Just Like Home?

No major championship is ever boring, but not many are like the 2010 U.S. PGA.

Although sometimes treated as the forgotten major, its crucial timing in a Ryder Cup year always piques the interest. This year, that's not the only reason.

The PGA is being played at Whistling Straits, one of the most unusual and spectacular courses on the American continent. Host to the PGA in 2004, the course is modelled on the links courses of Ireland, with signposts pointing east to Ballybunion, Royal Portrush, and Portmarnock stationed outside the clubhouse.

As with so many top US courses, it was the genius of Pete Dye that brought Herb Kohler's dreams to reality. Dye and wife Alice came to the shores of Lake Michigan, shifted some soil around, got some dunes going, and hey presto - you'd think you were in Co. Kerry.

The course is long - certain holes require close to a 300-yard carry off the tee - but the emphasis is on accuracy. Paul McGinley, not noted for his length, finished 6th here in 2004 when Vijay Singh took the title. As with most majors, you can't have a weakness, but the focus is on hitting fairways and scrambling. On a course with an average of 53 bunkers per hole, you've got to be confident of getting up and down - you're not going to avoid them all.

So how will this semi-Irish course suit the Irish players? The wind will blow, and as Graeme McDowell has already noted, there'll be days when he'll feel like he's at Portrush or Royal County Down. It should give a slight advantage to the British and Irish players, but not much more than that. The top players in the world these days know how to play links golf - just look at how tough it's been to get a homegrown winner of the Open.

One man whom it might help more than others is Shane Lowry - with far less experience of major golf than his fellow countrymen, he'll feel more at home on this course than he would on Hazeltine, or Baltusrol. With his one win coming in the gales at Baltray, Lowry will be looking to capitalize on any advantage present. I don't expect him to contend seriously, but a solid 3-day performance at the Open shows that his game's in decent nick, and I'd be confident of him making the cut.

Darren Clarke had a decent finish here in 2004, tying for 13th place, and some recent form will give him hope this week. However, the fact is that his priorities have changed in the last few years. He showed at Loch Lomond that he still has some great golf left in him, but to expect him to hold it together for four days at the highest level is to much to ask. While he still harbours hope of making the Ryder Cup team, he can realistcally look forward to being a very important vice-captain.

Graeme McDowell is looking to reignite his game after the inevitable come-down following his U.S. Open triumph. He showed some good form last week in Ohio, and the course should suit him down to the ground - he hits it long and straight, is a fantastic iron player, and isn't afraid to make the putts he needs. I expect to see him in the mix this week, and when he gets pumped he's tough to stop.

Rory McIlroy - The bookies have him at 3rd favourite in the field, and they know what they're doing. He's continuing his relentless run of good golf, shooting four rounds under par last week at Firestone, one of only two players to do so (the other being Bo Van Pelt - tune in tomorrow).

He's steadily moving towards one of the top spots in the world, and the first major isn't too far away. I've always worried slightly over his putting, but since his win at Quail Hollow it seems to be in better shape, and if he can roll the ball well this week he's got to be a contender.

Finally, the main man. His last win worldwide came at the U.S. PGA two years ago, and that's not right. Padraig Harrington is back - he's always a slow starter in the season, hitting his straps once summer rolls around, and his performances in Killarney and Ohio have shown him to be hitting form just in time for the final major. The fact that his putting was off in his T-9 finish last week actually encourages me - it shows that his long game's back in shape, and let's face it - Harrington's putting's never going to be dodgy for too long.

I honestly think Harrington is going to win this week - the focus is still there, and the game is rejoining it. He loves nothing better than going head to head with the world's best, and he's got as much major experience as anyone out there now. The fact that a win would secure his spot on Monty's team for Celtic Manor would be icing on an already delicious cake.

I'll be back tomorrow to weigh up the chances of the non-Irish players in the field, but they'll have their work cut out to beat Paddy.

Abu Dhabi Doo!

The Abu Dhabi Championship may only be five years old, but already it has all the hallmarks of a classic. Today, Martin Kaymer claimed the trophy for the second time in three years as he overcame Ian Poulter by a single shot.

In 2008, Kaymer saw a six-shot lead disintegrate before managing to hang on to his maiden Tour title. Having finished runner-up last year, this year was different once again - leading by a stroke with 18 holes to go, neither Kaymer nor Poulter dropped shots in their rounds of 66, and it took a birdie on the last for the German to ensure victory.

Martin Kaymer is only 25, but already he looks supremely assured on the course - he shot 67-67-67-66 this week to win his 5th European Tour title, and seems at ease playing with the best. This win moves him up to a career-high world number 6, and the way he looked this week it's obvious that the best is yet to come. He has a wonderful swing, and his putting was key this week. He's shown bottle in all of his wins, including two playoff victories, and Colin Montgomerie will already be licking his chops at the Ryder Cup pairings he can plan for the young German.

