What have the first 24 hours on the isle of Bermuda been like for three "rookies" competing in the 25th PGA Grand Slam of Golf?
The season-ending 36-hole showcase of major champions, conducted this Tuesday and Wednesday for the first time outside the United States, evoked a variety of reactions.
Masters Champion Zach Johnson marveled over being lodged in a two-bedroom "house" that features four restrooms.
British Open Champion Padraig Harrington found an English pub on Bermuda, which felt almost like home until someone told him that soccer and rugby weren't being shown on the television.
U.S. Open Champion Angel Cabrera said simply, via an interpreter, "This is a dream come true."
The three major champions participated in a Champions Clinic Monday and a pro-am at the host Mid Ocean Club.
They will be joined Tuesday morning in the elite foursome by Jim Furyk, the No. 1 alternate this year and the 2003 U.S. Open Champion. He replaced reigning PGA Champion Tiger Woods.
Furyk arrived on the island at midnight Monday, having spent the past week competing in an event in Korea.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, broadcast by TNT, will be aired Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. ET/PT and Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf foursome is competing for a total purse of $1.35 million, with the winner receiving $600,000.
Johnson, whose public attention level skyrocketed after his victory last April at Augusta National Golf Club, said that he is grateful for having received the "perk" of an invitation to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
"It means you have to win a major to be here, which is a good thing. It's an added perk," said Johnson. "It's kind of a perk on steroids. In other words, The PGA of America pretty much accommodates you in any fashion you need.
"I have my whole team here -- all my coaches, my trainer, my family and my agent and all their significant others. For The PGA of America to roll out the red carpet for us, it's pretty special. It's a nice way to end the year."
Johnson said that he and his wife continue to enjoy a magical year.
"My wife and I still to this day are like "Wow, we won the Masters? How'd we win the Masters? Still, it's mind-boggling. Still unreal to us that it happened," said Johnson. "I always thought I could contend in a major, but I never thought it would be the Masters. All the opportunities that go with it are the reminders.
"The reminder that we won one is the fact that we're inundated with all these opportunities and requests. All good stuff but its every day pretty much. My agent and I have this list compiled and everyday we just go down this list. Small things to something like this."
Cabrera, the "last man standing" last June at Oakmont where he captured the U.S. Open, called his arriving for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, "a great honor."
"It seems like a very great place to take some vacations."
"This is like a dream come true," Cabrera said. "Winning a major is the most difficult part of it. All of these events that come after winning a major, it's a great honor to be part of them. It's very nice participating. You have to take it easy and be calm and show up at every event. But definitely it is a dream come true."
Harrington, who endured the gauntlet of rugged Carnoustie to win the British Open, said that to compete in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf is a career feat.
To win a major, "for all golfers, that's what our careers are about. We're all trying to win a major. Getting here is a big deal, but once you get here, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf is also a big deal," said Harrington. "This is an event I've watched on TV over the years. I'm delighted to be here and see what it's all about.
"This is the first time I've been to Bermuda. I got in on Saturday night and I've been enjoying it so far. We went to an English pub yesterday that didn't have any rugby or soccer on, which was very odd, but everything else has been great."
Harrington said that he has struggled to adapt to the attention and commitments since he won his first major in July.
"It's been very, very busy. Very, very busy," he said. "But it's starting to taper off a bit now. But now I'm ready to play golf."
During the Pro-Am on Monday at Mid Ocean Club at Tucker's Town, Bermuda, the pairings included the Academy Award-winning couple of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Zeta-Jones said that as a club member and resident, she welcomes the arrival of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
"I think for a small island like we have here in Bermuda, the golf courses are quite incredible. We are lucky since we live here and we can enjoy them," she said. "But, for the world to see what we sometimes take for granted is fantastic. It is great for the island to have The PGA here."
Douglas said that he has noticed a major commitment by island residents to host the event.
"Everybody is so excited. You know, nothing is blas? about it. It really is a thrill," he said. "A lot of people remember we had the Gillette event here years ago, but having another event has been a long time coming. October is such a special, magical month down here. You get this kind of beautiful weather, and we have a great mix of players down here. It is such a treat. A lot of people are taking a day off of work.
Douglas said that he and his wife will be interested in observing how Tour professionals compete on a course that they know very well.
"It's a tough course for ladies," said Zeta-Jones.
"It will be fun to watch what the pros do to it. We find it tough, but we're duffers," said Douglas. "It's been fun watching how they set it up for this event. We went out yesterday and saw the greens were playing really fast. If it stays as calm as it is today it will be gorgeous. There is something always special about watching pros play at your home course."
"It humbles you considerably," said Zeta-Jones.
"It's a great opportunity for Bermuda to be seen on TNT. Particularly on days like this," said Douglas. "It's kind of a reminder that we're only 1 hour and 45 minutes from most of the East Coast. Hopefully this will develop into a long lasting relationship."
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
