Los Angeles Times: Justin Thomas wins his first major by claiming victory at the PGA Championship

By Art Spander
Los Angeles Times

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was inevitable that Justin Thomas would win a major golf championship. His talent had been apparent since he was in grammar school. Sooner or later he would win a big one like his pal Jordan Spieth.

Sooner arrived on a humid Sunday at the 99th PGA Championship, when player after player, five in all, held or shared the lead until there was the 24-year-old Thomas holding it for good.

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Copyright 2017, Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times: Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy both thinking of April, but differently

By Art Spander
Los Angeles Times

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It may be August, but after the final round in the PGA Championship both Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy were more intent on April. For Johnson last April, for McIlroy next April.

Johnson had his best round of the week on Sunday at Quail Hollow, a four-under-par 67, that brought him to even-par 284 for the tournament. That’s encouraging with the FedEx Cup Playoffs about to start, but discouraging when Johnson, No.1 in the world rankings, thinks of what might have been.

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Copyright 2017, Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times: Jordan Spieth has plenty of time get his career Slam, but it won't be this week

By Art Spander
Los Angeles Times

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A few days after his 24th birthday, Jordan Spieth came to the PGA Championship attempting to become the youngest golfer to win each of the four Grand Slam tournaments. But by the start of Saturday’s third round at Quail Hollow Club his expectations had been lowered.

“My goal was to try to work our way into a backdoor top 10,” Spieth said.

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Copyright © 2017, Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times: Quail Hollow still winning at the PGA Championship, with Kisner the human leader

By Art Spander
Los Angeles Times

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s called Quail Hollow, bringing visions of a golfing Eden deep in the Carolina woods. Do not be fooled. The pros in the 99th PGA haven’t been. They’ve learned exactly how nasty the place can be.

Every hole is an adventure. Or a disaster. Jason Day was rolling along close to the lead in Saturday’s round, having birdied 14, 15 and 16. He closed bogey, quadruple-bogey, hitting shots everywhere on 18, including the trees and water.

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Copyright © 2017, Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times: Rory McIlroy plays hole just like a duffer, right down the cart path

By Art Spander
Los Angeles Times

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was a shot known to high-handicap golfers, a six-iron bounced along a paved cart path. Only the guy playing it was four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, and he was doing it Friday in the second round of the PGA Championship.

On the 592-yard, par-five 10th, his first hole of the day, McIlroy’s second shot went right toward the gallery, ricocheted off the macadam cart path and rolled into rough on the 11th hole, 110 yards from the pin on No. 10.

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Copyright © 2017, Los Angeles Times