Predictions are everywhere for the upcoming PGA Championship tournament. It’s normal to read experts harp on Jordan Spieth’s chances to win it and win his third major in 2014. It’s also easy to find analysts, who gush for Jason Day’s potential of finally taking home his first major title in Sheboygan. How about Bubba Watson, though?
The two-time Masters champion was so close to victory the last time the PGA Championship was played at Whistling Straits, and now looks ready to finish the job this season. Below are three brief reasons why Watson will win the 2015 PGA Championship title.
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Why Bubba Watson Will Win the 2015 PGA Championship
Watson came near to winning it in 2010
[sc:Other240banner ]It’s no secret that Watson, who is +2,000 to win the 2015 PGA Championship, has a distaste for links-style courses. His game in Whistling Straits way back in 2010, however, suggests the contrary.
In that edition of the tournament, Watson played great, albeit finishing runner-up to Martin Kaymer, who took home the title. Watson actually had the lead in the three-hole playoff after scoring birdie in the first hole. But Kaymer birdied the par-3 second hole and Watson hit one to the water, thus resulting in a victory for the German.
That tournament was the start of Watson’s blossoming into a true major contender and he’ll be returning to Whistling Straits with a much more solid grasp of the course—not to mention experience.
Confidence
Unlike in his 2010 venture at Whistling Straits, Watson has that kind of swagger right now. When Watson competed in the 2010 PGA Championship, he had zero major titles to his name. His best finish then was placing tied for fifth in the 2007 US Open.
This time around, though, Watson is a much different man in terms of accomplishments, as he now owns a pair of Green Jackets. Watson won the Masters twice following his loss to Kaymer in the 2010 PGA Championship, taking home the highly coveted pantone 342 Blazer in 2012 and in 2014.
In addition, Watson is having quite a season. As of this writing, Watson has 10 Top 25 finishes in 14 events on the current PGA Tour. That includes a pair of wins (World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions and Travelers Championship) and back-to-back second-place finishes in the RBC Canadian Open and the recently-concluded WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Few golfers in the field will have that type of form heading into Whistling Straits.
Even on a suspect ankle, Rory McIlroy may still be able to do damage. Michael Jordan played like a demigod while battling flu once while Tiger Woods slammed the door on Rocco Mediate in the 2008 US Open on a bum knee. Great athletes find a way to win. That being said, there’s no guarantee that McIlroy will pull off a Curt Schilling at Whistling Straits this week. In the first place, no one has yet to state for a fact that McIlroy will indeed participate in the event.
But suppose the Northern Irishman plays, he’ll likely have to overcome rust after resting for some weeks to heal from an ankle injury he got back in July. The rest of the field sure prefers to compete with a rusty McIlroy, one who’ll get behind in the early stages. If that happens, it’ll perhaps be a wide-open tournament with Watson among those in the running to take home the Wanamaker Trophy.
