PGA Championship Insights: 2018 BMW Championship Recap

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Smylie Kaufman Show

Reflections on the 2018 BMW Championship and Expectations for the PGA Championship

The 2018 BMW Championship was notably held a year after the restoration, where Keegan Bradley emerged victorious over Justin Rose after a playoff. The course conditions were quite challenging due to the wet weather, highlighting the remarkable talent of these top players. Kerry Hay's strategic course setup played a crucial role, essentially allowing the original design by Donald Ross to shine through, trusting Hay to adjust as needed.

Looking ahead to this week's PGA Championship, there is a strong desire for firm and dry conditions which would provide a robust challenge to the players. John Goslin, the golf course superintendent, is praised for his ability to maintain the course in top condition. The ideal defense against skilled players includes a combination of thick rough and firm greens, which can lead to unpredictable ball behavior and make the course considerably more challenging.

The unpredictability is compounded by weather conditions such as wind. If the weather remains dry and windy, the course will be a formidable test for the players. However, if conditions are as wet as they were during the 2018 championship, players are likely to post low scores, not due to any shortcoming of the course but simply due to more favorable playing conditions. Ultimately, the weather and course setup play crucial roles in determining how the players perform.