BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – It was the second time Sergio Garcia thought he might win his first major championship and the second time Padraig Harrington hoisted the victor’s trophy at the end.
The 90th PGA Championship ended a lot like the 2007 British Open, except this time Harrington had a chance to make the winning putt on the 72nd hole and he drained it. At Carnoustie last year, Garcia had a chance to win on the 72nd hole, but missed his putt and lost in a playoff to Harrington.
“I guess that’s the way things go sometimes,” Garcia said after shooting a 2-under-par 68 in the final round to finish tied for second with Ben Curtis at 1-under. “The only thing I can do is go back home with my head up high and keep working on it.” Garcia didn’t blame himself for putting his second shot at the par-4 16th into the water, a play that led to a bogey and lost his one-stroke lead. Failing to match Harrington’s birdie putt at the par-3 17th left him trailing by a stroke going to the 18th.
The eight automatic qualifiers for the U.S. Ryder Cup team that will challenge the Europeans next month at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville have been established. They are Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Ben Curtis and Boo Weekley. Curtis, Kim and Weekley will be making their Ryder Cup debut. U.S. captain Paul Azinger will complete the 12-man roster with four captain’s picks to be announced on Sept. 2.
Curtis wore a Detroit Lions cap during the final round of the PGA Championship in keeping with his deal to wear apparel of area NFL teams. It earned him a lot of support from local fans. Curtis finished tied for second at 1-under with Garcia.