Oak Hill

By: Evan Ward

PGA.com

Some say Jason Dufner still roams these hills… Last we saw him he was stuffing wedges to gimme range and stuffing acorns into his pockets, taking them home to plant a memorial to his victory. 

Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York, a suburb of Rochester. Situated partly on the Genesee River (home of the beer; cheapest 30-pack in college) is the host of this year's competition. It has been ten years since Dufner’s win and there have been some changes to the venue. 

A Donald Ross design, one of the titans of golf course architecture, the 122 years-old course has yet to be eclipsed by the ever evolving technology that renders courses of a similar vintage obsolete. The long, narrow fairways and slopey, bespoke greens have kept their teeth. And even if some trees have come down in the name of increased shot-making possibilities the track should still prove challenging. The long, straight hitters should have an advantage, but some creativity around the tricky greens could make up a distance deficit. 

Wikipedia

As for the players, Oak Hill has hosted six major championship contests and a Ryder Cup and has identified some greats. The likes of Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and Curtis Strange have all hoisted hardware here. Who will be filling the Wanamaker Trophy with some acorns for their yard this year?

Snead, Hogan, Palmer, Nicklaus, Woods, Spieth; Jon Rahm can join the likes of these legends by claiming the first two majors of a season if he wins this week in New York. He has the game and the pedigree to join the pantheon. 

As for Spieth, he’s on wrist watch. Having pulled out of the Byron Nelson last week in Dallas citing an injury to the ankle of the hand, it’s unsure if he will be a factor this week. The hope is that he completes the career Grand Slam on Sunday, but it’s still possible he withdraws due to injury. 

Rory is back from sabbatical in hopes of ending his almost decade-long major championship drought. As a two-time PGA Champion this may be as good of a chance as any for him to get off the schneid.

Photo by Montana Pritchard/ PGA of America

It’s been pretty easy to pick ‘em so far this golf season. It seems as though Scottie Scheffler or Jon Rahm trade off winning every week which is more true than it sounds but, the depth of talent represented this week will make it far from a cakewalk for any of the competitors. Tee it up, let it fly and only time will tell. 

Other Questions: Will we finally see the maximum Homa in a major? Will Xander once again get lost in the Schauffle? Which of the LIV guys is a part of the mix this time? 

Predictions: Cameron Young wins at (-9)

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@Choppinglines

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