Tiger/Harrington Round 2 May Come Sooner Than Expected

Making rash predictions after one day of a major golf tournament can be dangerous. So much can happen in the last three days that often the board after day one looks like an absolute joke by Sunday night. However, I prey to the golf gods that this one stay the same. I prey to the golf gods that the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine is about one battle and one battle only.

Tiger Woods Vs. Padraig Harrington

Here we go again. Second consecutive week, second consecutive battle between two competitors that have a budding rivalry that is only equal to the amount of respect that one has for the other. Sure, it could go down in flames. Paddy could light up today and by the time Saturday roles around he could be a forgotten competitor. Although significantly less likely, Tiger could fall down the board after the second 18 and we’re looking at another weekend comeback trail.

But let’s live in the moment. Lets hope that the one shot that separates Tiger and Harrington at the top of the leaderboard at the start of play today remains the story. As we stand, Woods leads the pack at -5.

Tiger’s 67 yesterday was his best opening round at a major this year. He was as sharp as sharp can be. Showing only the effects of two weeks worth of momentum, Tiger went bogey free through his first 18, racking up five birdies.

At the risk of sounding over-analytical, I think this was a round that Tiger needed. After his failures at majors this year, it was crucial for him to not start off the week on a down note. His first round at The British was hard to watch. His rain-interrupted round at Bethpage Black wasn’t much easier. But yesterday’s round was an absolute joy to behold. A clinic, if you will.

Obviously, what’s most impressive about the round is his lack of bogeys. Hazeltine is a dangerously long course. You thought Bethpage was long? Well, Hazeltine is longer. Although this benefits Tiger because of his excellent driving skills, I grew concerned about his play off the tee after the debacle at Turnbury and a so-so first round at the Buick. But he appears to be past all that. Maybe it’s the magic of Hank Haney. Maybe it’s a testament that even the best have a bad few weeks here and there.

Even though, I prefaced this column saying that rash predictions after round one often backfire, I don’t see how you can make a strong argument that Tiger won’t win this major. He’s got that look that we’ve all come to recognize. He’s got that swagger that is almost unparalleled in the game of golf. What aspect of yesterdays round worried you if you’re Tiger Woods. I didn’t see any. Yes, pin placement might become more of an issue as we get closer to Sunday, but isn’t that when Tiger thrives?

Maybe the only player that can hang with Tiger this week is Harrington. At -4, the Irishman is only one shot off the lead. If you were wondering whether last week’s performance at The Bridgestone was a fluke or Harrington turning the corner, choose the latter.

Paddy failed to bogey on the front nine and only had one on the back. He birdied five holes and looked as strong as ever doing so. The day had a sense of unfinished business for Harrington. Last weekend looks like it was only the start.

After the round ended last Sunday, Harrington walked up to Woods and said “We’ll do battle again soon.” At the time, it appeared to be just a sign of two men who respect each other a great deal. Who knew that by “soon” Harrington meant “next week.”

Maybe its pessimism, or maybe realism, but Harrington is the only player at the top who I can see going nose to nose with Tiger. Hunter Mahan, Vijay Singh, and David Toms are a few of the names that rest two shots back, but I question if anyone of that group has enough to go round for round with Woods. Or Harrington, for that matter.

For what it’s worth, my pick (Steve Stricker) is sitting in a tie for 69th at +2. Phil Mickelson also resides in that +2 group. Kenny Perry didn’t play much better.

So maybe the storylines will be few and far between this weekend. But as we saw with Tom Watson at The British, a major doesn’t need multiple captivating storylines.

One will do just fine.

Related posts:

1. Tiger Hunt
2. Yang’s All Good; Upset At PGA
3. Woods Outlasts Harrington to Win For 70th Time
4. Tiger Woods’ Lead Shrinks: Catch Him..If You Can…
5. 2009 PGA Championship- The Preview Column