OPINION: PGA Championship 2022 – Where I’d Host It

With the PGA Board of Directors choosing to exercise their out clause to move the 2022 PGA Championship from the Trump National Golf Club of Bedminster, NJ, there’s one big question to be answered:

Where will the PGA choose to host the 2022 Championship? 

For my money, here are the three picks I’d make first to host the event:

MERION

(meriongolfclub.com)

Jack Nicklaus once said, “Acre for acre, [Merion] may be the best test of golf in the world.” The venerable suburban Philadelphia golf club last hosted a major in 2013 when Justin Rose captured the U.S. Open title. Merion’s East Course is also the home of the 1971 U.S. Open playoff which pitted Nicklaus against Lee Trevino, with the “Merry Mex” besting the “Golden Bear” by 3-strokes. Old school and challenging as all hell, the extra upkeep to Merion’s grounds by the PGA could make it gain consideration for further major events such as the still to be determined host of 2028 US Open.

Selfishly, I want Merion because I could be there in under three hours to soak up the major in person and my family is all there, so yay…free board.

BELLERIVE

(reesjonesinc.com)

Even though the suburban St. Louis track just hosted the PGA Championship in 2018 (which means it should hopefully be in good shape from recent PGA assistance), I really enjoyed watching the event because of the great equalizer: zoysia grass. When a ball lands on zoysia it tends to have exceptional grip to slow forward progress, making long and shorter hitters compete on more of an even plane. But the other benefit of zoysia is the cushion it has, especially on a fairway. Golf balls sit on top of the surface like it’s on a low tee, giving a reward to those who are hitting the fairway consistently. (Also, more courses should use this grass as rain doesn’t flatten it and zoysia requires 25-33% of the water that other course grasses use). Even with a river’s worth of rain, the course always looked and played impeccable, making it worthy of another go by the PGA.

OLYMPIA FIELDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Olympia Fields Country Club (@olympiafieldscc)

Among its seven majors hosted, most recently the 2017 Women’s PGA Championship, and also the site of the Tour’s 2020 BMW Championship, this track in the shadows of Chicago is an often overlooked yet spectacular facility that has been waiting to host another men’s major for far too long. The most recent Tour event held here bore witness to the 45-foot double breaker that put Dustin Johnson into a playoff with Jon Rahm, and Rahm countering with a playoff winning 65-foot putt and capping off his best of tournament 8-under round on Sunday. Old school yet updated, PGA Championship conditions could make this course chew up competitors in grand fashion and make for another thriller.

Wherever it may land, the 2022 PGA Championship will be a bit behind the 8-ball in prep for the coming major, but the PGA has the opportunity now to make the most of their board’s decision by picking a different gem for their showcase. Let’s hope they choose wisely and quickly.

Cover Image via Instagram