PITTSFORD, N.Y. — It looks as if golf’s final major championships will move forward by a few weeks in 2016 to allow for golf to be played in the Olympics at Rio de Janeiro.
Ted Bishop, president of the PGA of America, whose final major tournament of the year finds itself in direct schedule conflict with the first Olympic golf event since 1904, said “in all likelihood” the 2016 PGA Championship will be played in late July.
Bishop said nothing has been officially decided, but a change will be needed with the Olympics moving into the time frame of the PGA, which in 2016 will be at Baltusrol in Springfield, N.J.
Pushing the event back into September or October would cause a conflict for the PGA Tour playoffs or the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.
“I doubt seriously that it would be after Labor Day,” Bishop said. “I would think what you are going to see in 2016 probably would be a sliding forward of the majors.”
Moving the PGA Championship to late July could push the British Open ahead as well, with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem saying he is committed to keeping the World Golf Championships event at Akron, Ohio, the week before the PGA Championship.
➤ When former PGA champion Mark Brooks withdrew yesterday he was replaced by Fairfield, Conn.-native J.J. Henry, for whom Brooks caddied at the Players Championship in May.
➤ Not including Shaun Micheel, who won the PGA in 2003 at Oak Hill, the venerable golf course has crowned a list of winners who have combined for 29 major championships — Cary Middlecoff, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and Curtis Strange.
➤ Funny moment yesterday during an interview with Ian Poulter. When he was asked about having a late tee time (1:55 p.m.) for today’s opening round, he said, “Set my alarm for 10 o’clock and I’ll have probably 12 hours [sleep]. It’s easy. For me, I love sleeping. I’m half man, half mattress. I don’t want an early wake‑up call.’’