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PGA Championship: Dark Horse Candidates at Bethpage Black

By Christopher O'Day

BETHPAGE, NEW YORK - MAY 13: Signage is displayed during a practice round prior to the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course on May 13, 2019 in Bethpage, New York. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
BETHPAGE, NEW YORK - MAY 13: Signage is displayed during a practice round prior to the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course on May 13, 2019 in Bethpage, New York. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /
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Phil Mickelson Arnold Palmer Invitational Bay Hill
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 07: Phil Mickelson of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard at the Bay Hill Club on March 07, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Phil Mickelson – 66/1

The flops are fantastic. The calves are magnificent. At 48, Phil is crushing the ball, going just as long as he has at any point in his career. Unfortunately, it hasn’t translated to the type of success that he was hoping for this season….yet.

Personally, I don’t quite understand why Phil has odds that are so poor. As much as has been made about Tiger Woods mastery of Bethpage Black, Phil has arguably been just as good.

Back in 2002, he finished in 2nd place at the U.S. Open. The next time the U.S. Open was at Bethpage, he finished T2. That seems like a pretty strong track record at Bethpage to me.

Phil knows how to play in Majors. His track record more than speaks to that, as he has five wins, 11 second place finishes, 7 third place finishes, and has been in the top ten a total of 38 times!

For him to continue his success at majors, and repeat his stellar play at Bethpage, his putter game is going to need to take a big step forward. It’s been the weakest part of his game this year, ranking 127th in SG.

Those flops still remain a good part of his game, but not the best. He actually ranks higher in approach shots, 15 spots higher than in SG around the green, 45th and 61st.

I like Phil this week at the PGA Championship. The fact that I can get Phil as a dark horse? Yes please.

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