Woods, first-timers target Southern Hills07.08.2007 03:02 SportsBy Mark Lamport-Stokes TULSA, Oklahoma (Reuters) - Tiger Woods goes into this week's PGA Championship as red-hot favourite to win the title for a fourth time, although lovers of golfing trivia might prefer a different outcome. Should a first-time major winner triumph at Southern Hills on Sunday, he would complete only the second sweep of the grand slam events by breakthrough champions in 38 years. American Zach Johnson held off Woods to win the Masters, Argentina's Angel Cabrera claimed the U.S. Open at Oakmont and Irishman Padraig Harrington edged out Spaniard Sergio Garcia in a playoff for last month's British Open. Four first-timers have not hogged the season's majors since 2003 when Canadian Mike Weir took the Masters, Jim Furyk the U.S. Open, Ben Curtis the British Open and Shaun Micheel the PGA Championship. Of all the majors in recent times, the PGA attracts the strongest field and yet has been the most likely to throw up a surprise winner. The championship was won in consecutive years by unheralded Americans Rich Beem (2002) and Micheel, underlining that any player is capable of victory if his game is on song. Yet it is very difficult to look past the remarkable Woods as he bids to win his 13th career major and ensure he ends this season with at least one grand slam title. The world number one, fresh from a runaway victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday, is in prime form and few would bet against the American completing a successful defence at Southern Hills Country Club. Continued... Source: reuters.comwww.alllee.com |
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