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| Valhalla gives Rory McIlroy hope of second successive major in US PGA | Valhalla gives Rory McIlroy hope of second successive major in US PGA |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Valhalla lies on the outskirts of Louisville, the city where Muhammad Ali was born and raised. Six years have passed since the course hosted its last high-profile duel but, as the world’s elite players descend on Kentucky this week for the US PGA Championship, a location rich in golfing pedigree is preparing to stage another heavyweight bout. | |
| For some European players at the final major of the year, Valhalla will not be remembered with too much fondness. It was in 2008 when Paul Azinger’s American team emerged victorious there in the Ryder Cup, convincingly beating Nick Faldo’s Europe 16½ to 11½ and ending a nine-year US drought in front of a partisan crowd. | For some European players at the final major of the year, Valhalla will not be remembered with too much fondness. It was in 2008 when Paul Azinger’s American team emerged victorious there in the Ryder Cup, convincingly beating Nick Faldo’s Europe 16½ to 11½ and ending a nine-year US drought in front of a partisan crowd. |
| Perhaps that experience is what prompted Sergio García, to say last week that “it’s not my favourite golf course in the world” and to question the difficulty of the Jack Nicklaus-designed terrain when conditions are wet. Yet the in-form Spaniard, runner-up in his last two tournaments, admitted that he was looking forward to visiting a course that has undergone a number of significant alterations since his last visit, a par 71 that measures in at 7,458 yards. | |
| Nicklaus was brought in to design Valhalla in 1986 but returned in 2011 to renovate a course where accuracy from the fairway is key to success. The changes include 18 new greens – re-contoured to USGA standards – more penal rough and a modern irrigation system. | |
| The last time the PGA Championship was held at Valhalla – 14 years ago – Tiger Woods won a play-off against Bob May with both players finishing on 18 under par after four rounds. It was the joint lowest overall score at the tournament since the strokeplay format was introduced in 1958, but things may not be so comfortable for the field this time around. | |
| The rough around the putting surfaces is thick, reseeded with mixed blue grass, while the new greens allow for a number of different pin locations. | |
| Indeed on the par-four 16th, Sunday’s pin position will be decided by fans following an online vote with four possible options. | |
| It is a course that many believe will suit Rory McIlroy, the Open champion who is attempting to secure back-to-back major titles and comes into the tournament after another success at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, given that high and soft approaches to the greens are favourable. | It is a course that many believe will suit Rory McIlroy, the Open champion who is attempting to secure back-to-back major titles and comes into the tournament after another success at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, given that high and soft approaches to the greens are favourable. |
| There are a certain number of holes where distance from the tee is an advantage, notably the 500-yard par-four 2nd which was played as a par-five when the championship was last held at Valhalla. However, it is accuracy from the fairway that, according to those familiar with the course, will be the most important asset. | |
| Keith Reese, the general manager and PGA professional, said: “I don’t think this is a power golfers’ course. It forces you to hit certain shots – on six you have to hit the shot that the course wants you to play. The same on the 4th and the 12th. You have to play it one way. Overall it requires consistency and good iron play from the fairway. | |
| “You have got to have a plan and you have got to be on the fairway. Especially on a hole like 16. It’s the same on 17 – if you miss the fairway on the wrong spot it’s really tough.” | |
| Seve Ballesteros may not have flourished here, therefore. As Reese says, on some holes the players will be forced to play shots rather than creating an unorthodox and flair route of their own. The 6th hole, for example, is a 495-yard par-four, but players will not take a driver from the tee, instead having to lay up before Floyd’s Fork on a dog-leg right that requires a second shot of comfortably over 200 yards. | Seve Ballesteros may not have flourished here, therefore. As Reese says, on some holes the players will be forced to play shots rather than creating an unorthodox and flair route of their own. The 6th hole, for example, is a 495-yard par-four, but players will not take a driver from the tee, instead having to lay up before Floyd’s Fork on a dog-leg right that requires a second shot of comfortably over 200 yards. |
| The 7th is equally testing, but does at least provide different options. It is the classic risk and reward hole, with a split fairway that provides a shorter approach to the green on a long 597-yard par-five. The left fairway shortens the hole by 50 yards but the landing area is only 26 yards wide, adjacent to water, and the second shot from there still needs to be well over 200 yards to a green guarded by further hazards. | The 7th is equally testing, but does at least provide different options. It is the classic risk and reward hole, with a split fairway that provides a shorter approach to the green on a long 597-yard par-five. The left fairway shortens the hole by 50 yards but the landing area is only 26 yards wide, adjacent to water, and the second shot from there still needs to be well over 200 yards to a green guarded by further hazards. |
| The new greens mean that the significant four-feet breaks, which were previously extremely prevalent at Valhalla, have been reduced. However, each putting surface has been remastered so that there are subtle movements of three to four inches, providing a nuanced test of judgment. | The new greens mean that the significant four-feet breaks, which were previously extremely prevalent at Valhalla, have been reduced. However, each putting surface has been remastered so that there are subtle movements of three to four inches, providing a nuanced test of judgment. |
| Roger Meier, the Valhalla superintendent, said: “The putting surfaces have been softened since 2008. Jack came back with a different design phase and did a really good job. We’ve also got a few new bunkers on the golf course, one on 15. | Roger Meier, the Valhalla superintendent, said: “The putting surfaces have been softened since 2008. Jack came back with a different design phase and did a really good job. We’ve also got a few new bunkers on the golf course, one on 15. |
| “The rough is all new, it’s a different kind of grass. We shut the course down in September 2011 and killed all the rough and it’s been reseeded with a blue grass mix. It’s a lot thicker and a lot more difficult than before.” | “The rough is all new, it’s a different kind of grass. We shut the course down in September 2011 and killed all the rough and it’s been reseeded with a blue grass mix. It’s a lot thicker and a lot more difficult than before.” |
| Another test for the players will be of their temperament in often stifling and humid heat. Valhalla is renowned for thunderstorms that quickly come and go and, while players on the PGA Tour are accustomed to such conditions, mental fortitude will be key if play is stopped temporarily. | |
| The final hole is a 542-yard par-five that provides birdie opportunities and potential drama at the death, where the champion of the final major this year will emerge triumphant. | The final hole is a 542-yard par-five that provides birdie opportunities and potential drama at the death, where the champion of the final major this year will emerge triumphant. |
| Sky Sports’ summer of sport includes the US PGA, F1, England Test cricket and more of the games that matter from the Barclays Premier League | Sky Sports’ summer of sport includes the US PGA, F1, England Test cricket and more of the games that matter from the Barclays Premier League |