Ahead of the final Major of the season being held this week at Kiawah Island, europeantour.com spoke to some of the assembled international media to get their views on who could be set for US PGA Championship glory this week in South Carolina.
James Corrigan, Daily Telegraph golf correspondent
Winner: Dustin Johnson
He is a big, big hitter so he should really suit the Ocean Course at Kiawah. Narrowly missed out on a US PGA once already after that bunker controversy at Whistling Straits in 2010.
Dark horse: Angel Cabrera
He just pops up now and again doesn’t he? It’s going to be a big hitter’s course; he’ll go for everything in that typically aggressive fashion so it could be his week.
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press golf correspondent
Winner: Steve Stricker
He’s been hitting it well all year. Found his putting at Firestone and finished very well. The only thing that could work against him is if he gets into position and lets the moment get the better of him.
Dark horse: Rory McIlroy
Only a dark horse as he’s largely the forgotten man this season. It reminds me of Phil Mickelson in 2005: won early and won big, then didn’t feature all year before popping up to win another big one at the US PGA at the end. He has experience playing on paspalum greens which will help a lot with the short game and he could be the one to end the streak of 16 different Major Champions in a row.
Peter Dixon, The Times golf correspondent
Winner: Rory McIlroy
Because he is ready to stand up to all his critics. Far too good to ignore.
Dark horse: Padraig Harrington
It’s just coming together for him; you just feel after a real struggle he’s finally beginning to turn his game around.
Bob Harig, ESPN.com writer
Winner: Jim Furyk
I think he’s playing very well. He only had one bad hole to miss out at Firestone last Sunday so he’ll be motivated to bounce straight back.
Dark horse: Kyle Stanley
Maybe could be this year’s Keegan Bradley? Won earlier this year and has not done much since, but the US PGA often produces first-time winners.
Karl MacGinty, golf correspondent Irish Independent
Winner: Rory McIlroy
Because Kiawah Island and the Ocean course suits him. It’s going to suit long straight drivers of the ball, right up his alley. Like a links, but not a links, more American style of course.
Dark horse: Nicolas Colsaerts
In my opinion there are so many viable contenders in the field it’s wide open. I don’t even really consider Colsaerts a dark horse as I really wouldn't be surprised if he did well here.
Steve DiMeglio, USA Today golf correspondent
Winner: Dustin Johnson
Long, long, long. And he’s running into form.
Dark horse: John Daly
Also very long and has already won on a US PGA on a Pete Dye course at Crooked Stick in 1991. Played well last week and I think this course will let him spread.
Paul Mahoney, The Independent & Global Golf Post
Winner: Lee Westwood
Channelling the spirit of Team GB I’m going to go for Lee Westwood to break his Major duck. It’s all about fairways and greens with him so I think he has a chance with this layout.
Dark horse: David Toms
Former winner of the US PGA. He’s had two top tens coming into the week and I’m staying in a house with his coach and he says he is playing really well; quietly talking him up.
Ewan Murray, the Guardian golf correspondent
Winner: Louis Oosthuizen
He’s in good form, plays well in the wind, hits it long and has the distance to cope with the Ocean Course even when it’s this soft.
Dark horse: Padraig Harrington
He needs a big week to boost his Ryder Cup hopes, thrives under pressure and has got the experience of winning this tournament before.
Philip Reid, Irish Times golf correspondent
Winner: Bubba Watson
Because he can bomb it anywhere this week on a soft course and he also has the creativity around the greens.
Dark horse: Matteo Manassero
Learned how to play in the Majors at this stage and has the game to score around here.
