Jason Day, of Australia, tees off on the sixth hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Bellerive Country Club, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

100th PGA Championship Preview

The 100th PGA Championship tees off August 9th through the 12th at the Bellerive Country Club.

Justin Thomas is entering the tournament off recently winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and is the reigning winner of the 2017 PGA Championship. Thomas is expected to be one of the top performers during this upcoming tournament. Some of the other favorites include Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlory, and Tiger Woods.

About the Course

Located in the Midwest and in a suburb of St. Louis, the Bellerive Country Club opened in 1897. The club, formally known as The Field Club, originally had nine-holes and had a starting total of 166 members.

Years later the course had an addition of nine-holes, but was soon relocated to Normandy. After the move, the club was renamed after French governor Louis St. Ange De Bellerive. The Bellerive Country Club now features a course with 7,547 yards and is a par 72.

Bellerive has hosted two major golf championships including the U.S. Open in 1965 and the 74th PGA Championship in 1992. In 2001, The American Express World Golf Championship was scheduled to be played during September, but was later canceled due to the unfortunate events of 9/11.

Bellerive has also hosted the inaugural Mid-Amateur Championship in 1981, the US Senior Open in 2004, the 2008 BMW Championship, the 2013 Senior PGA Championship and now the 100th PGA Championship.

Rory McIlory appreciates the tough, but fair layout of Bellerive.

The Weather

St. Louis, Missouri has been battling a heat wave this summer. With temperatures reaching an abnormally high heat index and heavy humidity, the weather does not look to be in favor of the players. Temperatures have reached a scorching high of 105 degrees this summer, but have dropped to an average high of 87 degrees for the month of August.

PGA of America allowed players to wear shorts during practice rounds, but they must return to trousers when the PGA Championship begins.

 

Tiger Woods believes that the golf course is going to be tough to play on due to the increased heat and the damp greens.

Past PGA Championship Winners 

  • 2017 – Justin Thomas
  • 2016 – Jimmy Walker
  • 2015 – Jason Day
  • 2014 – Rory McIlory
  • 2013 – Jason Dufner
  • 2012 – Rory McIlory
  • 2011 – Keegan Bradley
  • 2010 – Martin Kaymer
  • 2009 – Y.E. Yang
  • 2008 – Padraig Harrington
  • 2007 – Tiger Woods

About Reilly Arundell

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