Stars move into contention at PGA Championship

PGA Championship leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/pga-championship/leaderboard.html

With all due respect to leaders Jimmy Walker (66) and Robert Streb (63) for the average golf fan, Friday was a day the star players moved into contention at this years PGA Championship at Baltusrol.

Twelve  players are within five shots of the their lead at -9 when round 3 begins today and they include Jason Day 65 -7, Henrik Stenson 67 -6,  Martin Kaymer 69 -5, Patrick Reed 65 -5, Rickie Fowler 68 -4 and Jordan Spieth is 6 back at -3 after his 67.

Adding to the mix, Phil Mickelson as I mentioned yesterday hit his opening tee shot so far off line it left Baltusrol and bounded down an adjoining street, then had a spectator pick up his provisional leading to a triple bogey, but in typical fashion he recovered to make the cut on +1 after a 70. For you Bubba fans he is on E after his 69, which included a drive, albeit downwind of 386 yards !..

Rory McIlroy will not be around as he failed to birdie the 18th to miss the cut as he was great from tee to green but didn't make a putt over two days.

The all important weather forecast for Springfield NJ is for scattered thunderstorms today and tomorrow so it will be a long day if the weathermen are right.

Streb hasn't been in contention since this tournament last year, but he joined Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf , and Thomas Bjorn in the club that have shot 63 at Baltusrol, while Walker has been working hard behind the scenes with Butch Harmon to improve his forgettable 2016 season.

Day made seven birdies in eight holes starting on #8 for his 65 and as defending champion he can match his pal Tiger Woods back-to-back PGA champions.

He is on the same -7 score as I guy I have been touting for the last few years, Emiliano Grillo, who is from the Argentine but lives and went to school in Florida. He has a simple, effective swing and has the putter working on these Baltusrol greens so far.

So I expect a long day ahead, with several weather delays, remember they get everybody off the course when lightning moves within 20 miles for safety.

As we say in broadcasting, stay tuned...

Bryan Angus