U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman has selected veterans Stewart Cink and Scott Verplank with his captain's picks. Both have proven themselves in international team competition, and both hit the ball straight and have strong short games.

For one weekend, Medinah Country Club felt a lot like Wrigley Field. But when it comes to the majors these days, says PGA.com's Grant Boone, there are Tigers (Woods) and Cubs (every other player on tour) and the result is no contest.

Some helped themselves mightily with strong showings at the PGA Championship, while others shot themselves out of contention. Now all that remains is waiting for a call from U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman to see if they made the cut.

On the first green Sunday, Luke Donald turned away so he wouldn't see Tiger Woods sink the birdie putt to take the lead. But when he heard the roar, AP Columnist Jim Litke says, he knew that, once again, Woods would win a major.

Tiger Woods' challengers disappeared so quickly on Sunday that they could have stopped for lunch after nine and nobody would have noticed, says AP Columnist Tim Dahlberg. Is Woods that good or are the guys chasing him that bad?

With a chance to make a big splash by beating Tiger Woods and winning his first major, Luke Donald instead faded into the background as he scuffled to a tie for third. So for now, his dream of being among the best will stay just that.

Shaun Micheel closed with a 3-under 69 on Sunday to finish in solo second, five shots behind Tiger Woods. But for Micheel, who has struggled since his breakthrough in 2003, the strong result in a major is almost as good as a victory.

After trying out some other caddies, Sean O'Hair is happily back with Steve Lucas, who also happens to be his father-in-law. The pair put things together at Medinah just like they did last year, when O'Hair was the rookie of the year.

Plus, Dean Wilson gets another shot at a World Golf Championship, Billy Mayfair smiles at the end of an eventful week, Ryan Moore snags a top 10 in his first PGA Championship, Tiger Woods gives a shout-out to Michael Jordan, and more.

Though the British Open and the PGA Championship were very different tournaments that saw Tiger Woods in very different emotional states, the result in both was exactly the same: Woods in total command of his game and the field.

As the top finisher on the 2006 Major Champions Points List, Jim Furyk will round out the foursome in the 2006 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Furyk will play alongside Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy and Tiger Woods in Hawaii in November.

What does Luke Donald -- or anyone else, for that matter -- need Sunday in order to walk away with the Wanamaker Trophy? PGA.com's Grant Boone says an otherwordly force and an appearance by Halley's Comet wouldn't hurt.

We're told that majors are supposed to be tests of survival, says AP Columnist Tim Dahlberg, but this PGA Championship is proving that you can identify the best players by letting them make birdies instead of forcing them to grovel for pars.

Beneath his easy smile and cool exterior, Luke Donald has always wanted to be seen as the world's best player. He'll get his first opportunity to take a major step toward that goal on Sunday, when he plays in the final group with Tiger Woods.

This birdie-filled PGA Championship will go down as a rarity, but it shares one trait with many other majors -- Tiger Woods atop the leader board with one round to go. Even more rare would be an ending without him holding the trophy.

Since his breakthrough victory in the 2003 PGA Championship, Shaun Micheel has remained in the shadows and without another win. But after a change in attitude and on a course he loves, Micheel has re-emerged as a big-time player.

Two shots off the lead, Mike Weir would like nothing more than to finish strong and create a new memory of Medinah after struggling in the final round of the 1999 PGA. After his stellar 65 on Saturday, he believes it's about time for a win.

Plus, Geoff Ogilvy bounces back again, Tim Herron makes a big Ryder Cup push, Sergio Garcia hopes for another Medinah moment, Ian Poulter knew Medinah was made for Luke Donald, Stewart Cink aims for the top 10, and more.

The soft fairways and receptive greens at Medinah have led to scores lower than most expect in a major. But, AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson says, the excellence of this PGA Championship can be found in the quality of the play.

Joey Sindelar recorded only the third double-eagle in PGA Championship history on Saturday when he holed a 3-wood from 241 yards on the par-5 fifth hole. "It was very exciting for me," he said. "I almost duffed my next tee shot."

