US PGA 2015: Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and the Brits to watch at Whistling Straits
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Your support makes all the difference.The final major of the year gets under way today and among those taking part in the US PGA at Whistling Straits are a number of Brits with a real chance of success at Whistling Straits.
Here, we pick out the ones to watch...
Rory McIlroy (NIR)
The defending US PGA champion and world number one, returns to competitive action this week following a six week absence after rupturing his left ankle ligaments playing football in July. McIlroy has won this event twice in the last three years and finished third when the tournament was last held here in 2010. What feels like the entire golfing world will be hoping that a good first three rounds from the Northern Irishman will lead to a final day duel with America’s Jordan Spieth.
Justin Rose (ENG)
The Englishman has been in good form throughout the year, with a runner up finish at the Masters in April being followed by victory in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He also has three top 10 finishes from his last three events including third place at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational last week. Rose has reverted back to his old putter in the hope of achieving his desire of winning a second major title.
Danny Willett (ENG)
Sheffield born Willett has impressed fans across both sides of the Atlantic with an impressive 2015 to date. In May he finished third in the World Match Play Championship, whilst more recently he led the Open Championship at St Andrews, before finishing in tied sixth. Currently 25th in the world, Willett won the Omega European Masters in July.
Paul Casey (ENG)
Despite struggling for form of late, Casey has enjoyed a golfing resurgence this season. Since solely committing to playing on the PGA Tour due to family reasons, the former world number three has registered six top 10 finishes so far this year, including two play-off defeats at the Northern Trust Open and Travelers Championship – where he was beaten by two times Masters champion Bubba Watson.
Graeme McDowell (NIR)
McDowell has previously admitted that since the birth of his daughter last August he had struggled motivating himself to practice, with only one top 10 finish so far this year. But recently there are signs of the Ryder Cup star’s form returning, in July he shot back to back 66’s in the opening two rounds of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and finished 19th in at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. The Whistling Straits course layout would appear to suit the Northern Irishman.
Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
One of the rising stars on the European Tour, Marlow resident Hatton, 23, is playing in his first US PGA Championship and is on course for his best career year since turning professional in 2011. In July he finished two shots behind Willett in third place at the Omega European Masters, whilst last time out he finished in 5th place at the Paul Lawrie Match Play in Scotland.
Steven Young (SCO)
The 38-year-old Scotsman is the Assistant PGA Professional at the Midland Country Club in Texas, and has been based in America since 1995. Young will be playing in his first PGA Championship after qualifying through competing in the National PGA. He appeared in the same Walker Cup team as Justin Rose in 1997, and he was the only Britain and Ireland player to win his singles match during that weekend.
Other Brits in the field this week...
Darren Clarke (NIR), Luke Donald (ENG), Jamie Donaldson (WAL), Ross Fisher (ENG) Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Stephen Gallacher (SCO), David Howell (ENG), Russell Knox (SCO), Martin Laird (SCO), James Morrison (ENG), Colin Montgomerie (SCO), Eddie Pepperell (ENG), Ian Poulter (ENG), Richard Ramsey (SCO), Andy Sullivan (ENG) Marc Warren (SCO), Chris Wood (ENG) Lee Westwood (ENG)
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