With his left knee apparently functional, Tiger Woods is the easy choice to win the PGA Championship coming to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska August 10-16. Chip Beck, who had 20 second place finishes on the PGA tour during his career and is now on the Champions Tour, told Sports Headliners he believes Woods is recovered from the reconstructive surgery on his left knee that sidelined him for much of 2008.
“It sure looks like it,” Beck said. “And I know one thing. That knee is not jamming off the ground and his foot is staying on the ground… a smoother transition into that leg. He should have a long career. …”
Woods hasn’t been dominant since returning in 2009 but he has won some events including the Memorial Tournament. He started slow at yesterday’s British Open with an opening round 71.
With 14 major titles, he could move within three of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 by winning the PGA here. Beck was asked what’s required to win a major like the PGA.
“I think it takes all of a person,” he said. “Clearly you have to have a great short game. But most importantly you have to really believe that you can actually win. And to set up and handle all the anxious thoughts and feelings, and coming there and direct your mind like Tiger Woods does. Hitting the fairways (and ) hitting the greens. Hitting it and making those putts basically is what it comes down to.
“But you don’t have to be perfect. I think you just have to manage your game well. And clearly the guy that wins is the best putter.”
Beck describes Woods as a once in a lifetime player who can be “unstoppable” because of his mental control. While some consider Phil Mickelson a rival, Beck isn’t so sure.
“I don’t know that there’s much rivalry, really,” he said. “Other than the fact Phil is probably his best competition. Phil is just a tremendously gifted player. …At another time he would be the Tiger Woods. I think fortunately for Phil he’s got a guy to push him like Tiger Woods. …”
Beck once shot a remarkable 59 at the Las Vegas Invitational in 1991. There won’t be any 59’s at Hazeltine, a course that’s been playing head games with the pros since the first major was held there in 1970 (U.S. Open). That was the year Dave Hill quipped that developers ruined a good farm when they built the Chaska course which was only missing “80 acres of corn and a few cows.”
The course has been lengthened since the PGA was held here in 2002.