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Will the PGA Championship be another boring Sunday?

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If the 2009 major championship season was the year of the botched storyline–Cabrera over Perry, Glover over Mickelson and Duval, Cink over Watson, Yang over Woods–the 2014 campaign has shaped up as the curse of the boring Sundays.

Oddly, the Masters appeared in the midst of a final-round masterpiece seven holes in, with an electrifying 20-year-old Jordan Spieth scorching Augusta National’s opening holes for a one-shot lead and seemingly traversing his way to an extraordinary bit of history.

At that moment though, the enormity of the occasion set in, Spieth fell off and Bubba Watson was never challenged on the back nine. The U.S. Open was essentially over by Friday afternoon. The Open Championship—while employing a marketable lead character—held an ounce of final-round drama for roughly five minutes. Should viewers even stick around this Sunday for Glory’s Last Shot the PGA Championship?

The pattern is alarming, and not the greatest development when golf has experienced a bevy of attacks, but it’s also random. For the most part, there’s no rhyme or reason to the excitement level of a major championship Sunday. As each tournament’s final round is an independent event, it’s no more likely we see an exciting PGA Sunday following three dramatic major finishes than three weak ones.

While that debunks one set of evidence for a PGA snoozefest, does there exist any data that suggests 2014’s final major will have a rollicking conclusion? And what exactly is an “exciting finish” anyway?

To reverse order here, the term “exciting finish” is obviously ambiguous and any definition will be somewhat arbirtrary, but our rubric is simple. A tournament where there is a significant question as to the victor somewhere over the final two holes of regulation is deemed “exciting.”

As for the potential of an exciting finish this week, there are certainly positive signs on this subject, but it’s all a matter of whether they prove truly substantive.

We can point to the fact that Valhalla has a proven track record producing impressive showdowns over the final 18 holes in stroke play (and added time). Of course the 2000 PGA Championship battle between Tiger Woods and Bob May lives on in folklore—possibly this generation’s “Duel in the Sun”—but the 1996 PGA at Valhalla didn’t exactly lack excitement either. That event also went to a playoff, and the Senior PGA Championships Valhalla hosted in 2004 and 2011 were in question all the way through.

Actually, three of these four tournaments finished in playoffs! If any major championship course boasts an ability to bring out the scintillating conclusion, it’s Valhalla.

Four tournaments are a small sample size though, and likely too small to indicate that Valhalla is unusually adept at fostering interesting Sunday action. We could easily say that Valhalla’s 4-for-4 strike is simply the product of randomness. We need a much bigger pool of professional tournaments on the layout to gather real insight here.

Maybe that’s a bust, but this isn’t the only potential reasoning favoring a nerve-wracking Sunday. Combing back through the past 15 PGA Championships (1999-2013), conservatively 11 of them fit our admittedly strict “exciting finish” criteria. That’s a 73 percent rate of success for closing drama.

As for the other majors, the findings are similarly robust. The Masters is 9 for 16 (57 percent), the U.S. Open 11 for 16 (69 percent) and the Open Championship 10 for 16 (63 percent). Over this large time span, a clear trend develops: Significantly more majors see tension over the final holes than not.

From the outset then, the PGA had a healthy majority chance of being must-see Sunday television. In fact, every major experiences a probability of this sort. Three consecutive majors not following this path, as has been the case in 2014, is really an incredibly unlikely occurrence.

Based on these percentages, you should’ve woken up Thursday morning expecting a spectacular Sunday finale.

And that premonition should only be stronger now.

We have to of course add the 54-hole leaderboard into the exciting finish equation. After all, it’s tougher to envision a packed leaderboard late Sunday when one player is out in front by six or eight to start the day.

The current PGA Championship standings contain no such frontrunner and are decently crowded. Five players are within three of the lead, nine are within four and 18 are within six. The leader, Rory McIlroy has turned three major championship 54-hole leads into Sunday snoozers, but they all involved instances where the Northern Irishman was ahead by at least three. At the PGA, his lead is just one.

