The second major of 2021 is the US PGA at Kiawah Island, with this tournament having moved from August to May. The early mail from Kiawah is that this is one long golf course, with the back nine measuring some 4 000 yards. It is refreshing for those of us in the audience who struggle for distance to hear the pros complain about this element of the game in the coming major challenge. Technique and equipment has had the best players hitting wedges into par 4s and short irons into par 5s for too long. It will be interesting to watch the competitors hitting long irons into greens with strong winds playing their part on this seaside course.

A Windy & Long Challenge at the US PGA in 2021

The US PGA regularly assembles the best international field for any major each year. Last year at Harding Park saw Collin Morikawa achieve victory in the first Covid major of 2020. Great stroke play ensured this classy player edged out all comers. This year we have seen returns from the wilderness for Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy with victories in tough tournaments. Jordan Spieth could bank a career Grand Slam with a win at the US PGA. Brookes Koepka a two-time PGA winner has struggled with injury over the last year and doubts about his fitness continue. Dustin Johnson, the No 1 player in the world, will be a favourite to win once again with his length and improved putting.

Form Players Going into this Major

Form players going into this long and windy major challenge include Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Sam Burns, and Collin Morikawa. Four days of intense major golf in South Carolina will test the mettle of these golf professionals. The wind is predicted to turn in the opposite direction on Sunday after three days of going one way. This will make many long holes go from being downwind to severely into strong winds. Who will be able to adapt to this four club shift when the pressure is at its zenith? Which player will meet the challenge at Kiawah Island to be crowned US PGA champion in 2021?

Aussies at the 2021 US PGA Championship

Aussies in the field for this major are Adam Scott, Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith, Jason Day, Matt Jones, Lucas Herbert, and Jason Scrivener. Cameron Smith and March Leishman are the form Australians in this US PGA at Kiawah Island with a recent victory on the US tour. Leishman is a known wind player who excels in these kinds of conditions. Adam Scott is always a factor in the majors. Jason Day is badly out of form. Matt Jones has had a recent victory. Lucas Herbert hits the ball a long way. Jason Scrivener is a talented golfer on the European tour and could be an emerging world talent.

Who Will Win?

Rory McIlroy is long off the tee and has returned to form with a recent victory. The crowds are back too, which will boost Rory’s chances in this major championship. Rory won the PGA here nearly a decade ago and a return serve would not surprise this correspondent. Marc Leishman might be a dark horse and it would be great to see an Aussie climb that major mountain once again.

©GolfDom