Taking the Grand Out of Slam

Were it not for one, rain-drenched, wind-swept, dirty-rotten Scottish third round at last month’s British Open, this week’s 84th PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club could have been golf’s equivalent to, what, the Lindbergh landing?

The PGA of America’s annual ball, already fighting the tag as the least significant of the four major championships, was frothing at the chance to host the ticker-tape parade for Woods who, had he won the British, would have been gunning this week for golf’s Grand Slam.

You wonder who took Woods’ third-round 81 at Muirfield hardest, Woods, the PGA, or CBS, which could have rung up gargantuan ratings this week with Woods poised to make history.

Yet, because Woods couldn’t get over that hump at Muirfield, this isn’t the final climb for Tiger.

It’s just another glorified week on the PGA schedule, just another major (minor), a chance for David Toms to defend his title.

Naturally, the PGA doesn’t see it that way at all.

“I don’t feel like we’ve lost anything by him not winning the British,” Jim Awtrey, the PGA’s chief executive, said of Woods. “Tiger is still the person to beat. And you’ve still got Tiger going against Ernie Els and it’s a month before the Ryder Cup. Those are good factors. I don’t think we’re at any disadvantage.”

What did you expect the guy to say, that Woods’ third-round bobble at the British felt like a knife wound to the heart?

That it’s a crying shame the PGA, which gets overshadowed in August by company picnics and back-to-school sales, couldn’t finally catch a break and become can’t-miss television?

Woods, too, has to be disappointed, yet he can’t really come out and say it.

Imagine the red-carpet media bombing Nike would have unveiled, or the “Grand Slam” references other Wood sponsors, Buick and American Express, could have rolled into production.

Granted, plenty is left for the taking. By winning the PGA, Woods will have claimed three majors in one season for a second time.

Ben Hogan is the only other golfer to have accomplished the feat, and Hogan did it only once.

Woods also is out to win his eighth major tournament in his last 13 tries.

Still, because he isn’t going for the Grand Slam, Tuesday’s opening news conference lacked the circus element.

It was big tent, but not big top.

Woods joked that the press coverage for his potential Grand Slam had distorted an otherwise fabulous year that continued last week with his win at the Buick Open.

“I think that’s your responsibility, and your fault, for doing that build-up,” he chided.

He said the 81 at Muirfield could have happened to anyone. That it could even happen again here.

Jack Nicklaus, a five-time PGA Championship winner, carded his highest score in major championship play when he shot an 81 in the 1970 U.S. Open--here at Hazeltine.

“I explained it, you guys saw it,” Woods said of his 81. “It wasn’t exactly easy conditions on Saturday of an Open championship. That’s what happens sometimes.

“But I’ve had a great year. Any time you can win one major championship in a year, it’s going to be a successful year. I think winning two in one year so far, it’s been even better. I’d like to make it three.”

There is no doubt, though, that this week’s tournament has lost luster.

The PGA Championship officially sold out two days after Woods had won the U.S. Open in June as fans anticipated the chance of his winning the Grand Slam.

Now, however, ticket packages that originally sold for $265 are selling for half that price.

John Moore, a 24-year-old teacher from Farmington, Minn., said near the practice tees Tuesday that he’d paid $250 for his ticket package last summer.

Asked whether he was disappointed that Woods was not playing for the Grand Slam, Moore said, “It would have been pretty amazing, but it didn’t curb my enthusiasm.”

Really?

“Oh, sure, it’s a little disappointing,” he said. “I was definitely pulling for him to win at the British.”

Without the specter of the Grand Slam, some fans are hoping someone else wins.

“I’m one of those people who always roots for the underdog,” Marilyn Errington, of Maumee, Ohio, said. “I go for someone who’s really struggling.”

Errington is pulling this week for Matt Kuchar.

Even Els, the man who foiled Woods’ plans by winning the British Open, said a lot of people are looking for a change in routine.

“I’ve listened to some comments out there on the golf course, just from the general public,” Els said, “and I feel they would like to see more players compete against him or actually beat him and win more tournaments.”

Sensing a possible theme, someone at Tuesday’s news conference actually had the audacity to ask Woods whether it might be good for golf to have someone else win major tournaments.

“You know what, dude?” Woods said, “I can’t give you that.”

Woods, of course, thinks his winning all the time is sensational for golf. His golf.

Moore, the teacher, said being at Hazeltine was a great way to spend part of a summer vacation. He’s just happy to be here, no matter what’s at stake. He said he would have been tempted to sell his tickets at a considerable profit had Woods been playing for a place in history.

“You wouldn’t have been able to get within 200 yards of him,” Moore said. “He would have been impossible to follow.”

As it stands, who knows, Moore may now be able to get within 100 yards of Woods.

Grand Slam or no, though, Moore can’t wait to get on the Tiger trail.

“Hey, nobody ever got tired of watching Michael Jordan win all the time,” he said.

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*--* PGA at a Glance Last year: David Toms won his first major title, beating Phil Mickelson by a stroke at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Toms shot 66-65-65-69 on the par-70 course for a tournament-record 265 total Last week: Tiger Woods won the Buick Open for his 33rd PGA Tour victory and fourth in his last eight starts. Mark O’Meara, Fred Funk, Brian Gay and Esteban Toledo finished four strokes back 1999 and 2000: Tiger Woods won the 1999 and 2000 tournaments, beating Bob May in a playoff in 2000 at Valhalla in Louisville, Ky., after they set the tournament record for relation to par of 18-under 270 Hazeltine facts: The U.S. Open was played at Hazeltine in 1970 and 1991, with Tony Jacklin winning in 1970 and Payne Stewart beating Scott Simpson in a playoff in 1991. Hazeltine also will be the site of the 2009 PGA and 2116 Ryder Cup

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*--* PGA Championship Thursday-Sunday at Hazeltine National Golf Club (7,360 yards, par 72), Chaska, Minn * TV: Thursday--11 a.m.-5 p.m., TNT; Friday--11 a.m.-5 p.m., TNT; Saturday--8 a.m.-10:30 a.m., TNT; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Ch. 2; Sunday--8 a.m.-10:30 a.m., TNT; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Ch. 2 * Purse: TBA ($5.2 million last year). Winner’s share: TBA ($936,000 last year) * The Woods factor: Tiger Woods is the winner of seven of the last 12 majors. He is attempting to win three majors in a year for the second time in three years

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