The PGA – A huge test at Kiawah Island!

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It is time for the second major of the professional golf season, and it might be the toughest of the year as the PGA kicks off Thursday at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island in South Carolina.

Collin Morikawa is the defending champion, having won the 2020 tournament at Harding Park in Daly City last August.

The seaside course is longest in major championship history at 7,876 yards (the back nine alone can play 4,000 yards) and figures to have its share of frustrating wind.

Throw in the course was designed by Pete and Alice Dye and it will be a struggle for players to finish under par as they fight for the first place check of $1.98 million.

Should players be tied coming Sunday afternoon, there is a three-hole aggregate playoff on holes 10, 17, and 18.

The last time the PGA was played at The Ocean Course was in 2012 and it was won by Rory McIlroy. A big difference is the tournament was played in August, not May.

McIlroy, for one, sees the time of year a major difference.

“It’s different. It’s a different time of year,” said McIlroy of the how the course will play in May as opposed to August. “I think one of the biggest differences that I’ve noticed is it’s not going to be as easy around the greens as it was last time.

I think you’re going to see guys playing a lot of different shots this week than maybe you saw back in 2012 around the greens.”

Bryson DeChambeau, who overpowered Winged Foot to win the U.S. Open and has become the long-drive legend of the PGA Tour, knows this week will be different.

“This golf course is a beast. Hopefully I can unleash the beast, but you never know. I’d say for the most part you have to hit it pretty straight out here, even though you hit it pretty far, or I’m hitting it pretty far,” said DeChambeau. “I’m sure the tee boxes will be moved up in certain areas, but for most players out there, if you don’t hit it long, it’s going to be a tough week, especially hitting hybrid or 3-iron or 4-iron into these greens that are so penalizing around the green complexes.”

Some of the interesting groupings with their first round tee times (PDT) are: Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Tyrrell Hatton (4:38 a.m.); Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka (5:33 a.m.); Collin Morikawa, Bryson DeChambeau, Hideki Matsuyama (5:44 a.m.); Phil Mickelson, Jason Day, Padraig Harrington (10:14 a.m.); Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed (10:25 a.m.); Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth, Will Zalatoris (10:58 a.m.); Dustin Johnson, Shane Lowry, Sergio Garcia (11:09 a.m.).

So, who wins this week? Let me break it down in a few categories.

The favorites: McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, DeChambeau.

McIlroy must figure for his past success on the course, as well as his game rounding into shape given his win two weeks ago. Rahm always needs to be among the favorites in any major. Speith has found his game, and this is the one he needs for the career grand slam. Thomas has got all the tools and won the 2017 PGA. DeChambeau belongs on this list on his length off the tee alone. The key will be putting for DeChambeau as he has struggled recently.

Good shot: Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama, Will Zalatoris, Patrick Reed, and Dustin Johnson.

It’s not often when the top ranked player in the world is not listed among the favorites but that’s the case with Johnson. Could he win it? Sure, but something just doesn’t seem right with his game.

Morikawa will have the confidence it takes to win it again. Schauffele is the most underrated player in the world and one I am figuring for more than one major. Koepka would be my choice if he was back to 100 percent, but it appears he is not quite there yet. Matsuyama took a big step in the confidence department with his win in the Masters. Zalatoris is the wise guy choice and gets mentioned by just about all experts as a dark-horse. Reed is a lightning rod for golf fans as they seem to love him or hate him.

It figures to be a great four days of golf and a thrilling finish on Sunday!

By Dennis Miller