PGA Championship Recap: The Year of the Firsts

Doesn't it feel like we just celebrated a major championship across the pond?  Wait, that was only two weeks ago???  #ThanksRio 

The rain soaked/earlier than normal PGA Championship was still able to produce drama on Sunday evening as the competitors scrambled to finish the tournament before darkness set in over Baltustrol.  While many predicted a good showing for Rory McIlroy (who missed the cut) or a determined Phil Mickelson (who made the cut but was never in contention), few predicted a showdown between Jason Day (No. 1) and Jimmy Walker (No. 48).  Walker played solid golf and led wire-to-wire, while Day streaked late to come within a shot of winning back to back Wanamaker Trophies.  

The 98th PGA Championship came down to the 72nd hole for both Day and Walker.  Day hit a laser of a second shot to the Par 5 to setup an eagle putt.  Immediately after striking the shot, Day caught a glimpse of a scoreboard which showed that Walker had birdied 17 and had a 3-stroke lead.  While Day was clearly disappointed, it didn't stop him from rolling in his eagle putt to get to -13 and only one-shot behind Walker.  

Jimmy, positioned in the fairway after his tee shot, elected to go for the green and blocked his approach shot right and into some fairly deep rough.  The ball was on the short side of the green which forced Jimmy to go 20-25 feet past the hole.  Walker hit his birdie putt 3 feet past the hole, and with Day green side to watch the par putt, sunk his final putt of the day to win his first major championship.  

What really stood out, aside from the fact that all four major championships were captured by first-time winners this year, was the incredible display of sportsmanship following Walker's win.  Viewers and patrons saw the Day family embrace and congratulate the Walker family.  Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler were standing by the scoring tent ready to embrace their friend following his first major win.  Those moments are what define golf and what makes the sport stand apart from all others.  

After this week's Wyndham Championship, professional golf goes on a bit of a hiatus as the sport makes it's return to the Olympic games.  After the Olympiad, the FedEx Cup playoffs and the Ryder Cup will finish off the 2016 season.