Eastern Promise

Everything you need to know about the 105th PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, including why Rory Mcllroy has already got the edge over everyone else...

- MICHAEL CATLING

Oak Hill Country Club nearly always has a habit of throwing up surprises whenever the world’s best players come to town. This year promises to be no different. The PGA Championship’s date change means wind, rain and possibly snow could be in the offing – and that’s before we get into the make-up of the strongest field in golf, which includes a high-profile member who has previous when it comes to lifting the Wanamaker Trophy. It means there are several storylines to unpack. And with a new-look course to discover and a rowdy New York crowd in attendance, it’s set up to be a must-watch. So here’s everything you need to know...

WHAT MAKES OAK HILL SO SPECIAL?

Located in upstate New York, Oak Hill is one of the most decorated clubs in America. Home to two 18-hole courses, it is the only club to have played host to the PGA Championship, US Open, Ryder Cup, US Amateur, Senior US Open and Senior PGA Championship. Previous winners there include Europe (only their second victory on American soil), Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and Curtis Strange.

IS THE COURSE ANY GOOD?

After the 2003 PGA Championship, Tiger Woods declared the East Course “the hardest, fairest golf course we’ve ever played”. That year only three players finished under par, well ahead of Tiger on 12-over-par. Jason Dufner did get into double figures when he won the same event a decade ago, but he remains the exception rather than the rule.