Hale Irwin, who enjoyed a successful start to this golf season, isn't feeling that cozy about his golf game right now, with three weeks to go before defending a major championship.
That sounds like the old Hale Irwin golf fans have come to know – a perfectionist 365 days of the year. The owner of a record 42 Champions Tour victories, including four Senior PGA Championships, Irwin joined Honorary Chairman Arnold Palmer May 2, at the 66th Senior PGA Championship Media Day at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa.
The 66th edition of the oldest and most prestigious event in senior golf is May 26-29. It is the first Senior PGA Championship to be contested in Pennsylvania and the first senior event at the club since the 1989 U.S. Senior Open.
Irwin, 59, is planning for his 10th Senior PGA Championship appearance, and is anxious to play a course in Arnold Palmer's backyard.
"I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks, taking some time to lick my wounds and get back at it," said Irwin. "These are the kind of Championships that I think makes us all – the reason we play."
Irwin said the first four events of the year were, "Fantastic, a great start, played beautifully, did everything very nicely.
"And over the last four tournaments, it's like somebody turned the switch off," he said. "I don't have a clue. I'm looking for tips by the way."
Palmer, who will be making his 24th appearance in the Championship, is a member of the 156-player field that is the strongest field in senior golf. The field features 30 international players representing 10 countries, along with 21 players who have won a combined 56 major championships.
"You know what we've got as a golf course," said Palmer. "We are very pleased and proud of the golf course. Over the last few years since we've had an event here, we have made quite a few changes in the golf course; all of which, I think, have added greatly to the golf course. An example is the 11th hole. The sand traps have been all been deepened over a period of years.
"The drainage of the golf course - which this year seems to be a big thing in tournament golf - we have really increased and improved the drainage. And, of course, the anticipated weather is to be sunny and warm."
Irwin said that Laurel Valley is among the "special" courses that he particularly enjoys.
"One of the things that I like about these kind of golf courses is that your target is very well framed versus an open environment or an [U.S.] Open venue where there's not many trees," said Irwin. "These kind of courses identify very readily with where you need to hit the ball, particularly here with the second shots. Unless Arnie has planted a lot of trees, I know there are some tight fairways out there with a lot of trees. But, unlike a Medinah, for instance, which every hole was defined by a lot of trees, this one I think is more defined by the greens."
Palmer, 75, will be making business trips to Spain, Portugal and California over the next few weeks. He said that he won't arrive back in Pennsylvania until the Monday evening of Championship week. Yet, he said that he will be playing three to four times weekly in preparation for the Senior PGA Championship.
"I'm working on my game," Palmer said. "And, if I get really good, maybe Hale will let me caddie for him."
The Senior PGA Championship was begun in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club at the invitation of legendary Bobby Jones, and has since featured the game's legendary stars that have reached the age of 50.
Tickets to the 66th Senior PGA Championship are available by calling 1-800-PGA-GOLF (742-4653), or by visiting www.seniorPGA2005.com
The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
