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`Genuine Champ Winning PGA`

Posted August. 15, 2001 08:48,   

한국어

``I`ll mark the period.``

Tiger Woods (US) won the three major competitions except the Masters out of the four major titles last year. At that time, a question was not `Who is going to win?`, but `How will Woods win?`.

But the situation has changed a lot this year. Earlier, Woods wore a green jacket and appeared dominant. However, in the US Open, Retief Goosen (South Africa) won and in British Open, David Duval (US) won respectively. The winner`s face has changed each time.

Thus, the 83rd PGA championship, which is the last major competition for men`s pro-golfers, will be more interesting, starting from the night of August 16 (Korean Time) held at Athletic Club in Atlanta, Georgia in US.

Triple Crown

Woods aims to win three years in a row. This competition was originally a `match play`, but it became `stroke play’ in 1958.

During the period of `match play`, Walter Hagen won the championship four years in a row in 1927. Since 1958, Woods was the first to win the championship two years in a row last year. According to a magazine Golfdigest, the winning probability of Woods is 5 to 1, which was also similarly predicted in other analyses to win the Warner-Maker trophy. Nevertheless, he was just 25th in the British Open last month and was ashamed to fall out of `Top 10` in the latest 4 competitions in a row.

Tiger Hunting

Golfers, who have suffered `Tiger Syndrome`, stretch their shoulders widely. Duval, who aims to win two major championships, is the strongest candidate to win the championship because Atlanta is like his hometown. Although Duval could not join the championship due to injury last year, he may become the first that will win not only the British Open but also the PGA championship consecutively ever since Nick Price in 1994. Phil Michelson (US), 2nd in the world ranking, won two competitions in Atlanta area last year and is willing to win the championship in the same area, dusting off the unsatisfied desire of no major title.

Vijay Singh (Fiji), Ernie Els (South Africa) and Davis Love III (US) are also looking forward to winning the championship.

18th hole in fear

The athletic club, that has not held this competition for 20 years since 1981, had a course of Par 72 originally. Now it has a course Par 70, changing 2nd and 18th holes from Par 5 to Par 4 respectively. The total course length is a little bit lengthy 7213 yards. Since there are 13 doglegged holes, the play may not be easy. Although green speed and bunker are not difficult, the `Bermuda Roughs`, which are very tough, are highly demanding.

Since there are 4 holes (Par 4) with over 440 yards long, it will be advantageous for long distance golfers. In particular, the 18th hole (490 yard), which is the longest Par 4 hole ever, is expected to be the place to determine the winner. Since it is a doglegged hole with a lake on the left, an excessive two-on try may be disastrous.



Kim Jong-Seok kjs0123@donga.com