Power rankings: PGA Championship
The PGA Championship comes a little early this year, moving up to the end of July to accommodate golf’s return to the Olympics. Baltusrol Golf Club’s Lower Course in Springfield, N.J., is the host for the first time since Phil Mickelson won his second major title in a fascinating Monday finish. This time, Jason Day is defending champion on a venue that demands some length, accuracy off the tee and the ability to fire into large greens.
Here are our top five players for the final major championship of the season:
1. Dustin Johnson — The U.S. Open champion has been in tremendous form this entire year. He can get around Baltusrol without driver if he chooses, and he’s dramatically improved in his wedge play.
2. Rory McIlroy — This is Major for Rory McIlroy. He’s won two of his four majors here and has the best record in this major of the four. Back-door top-five at the Open is nice, but he should be a part of it from start to finish at Baltusrol.
3. Jason Day — Day’s best is still better than anyone else’s in golf. However, in the last two majors, Day has dug himself an early hole that’s proven impossible to get wholly out of. Still, the defending champion deserves a serious look.
4. Jordan Spieth — Spieth may actually be a sneaky pick this week. He’s struggled in the last two majors. However, he’s also showed improvement in his ballstriking, and he now doesn’t have to live up to trying to replicate 2015.
5. Phil Mickelson — The Open runner-up won here in 2005, and it’s crazy to think that a 46-year-old guy has three runner-up finishes this year. But here we are.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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