12 things you must know about the US PGA

1. Rory McIlroy has an exceptional record

Seven starts

• Two wins

• Two top threes

• One top ten

• One top 20

Oh, and look at this stat…

.@McIlroyRory ranks in @PGAChampionship since debut in 2009:

Scoring Avg 1st
Score to par 1st
Rounds in 60s 1st
Birdies/eagles 1st
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 25, 2016

2. Phil Mickelson won last time out

The last time the US PGA Championship was held at Baltusrol, Phil Mickelson made it major win No.2 with a birdie on the final hole for a one-shot victory over Thomas Bjorn and Steve Elkington. Coming off the back of a fantastic Open performance, can Mickelson go one better here?

3. John Daly holds one ‘special’ record

The big-hitting American is the only player to ever find the green in two at the mammoth 647-yard par-5 17th.

4. The course finishes with two par-5s

After the 17th mentioned above, the course concludes with another par-5 but this time measuring only 553 yards. It’s also unique in that it opens with a par-5, too.

5. Jack Nicklaus has a permanent place at Baltusrol

Yep, the 18-time major winner has a plaque in his name to mark his success at the 1967 US Open, where he hit a 237-yard 1-iron approach shot on the 18th as he beat Arnold Palmer in an epic final round clash.

6. First time major winner slam?

Like Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson so far in 2016, should we see a first time major winner at Baltusrol, it would be only the fifth time in history that it has happened – the last of which was 2011 with Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Keegan Bradley. Sergio, Westy and Rickie, now’s the time.

7. And it could be on the cards…

Taking Rory McIlroy’s 2012 and 2014 wins out of the equation, the last five US PGA Championship winners (Y.E Yang, Martin Kaymer, Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner and Jason Day) all secured their first major titles.

8. It’s going to be seriously hot!

Just look at this tweet from Ross Fisher…

Proof how hot it is @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/W956G62bmG
— Ross Fisher (@RossFisher) July 25, 2016

9. Don’t expect double digits under par

Jason Day broke the major score to par record with his 20-under-par total at Whistling Straits last year – but it’s unlikely to even get close here.

Baltusrol has hosted the eight major championships (one US PGA and seven US Opens) and no one has posted a 72-hole total lower than the eight-under-par from Jack Nicklaus (1980 US Open) and Lee Janzen (1993 US Open).

10. Past champs galore

There are 13 past champions in the field this week, including two multiple winners: Jason Day (2015), Rory McIlroy (2012, 2014), Jason Dufner (2013), Keegan Bradley (2011), Martin Kaymer (2010), Y.E. Yang (2009), Padraig Harrington (2008), Phil Mickelson (2005), Vijay Singh (1998, 2004), Shaun Micheel (2003), Rich Beem (2002), David Toms (2001) and John Daly (1991).

11. Club pros are involved

A total of 20 club professionals will be out there, but don’t expect them to pull up any trees. Last time out at Baltusrol, only four out of the 24 club pros made the cut, with Steve Schneiter the best placed in T40.

12. We’re due a random winner

Not since Keegan Bradley at the US PGA Championship in 2011 has a major seen a winner from outside the world top 100. With past champions that include Y.E. Yang (2009), Shaun Micheel (2003), Rich Beem (2002), Mark Brooks (1996) and Wayne Grady (1990), it’s about time we had another rank outsider winner!

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