Note: the four players mentioned previously are already guaranteed their spot in the HOF).

Padraig Harrington Becomes a Triple Major Winner
He would join Els, Mickelson, and Singh as a member of the triple majors club in the Woods Era.
He would have won two different majors.
He would win two in a season, and two in a row.
A win would give him three majors in two seasons, a feat not equaled (other than Woods) since Nick Faldo did it in 1989-1990.

Enter the Double Majors Club
Jim Furyk – His first PGA gives him two different majors. Closes in on the Hall of Fame.
Trevor Immelman – Joins Jack Nicklaus as the only two players to win the first and last major of the year.
Angel Cabrera – A PGA would validate his surprise win at the 2007 US Open
Justin Leonard – A PGA would look good alongside his 1997 British Open.
Geoff Ogilvy – His second major would move position him for a strong run in his 30s.
Mike Weir – His second in a different major.
Zach Johnson – His second in a different major.
David Toms – His second PGA puts his career on a par with Dave Stockton.

Breaking the Ice
They say the first one is the toughest. The members of this list of top 50 players would dearly love to get the major’s monkey off their back and start making some history of their own.
Sergio Garcia - Adam Scott - Stewart Cink - K.J. Choi - Anthony Kim - Justin Rose - Luke Donald – Lee Westwood