Three of last year’s four major winners were first-timers, as only Phil Mickelson had previously won one of golf’s biggest prizes. This year, so far, the three major champs had won previously. Can any of them do it again in the season’s final major? Nobody has won multiple majors in the same season since Padraig Harrington in 2008. Or will a first-timer join the club?
Those questions will be answered this week with the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. Here are five things you need to know about the tournament and the surrounding area:
Rory McIlroy tops the storylines
As per usual, storylines abound at the year’s final major championship. Here are the top five: After taking the Open Championship and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, can new world No. 1 Rory McIlroy make it three in a row? Will Tiger Woods play following his latest back injury? Can Rickie Fowler capitalize on his strong form at majors this year and actually win one? Will Phil Mickelson finally record a top-10 finish? Who steps up and puts themselves on the Ryder Cup team?
Heart of horse racing is at Churchill Downs
Valhalla is becoming known for major championships – this week marks its third PGA Championship, and it’s also hosted senior majors – but Louisville will always be known for horse racing. It’s the home of Churchill Downs, which annually hosts the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. So no trip to Louisville is complete without a visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum, where you can take a tour and see some of the most exclusive areas of Churchill Downs, in addition to getting a history lesson on the Kentucky Derby.
Baseball would struggle without its Sluggers
Louisville is also pretty big in the baseball industry. Louisville Slugger has its factory and museum downtown, where it sculpts the bats for more than 60 percent of all major league players. It’s easy to find – just look for the 120-foot tall steel bat standing outside. Inside you can check out bats used by some of the game’s greatest legends, take a factory tour where you learn how the bats are made, and then leave with your own free miniature Louisville Slugger bat. You can also personalize a real-size bat, getting your name branded on the barrel.
Birthplace of Muhammad Ali
OK, so museums aren’t always our thing, but you’ve got to admit that Louisville boasts some pretty impressive sports shrines. Because after you visit the Derby and Louisville Slugger, three blocks from the latter is the Muhammad Ali Center. The greatest boxer ever was born in Louisville, and his legacy lives on at this museum celebrating his life. You can watch some of Ali’s most famous fights, train with Ali in an interactive exhibit, watch a film on the life of Ali, or take a walk through the Core Principle Pavilions, which are modeled after Ali’s six values: confidence, conviction, dedication, respect, giving and spirituality.
Drink as much bourbon as your palate desires
Or maybe you’re more into spirits than sports. Louisville has you well covered as well. The town is at the heart of “Bourbon Country,” which has boasted loads of distilleries since the late 1700s. In the early 1900s, part of Main Street in Louisville was known as “Whiskey Row” because there were around 50 active distilleries. These days, you can visit eight of the distilleries on the “Kentucky Bourbon Trail,” or you can never leave the city on the “Urban Bourbon Trail.” The latter tour takes you to some of the world’s best bourbon bars, which all serve at least 50 different kinds of bourbon. If you’re determined, pick up an Urban Bourbon Passport, get stamps at six such locations, and receive a T-shirt and certificate.
Related Link: Complete PGA Championship Coverage
More PGA Championship Links:
– Now More Than Ever, Tiger’s Race to Catch Jack Looking Dim
– Flashback: Sergio Challenges Tiger at 1999 PGA Championship
– 9 Greatest Moments in Valhalla Golf Club History
– Live Updates: 2014 PGA Championship Long-Drive Contest
– ‘Walk-In Putt’ at Valhalla Just One Of Tiger’s Famous 16th-Hole Shots
– 2014 PGA Championship: Rounds 1 & 2 Tee Times and Pairings
– 2014 PGA Championship: adidas & Ashworth Scripting
– PGA Championship 2014: PUMA Golf Scripting
– 2014 PGA Championship: Nike Golf Scripting
– 2014 PGA Championship Scripting for Oakley’s Bubba Watson
– Why the PGA Championship Is Not a Minor Major
– Return to Valhalla: Tiger Woods vs. Bob May 14 Years Later
– The Odds: Rory Remains Huge Favorite at PGA Championship
– Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy Get Custom Louisville Sluggers
– 2014 PGA Championship: Valhalla Hole-By-Hole
– 2014 PGA Championship Scripting for Jason Dufner
– Last Shot: Colin Montgomerie Gets Final Major Chance at Valhalla
– 9 Greatest Moments in PGA Championship History
– PGA Championship To Welcome Back Long-Drive Competition
– You Can Influence the PGA Championship’s Outcome
– Players & PGA Championships To Offer $10 Million Purses
– The Fringe: Bubba Watson Won’t Drive for Show
– The Fringe: Tiger’s Caddie Carries On & Fowler Turns Some Laps
– ‘Stay Tuned’: Keegan Bradley Teases Fans With Jordan Shoes
– Greg Norman Collection Featured at PGA Championship, Ryder Cup
– The Breakdown: Rickie Fowler’s Majorly Impressive Year
– Oh, the Places Golf’s Majors Trophies Have Been
