The virtual PGA: These 13 could contend
By Bill Felber
From Arnold Palmer to Jack Burke, there are 13 second-tier threats that you need to keep an eye on heading into the Virtual PGA Championship this week.
Thirteen greats, 12 of them former PGA champions, comprise what amounts to a second tier of contenders in our all-time virtual PGA Championship tournament.
That group of second-tier favorites is co-headed by the one non-winner in the group, Arnold Palmer. Although Palmer famously never actually won the PGA, he came close several times, three times tying for second. During his peak period, 1961 to 1970, Palmer competed in nine PGAs, tying for second in 1964, 1968, and 1970. He tied for fifth in 1961 and for sixth in 1966.
Over that decade-long span, the average standard deviation of a Palmer PGA Championship finish was -1.10, equaling the 10th best of any player in the tournament’s history with seven or more appearances.
At that level, Palmer stands equal with Ben Hogan, PGA champion in 1946 and 1948. Between 1939 and 1948, his final PGA appearance, Hogan reached the quarter-finals three times in addition to his two victories.
Those two titles, by the way, came by scores of 6 & 4 over Ed Oliver and 7 & 6 over Mike Turnesa.
Hogan elected not to play in the PGA following his recovery from the 1949 automobile accident, out of concern for his stamina. In those days, the event was contested at match play, requiring the champion to survive six matches — four of them at 36 holes. That potentially meant as many as 180 holes of golf over just six days.
Here’s a look at the credentials of other players who would not rank as favorites, but whose credentials give them a plausible chance to contend.