USPGA Form Guide

09	08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00
6	31	3	16	-	4	5	34	13	34

If Whistling Straits played like a links course instead of just looking like one, you'd have Ernie Els as a banker to make the cut and then figure at some point on the leaderboard. But looks can be deceiving and the grass on the course does not run fast. On the other hand Els is no one-trick pony - there is more to him than a links specialist and the course still favours golfers who can cope with wind and hit the ball a long, long way. That it will suit Els is proved by the fact that he finished fourth there in 2004, one of his four top-five finishes in the event (he was also sixth last year at Hazeltine). He has two wins this year but they both came some time ago in March and in recent weeks he has looked a tired golfer, racking up three missed cuts since a top three finish in the US Open at Pebble Beach. Big doubts remain about the Big Easy's ability to putt well and close out a major. A win for him would be extremely popular, but is looking increasingly unlikely.