Bad weather blew in and suspended round two of the 100th PGA Championship. Many players did not finish and my pick to win, Rory McIlroy was one. This might be a good thing because McIlroy did not have anything going, so a rest today might help. Today at Bellerive, it will be sunny and hot; so both the second and third rounds will be completed today barring any unforeseen circumstances. However, I wonder if having to play approximately 30 holes of golf will help or hurt the players who have not finished their second round?
Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner are setting a torrent pace. At minus 10 and minus 9 respectively, I have to say that I underestimated their resolve. With Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka hot on their heels, the pressure on moving day will be greater than normal. Before we start handing out the Wanamaker Trophy, players like Rickie Fowler at minus 7 still have to complete their second round. Being only 3 strokes back, Fowler might be the second round leader changing the face of the leaderboard.
Pete Robbins from White Dragon Golf rightly suggested that the players already in the club house might have an advantage because they only have to focus on playing well in the third round. He stated that players like Rory McIlroy, who are on the bubble of making the cut, might feel additional pressure when playing 30 holes of golf today. I agree with Pete, but also think that these great players should handle that kind of pressure today, but tomorrow fatigue could be an underlying factor.
I am still holding out hope that Phil Mickelson will make the cut. He has 10 holes to play and needs to do so in 4 our 5 under. This is not out the realm of possibility for Phil, but the way he has played to date makes it a difficult challenge. Regardless, I am rooting for him to make a surge and make the cut. With the Ryder Cup looming in the horizon, playing on the weekend at the last Major of 2018 will go a long way for Phil being invited to France.
Plenty of great golf will be played today! With the second and third rounds being completed today, what do you think Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy’s chances are of making the cut?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Jim,
Rory; Yes. Phil; No. We’ve expected great play from Phil for so long that it’s a little sad to see him struggle to put four good rounds together in a major. Age is slowly taking its toll on him but at least there’s been no huge drop off in performance. Even though he’s won more recently, his high water mark in my mind was the great duel and subsequent loss to Stenson at The Open. Ever since, it’s been a slow decline in consistency. Hoping he is still selected for what will likely be his last Ryder Cup. Enjoy the action today!
Brian
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Brian,
I agree with everything you said. It is difficult to watch great players slowly decline. It is a fact of life for these elite players. I would suggest that Phil and Tiger might be the last of the legends to play so well into their 40s. I am not convinced the younger players have the staying power. We shall see. Enjoy today’s action.
Cheers Jim
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