PGA Championship Preview: Under Pressure

Justin Rose in contention on a Sunday -- no surprise. Jim Furyk failing to hang onto a 54-hole lead -- not surprising. Shane Lowry emerging from a field consisting of the best golfers in the world to capture the WGC Bridgestone Invitational -- shocking. As we approach the 2015 PGA Championship it brings to mind the 2009 PGA Championship when Y.E. Yang toppled Tiger Woods. Sure, the stage wasn't nearly the same and topping the likes of Rose and Furyk is in no way comparable to topping Tiger at his peak, but there are similarities in that the underdog at the time was such an afterthought that perhaps it was easier to win with no expectations.

No further proof on that matter is needed when looking at one of the other combatants last Sunday, Jim Furyk. Although Furyk got a huge monkey off his back with a win earlier this year, there's still the stigma of his inability to close with a 54-hole lead. Furyk again held the 54-lead last week in Akron and again failed to come through. This failure was a bit unlike many other leads though as Furyk seemed in control most of the week. Lowry ambushed the leaders late Sunday, however, and as we all know, it's easier to be the hunter than the hunted, which is not to take anything away from Lowry, who was simply fantastic down the stretch.

While Lowry's win was a shocker, I don't expect to be surprised come Sunday at the PGA Championship. There is simply too much quality in the field for someone like Lowry to come out on top this week, then again, I said the same thing last week.

This week: PGA Championship - Whistling Straights, Sheboygan, Wisc.

Last Year: Rory McIlroy shot a final-round 68 on his way to a one-stroke victory over Phil Mickelson.

PLAYERS TO CONSIDER

Dustin Johnson

The pressure will be on Johnson to perform this week, especially at Whistling Straights where he nearly picked up a major victory the last time here. Pressure hasn't always been Johnson's friend, but with McIlroy and Spieth stealing most of the headlines this week, DJ should be able to relax and play his game ... until the final round, then all bets are off.

Jordan Spieth

Spieth wasn't around the last time the PGA Championship was held here, but new venues have done nothing to slow down Spieth this year. He failed in his attempt to grab his third consecutive major at the Open Championship, but he was in position to win, which he will be again this week.

Bubba Watson

The stars appear to be aligned for Watson this week. His game is in pretty good shape, and he had little trouble getting around this course in 2010. Now, if he can just put this long-drive competition behind him and focus on golf, he should be fine. Better yet, use the aggravation and blow the field away.

Rory McIlroy

Injured golfers are always a risky bet, but let's be honest, this isn't basketball or football, McIlroy will likely have all the physical tools needed to thrive this week. DJ, Watson and Kaymer are most often associated with the 2010 PGA at Whistling Straights, but McIlroy was in the mix as well, finishing T3.

Jason Day

I learned my lesson at the Open Championship -- never doubt Jason Day, at least not the way he's playing this year. Day actually played well here in 2010, and if not for Spieth, Day would be in contention for player of the year.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Tiger Woods

It would be great to see Tiger surprise the world and play well this week, but though he's getting better, he's still way off. It's a major news story when he plays well -- at a normal event. That gives you an idea of how far he has to go yet.

Martin Kaymer

The two-time major champion picked up his first major here in 2010 and followed that with a dominating effort at the 2014 U.S. Open, but he hasn't sustained much momentum from either of those wins, which makes me think he's just one of those guys who gets really hot from time to time.

Troy Merritt

Talk about a rough start to the rest of Troy Merritt's career. Merritt played out of his mind en route to a win at the Quicken Loans National, but he backed up that effort with last-place showing at the WGC Bridgestone event. Perhaps it was a hangover, perhaps it was a case of "not ready for prime-time." Whatever the case, he's not your man this week.

Shane Lowry

Where have we seen this before? Young guy picks up a huge win and struggles to follow it up at an even bigger event? Right, that was Troy Merritt last week. I'm not saying Lowry will struggle like Merritt did last week, but I'm also not willing to take a chance on the unproven Lowry.

Webb Simpson

Simpson seems like a solid golfer for the majors, but most of his success has come at the U.S. Open and little-to-none has come at the PGA Championship. Sure, the course changes from year-to-year, but the PGA sets up the layouts and there may be something about the PGA layout that doesn't suit his eye.

ONE AND DONE GOLFER

Last week: Keegan Bradley (T17) - $88,500; Season - $5,233,522

This week: Rickie Fowler - I've somehow made it to this point in the season with Fowler remaining, so I'll pull the trigger here. Fowler hasn't fared as well in the majors this year as opposed to last year, but he's picked up some big wins, so who knows, maybe he breaks through here.

YAHOO PICKS

Points: 4,884
Rank: 6,678

This Week:

Group A: Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy

Group B: Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Zach Johnson

Group C: Francesco Molinari, Louis Oosthuizen

SURVIVOR PICK

Last week: N/A (N/A); Streak - 0

This week: Jason Day - Since there are a few events during the year without a cut, I have a better roster of players remaining in this format. Jason Day is about the most reliable player there is at a major now outside of Spieth.