NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — For a major tournament that has long sought an identity apart from the other three for men’s golf, one element of the PGA Championship stands out.
It’s also one reason Justin Thomas, a two-time winner of the event, and Cameron Young, among the favorites this year for the 108th edition of the PGA of America’s big show, hold it in high regard.
The opening tee shot Thursday at Aronimink Golf Club will be struck by Braden Shattuck, the PGA director of instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club, just 10 miles down the road.
He is among 20 club professionals in the 156-man field. All of them will be back to their day jobs next week, giving lessons and ordering merchandise, not on to the next PGA Tour stop that pays close to $2 million to the winner.
Young’s father was one of those professionals.