Defending Champion Vijay Singh, already a legend for his overtime practice habits, got a chance to enjoy an 18-hole practice round at Baltusrol Golf Club, June 27, 2005, as part of the 87th PGA Championship Media Day.
Singh's tour was enough confirmation to him that he will be using his driver more on the 7,392-yard, par-70 course in Springfield, N.J. A two-time PGA Champion, Singh estimated that he posted a par round, even though he was not keeping an official scorecard.
Designed by A.W. Tillinghast, Baltusrol features two par-4 holes of more than 500 yards, and the par-5 17th that measures 650 yards – a record for a par-5 in a major Championship.
"Today, I had a great time, and the golf course sets up pretty well," said Singh. "It's going to be pretty long, the way I played it today, a lot of 5-irons and 4-irons and 3-irons. And if you're Corey Pavin, a lot of woods, I guess. It's going to play really long, but it sets up really well for a great event. I think the way the rough is growing in, I think we're in for a great tournament."
Singh said he hit his best drive of the Media Day on the 17th hole, and then his caddie approached him.
"He said, 'You've only got 375 to the middle of the green,' " said Singh. "I said, 'OK, that's fine. Uphill, too."
Singh said the course demands the driver, but he also recognized the trademark of Tillinghast designed courses: Ample driving room, but a demand for rifle accuracy on the shot home.
"You can't be hitting 3-woods," he said. "It just makes the golf course so much harder, and if it's hard and firm, maybe. But, if it's what it was today – and it's pretty generous out there, it's not really tight.
"So, if you're hitting a driver good, you know, why not take it out? There are a few short holes where you don't need it, but mostly you're going to hit probably eight to 10 drivers a round."
Singh said he also expects the Baltusrol rough to grow more before the PGA Championship.
"I drove the ball really well today," he said. "Even if I did go in the rough, I don't think it's deep enough right now, at this point. But come August, I think it's going to be a lot more of a factor."
The 87th PGA Championship will be broadcast by CBS Sports for the 15th consecutive year, while Turner Sports will mark its 14th consecutive season in partnering coverage of the season's final major. TNT will carry the Championship for the sixth straight year.
Baltusrol is the second New Jersey course to host a PGA Championship, but the first since 1942, when Sam Snead won the Championship at Seaview Country Club in Atlantic City.
"We look forward to this Championship at Baltusrol, to establish another milestone in great Championships," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "And, we think that Baltusrol is going to do just that."
Ticket information to the 87th PGA Championship is available by accessing www.pga2005.com or calling (800) PGA-TCKT (800-742-8258).