Overall, these 54-hole scores show a lot of promise for a race to the finish in round four. This year’s Masters leaderboard may have been even more primed for a great finish than the PGA–and we all know how that worked out–but all that instance proves is that a smushed leaderboard is not a guarantee of a highly-charged Sunday, not an improbability for one.

Really things are looking up for us to avoid a shutout in 2014 major championship Sundays. No negative signs are readily apparent and majors tend to slide toward final-holes uncertainty. And this leaderboard is decently suited for a tight battle.

I expect this event to be closed out right at the end Sunday. Who will be the victor? That’s anyone’s guess. But the existence of such a question after these past two months is progress in itself.

Kevin's fascination with the game goes back as long as he can remember. He has written about the sport on the junior, college and professional levels and hopes to cover its proceedings in some capacity for as long as possible. His main area of expertise is the PGA Tour, which is his primary focus for GolfWRX. Kevin is currently a student at Northwestern University, but he will be out into the workforce soon enough. You can find his golf tidbits and other sports-related babble on Twitter @KevinCasey19. GolfWRX Writer of the Month: September 2014

22 Comments

22 Comments

  1. Ballstriker

    Aug 11, 2014 at 1:38 am

    That would be a firm NO! Fantastic finish!

  2. MHendon

    Aug 10, 2014 at 10:25 pm

    No Tiger equals boring, boring, boring…. Golf is DEAD without Tiger, I bet the TV ratings where miserably low. Know one cares about these other guys. Tiger, Tiger, Tiger we need Tiger, our golf god Tiger, where lost without you Tiger!!!! Ok so that was a joke… great tournament!

  3. Christian

    Aug 10, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    Put me down for a “no”.

  4. Taylor

    Aug 10, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    This was the best final round I have seen in quite some time. It was only too bad that the light became an issue at the end and the whole playing up thing on 18. I think phil or rickie could have had a better shot to make an eagle.

  5. marcel

    Aug 10, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    what a final day!!! great work Rors and super push from everyone

  6. PaloAltoPlaya

    Aug 10, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Far from boring!! Tiger who?!?!?

  7. R

    Aug 10, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Yes, total snooze fest today. Only a super tightly packed leaderboard.

    • Kevin Casey

      Aug 10, 2014 at 7:01 pm

      I wouldn’t say it was insanely tightly packed last night, decently so as I mentioned. But I also agreed that today would be a great finish. Thankfully, the action so far is obliging!

  8. Dick

    Aug 10, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    Because of the inclement weather, yes.

  9. west

    Aug 10, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    These articles are the real snooze fest…

  10. MHendon

    Aug 10, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Personally I found the Open to be pretty interesting, but unlike the author of this article I don’t need Tiger in the hunt to be interested.

    • bradford

      Aug 11, 2014 at 12:46 pm

      Let it go…This wasn’t about Tiger until YOU took it there. You are the cause, not the solution.

  11. Bobby

    Aug 10, 2014 at 11:30 am

    Prediction time!

    Phil shoots a 64 to get to -17 and Rory shoots -4 to also get to -17. Playoff time! But I don’t have a clue who will win the playoff

  12. Christosterone

    Aug 10, 2014 at 10:21 am

    I could watch re-aired coverage of the 1976 PGA abd would be riveted…
    So i am clearly not the demographic to ask as I will watch Sunday Majors regardless of who is in contention.

    And while I am jingoistic (typically) I find myself rooting for Bernd Wiesberger….it would make a difference in his life to a degree none of the others in contention would experience…imho

  13. Pingback: Will the PGA Championship be another boring Sunday? | Spacetimeandi.com

  14. marty

    Aug 10, 2014 at 8:47 am

    It will be boring for tiger woods fans.

  15. Stuart

    Aug 10, 2014 at 5:40 am

    Still think scott a real show

  16. Dan

    Aug 10, 2014 at 2:23 am

    I hope wiesbergers nerves hold. he has the game to win this

  17. Christosterone

    Aug 10, 2014 at 12:37 am

    Graham DeLaet goes 62

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.

They wrote:

“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”

Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
  • jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
  • jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
  • Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”

Entire Thread: “Most Birdies Without Breaking Par.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
  • bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
  • CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

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GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

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A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down. 

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

 

  • GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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