Oh what a crazy DAY at the 2016 PGA championship. First off, after seeing these guys live, I am simply giving up the sport. Its literally like watching someone have a cheat code for a video game. 300+ yard drive in the fairway, GIR, sink putt.
After sitting on a shuttle bus for 40 minutes, I arrived at the grounds in mid morning after the rain ended (as everyone else). I chose to wear an old pair of golf shoes with soft spikes knowing I'd be "mudding it" instead of ruining another pair of sneakers. First thing most people realized on the way into the venue, "damn I shouldn't have worn these flip flops." Three women went down before I even saw the PGA championship entrance.
Baltusrol was built in the 1920's, when spectators attending events just wasn't on the architects mind. That said, if not for New Jerseyan's being used to crowds, Claustrophobia would definitely describe the scene. For the first 2 hours, I pretty much camped between 17 green, 18 tee, and 5 Green.
After watching several major winners come up hole 5, Spieth, Stenson, Dustin, Danny Willet, Justin Rose, I ventured down to the Wanamaker Club for lunch. This was the biggest disappointment of the day. Way overpriced for what you get access to. After knocking back 2 Brooklyn lagers, and some sliders for $32, I made my way down the
3rd hole to see the far point of the course, and also catch Rory, Phil and Jason Day tee off on 1. Unbelievably, I have Mickelson this week on my team, and the first shot I watched him hit was OB #1 (LOL we think the market is brutal).
I decided that I would start @ #1 and hike the course with the premier groups. So I skipped ahead back to #3 to get a good spot. I took this shot of Day & Phil from inside the Wannamaker club through a window.
Once again, I skipped up to #5 to keep ahead of the Phil, Rory, Day group to find the group of Brooks Koepka, Lee Westwood, and Brandt Snedecker, and virtually no people following this group. HMMM. They were all playing well, I have Koepka this week, maybe I should just stick with this group. So I decided to not fight the overcrowded course and enjoy the walk as they say. Sned's was on fire, shooting a 66, Koepka looked to have an injured ankle, and still shot a 67, and Westwood shot a 70 (I also chased him into the port o pots on 12, which he 3 putt'd for bogey shortly after). Weird I know.
All in all, this was the best experience I have enjoyed in quite some time. I have been absolutely killed in the market for 15 months and haven't enjoyed much in that time. I will hopefully be able to draw some valuable life introspection from this little mini adventure at Baltusrol. Good Luck Bastages!
[attachment=41146]