When Ian Poulter is on from, he's on form. Give him a scent of the lead and he'll go after it like a terrier. We've seen him hold his nerve before - at the Open Championship in 2008, and the Ryder Cup later that year - this week's play suggests he's heading for a good year. He won in Singapore in November to bring an end to a 3-year winless streak - he might never go that long without a victory again. His runner-up spot this week has lifted him into the world's top 10 for the first time, and they'd better get used to him. He'll be disappointed that he couldn't put his approach to the 18th today a little closer to give himself an easier put for the playoff, but he knows his game is back, and there's no one more confident in his own ability.

Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do in the end - an early bogey caused him to slip off the pace of the leaders, and while he picked up 4 shots on the back nine, he needed an eagle on the last to force a playoff. Once his drive found the thick rough off the right-hand fairway, his race was practically run. He's started the year well once again, however, and he'll be looking forward to defending his title in Dubai in a fortnight.

One more player who deserves a mention is Shane Lowry - the young Irishman failed to make ground yesterday with a 71, and a 67 today could only leave him in 4th place. Not bad however, for a man who was an amateur this time last year. Lowry has faced a lot of criticism since his Irish Open win, but let's face it - the move from amateur to professional is not easy, and it was always going to take him some time to find his form. He's started the year well, and if you remember his win in Baltray you'll remember his guts - he didn't have an easy time of it that rainy Sunday - he lost his lead and regained it, before eventually prevailing in a playoff. There's plenty more of Lowry to come in 2010.

The Tour stays in the Gulf for the next two weeks, and we head to Qatar on Thursday, where Alvaro Quiros, one of the most exciting talents on the Tour along with Kaymer and McIlroy, is defending. Join me again this week to have a look at what he faces.

A New Week, A New Story

On Sunday, Shane Lowry's life changed forever. After one event, he's national champion, national hero, and in a better position than guys on Tour for 20 years. It now seems likely that he'll be joining the professional ranks in the very near future, although he won't be teeing up in Wentworth this week, despite speculation to that effect. The Walker Cup is a big deal, but when you've just earned a two-year exemption on Tour, it's in a different perspective. Pretty soon, he'll be thinking about Celtic Manor 2010 instead.

Lowry's life may be upside down, but for everyone else out there, it's just another week. Robert Rock, Johan Edfors, Alistair Forsyth, and other contenders from last week have already set their sights on Wentworth as the next potential victory. The flagship event of the European Tour is here and, as usual, we can expect a cracker.

One year ago, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Oliver Wilson treated us to a thrilling playoff finish culminating in success for the Spaniard. Since then, however, both men's fortunes have changed. Jimenez has started the season sluggishly, and is coming off a missed cut at Baltray, while Wilson has come to be known as the bridesmaid of the European Tour. With 8 European Tour runner-up finishes and not a win to his credit, the Ryder Cup player badly needs a win to relieve the pressure. As we've seen with so many players over the years, it's a monkey on the back, and the longer you let it cling, the harder it becomes to dislodge. 

 Wilson showed good form at Baltray last week until the final round, and hopefully he's shaken off the neck injury that has troubled him in recent months.

Wentworth is always a fantastic venue, not least because of its finish - two par 5s at the 17th and 18th allow for massive swings in the lead on the final stretch, and, as Shane Lowry would tell you, you shouldn't count your chickens before you come to that bridge.

Competition is as strong as ever: Henrik Stenson makes his first start since his magnificent win at Sawgrass, while Retief Goosen, Luke Donald (in his first European appearance in 12 months), Lee Westwood, Robert Karlsson, and Paul Casey are all back. Masters champion Angel Cabrera is looking to continue his fantastic season at a course where he's tasted success previously. No man has had more success at Wentworth than Ernie Els, winning the Matchplay here about 47 times, although so far the BMW (or Volvo as was) has eluded him.

Karlsson has yet to reproduce the form that saw him win the Order of Merit last year, but, as is customary, he hasn't played that many tournaments yet this year and is only getting into his stride; there's no doubt that he'll be back in the winner's circle before long.

Notable by his absence is Padraig Harrington, who misses Wentworth for the fourth time in seven years, claiming that the course simply doesn't suit his game. After a missed cut at the Irish Open that surprised Harrington as much as anyone, the double major champion undoubtedly needs some time to get his game together, having posted only one top-10 finish this year. Although he's a man  who doesn't need to be in form to shake things up (as evidence in last year's triumphs), he hasn't shown anything near his class in 2009.

As well as the favourites, there are a few outside bets to watch out for. Colin Montgomerie, winner of three Volvo PGA's on the trot in the 1990s, showed some good form in Baltray last week, and is a tasty 100/1 at the bookies. After a solid start to the season, Ignacio Garrido has quietened down again, but the 2003 champion is worth a flutter at 175/1.

Finally, Thomas Bjorn continued to show bursts of form in Louth last week following two top 10s, and as another man who's posted good finishes at Wentworth before he can't be ignored, always playing his best golf in Britain and Ireland.

The PGA promises another week of compelling golf, and marks the beginning of the European Tour's golfing summer. With only a month to go to the US Open, rising stars such as Louis Oosthuizen and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano will be trying to force their way in the world's top 50 to gain a place at Bethpage Black in June. With 3 major championships in 2 months, it is, as always, as huge time for players all round the world as they seek to join the elite.

As ever, it begins again this week.