PGA 2009

I was reading my husband's Sports Illustrated last night (BTW, thrilled with the prediction that the Twins will win the AL Central), and skimmed the article about Tiger Woods' Grand Slam possibilities. To win the Grand Slam this year, Tiger has to win the PGA, which takes place right here in Minnesota at Hazeltine National Golf Club Aug. 10-16. The writer interviewed Rich Beem, the everyman golfer who beat Tiger at Hazeltine in 2002 (it was quite the upset). Here's what Beem, and the article, had to say about our local course:

If Woods topples the field in the first three majors, he will chase history at the site of one of his most stinging defeats. Hazeltine is where Rich Beem danced on the 72nd green at the 2002 PGA Championship and denied Woods his third major of the year with a devil-may-care attitude and a thumping five-wood.

"I remember pretty much everything from that week," says Beem. "It's nice for my children to think I beat arguably the greatest player of all time. For me, personally, I'm simply glad I won the PGA Championship."

At 7,674 yards—up from 7,360 in 2002—the Minnesota course will demand long tee shots, but accuracy is the key. "They can grow the rough there as easy as anyone in the country," Beem says. "You can hit it as long as you want, but it's not going to help you if you don't hit it straight, brother."

Asked how Hazeltine—with its gnarly rough and strategically placed bunkers—fits Woods's game, Beem says there isn't a course that doesn't set up for Tiger. "He's driving it so much better," Beem says. "His iron play is amazing, his short game even better, and his putter is off the charts. As high as he hits it, you'd be silly not to say he's one of the favorites."

I was there in 2002, so those few paragraphs in SI brought back some fun memories. That Sunday, I followed Tiger and his red shirt around from hole to hole, watching him take his shots, looking for his signature fist pump. It was August, but the weather was beautiful - not too hot. The crowd was large, but I was able to squeeze my way next to the ropes on several different holes. But that defeat? Ugh. I know it's easy to be a Tiger fan - he's the best there is - but you can't deny he's changed the game. A girl like me, who won't let her dad teach her to golf, would never watch it on TV if it weren't for Tiger. I've been watching him play since he started. So, to watch him, in person, lose to Beem that day was heartbreaking. However, most of us also have a soft spot in our hearts for the underdog, and Rich Beem was definitely an underdog that day - if not most days. Plus, to have a memorable PGA like that one take place in Minnesota is only good for our state in the long run.

I'm looking forward to PGA 2009 (I cannot believe how fast those years flew by!). Anyone else?

-- Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

Comments

[Geri Wolf]

I still have my tags from that 2002 match! Very fun...and cool that the winner is so humble.

[Managing Editor Amanda Fretheim Gates]

Well, after yesterday, Tiger's Grand Slam hopes are no longer. But still super cool he'll be on Minnesota soil come August!