Love was in the air Thursday at the 88th PGA Championship, but on Friday it was filled with heavy humidity and cast of characters not known for major heroics. Who will take the lead role at Medinah come Sunday is anyone's guess.

Unlike Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy spent most of the second round in the middle of the fairway. And though not too many people noticed, says AP Columnist Jim Litke, the U.S. Open champ is just one shot off the lead.

After feeling on top of the world after an impressive 2-under 70 in his first round in a major championship, PGA Professional Greg Bisconti came back to earth on Friday. As a result, he heads home having learned a major lesson.

A pair of PGA Professionals survived the first two rounds at Medinah, and get to play the weekend. Don Yrene of Scottsdale, Ariz., rode a clutch eagle over the cut line, while Jim Kane of Edmond, Okla., put together a pair of steady 71s.

Vaughn Taylor, Zach Johnson and Brett Wetterich came to Medinah in the top 10 in the Ryder Cup points, but all three missed the cut. Now all they can do is wait and see if survivors like Tim Herron and Lucas Glover knock them out.

Plus, Vijay Singh heads the list of high-profile players getting the weekend off, David Toms is thriving on some inside information, Sergio Garcia might be on the verge of a turnaround, age means nothing (yet) to Fred Funk, and more.

After ruining a potentially great opening round at Medinah with a late triple-bogey on Thursday, Davis Love bounced back Friday with a solid 69 that has him just off the lead -- and in great shape to improve his Ryder Cup status.

Rising star Luke Donald is a popular pick to be the first European to win a major since 1999. He's put himself in an excellent position to contend this weekend, he revealed, after changing his outlook in the wake of Heather Clarke's death.

In an attempt to get his players as comfortable and prepared as possible, Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman has arranged a quick trip over to the K Club in late August. It will be the first planned U.S. team visit to an away Ryder Cup site ever.

Among all there is to take in at Medinah, one landmark is easily the most popular. Seven years after Sergio Garcia hit his famous shot out of its roots in the 1999 PGA, the big oak tree near the 16th fairway has become a must-see.

PGA.com Junior Editor T.J. Auclair was on the course Friday afternoon with the threesome of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy, and he filed live updates after each hole. Check out his exclusive report from inside the ropes at Medinah.

After needing a box full of Kleenex near his computer while writing his tribute to Darren Clarke's late wife, Heather, earlier this week, PGA.com's Grant Boone is glad to back to the business of making us smile.

Spectators hoping for smackdown between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson on Thursday were no doubt disappointed, says AP Columnist Tim Dahlberg, as they game's top two players instead put on a solid show of shotmaking.

Davis Love was cruising along in the lead on Thursday, when the par-3 17th turned a great score into one that was just OK. He's still off to a good start, but knows he needs a strong finish if he wants to make the Ryder Cup team.

On an emotion-packed Thursday, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman began his PGA Championship by leading a memorial for Heather Clarke, and ended it in the Rules office after a penalty made a bad round even worse.

Greg Bisconti, a PGA assistant professional at The Saint Andrew's Golf Club in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., made his major championship debut on Thursday a memorable one with a stellar 2-under 70.

Among the 19-strong contingent of PGA Professionals in the field this week, a quartet ended Day One in red numbers. Greg Bisconti led the way with a 2-under 70, while Jim Kane, Don Yrene and Kelly Mitchum all posted 71s at Medinah.

Plus, Colin Montgomerie and Thomas Bjorn are just two Europeans off to struggling starts, Jerry Haas won his brotherly battle Thursday, Ernie Els suffers a loss, a record number of players were below par at benign Medinah, and more.

Billy Mayfair is ecstatic just to be playing at Medinah this week instead of dealing with X-rays and white-blood cell counts, says AP Columnist Jim Litke. And because he's free of the usual pressures, Mayfair is one to keep an eye on.

Luke Donald, who has lived in Chicago since his college days at Northwestern, is the rare European who can sleep in his own bed at a PGA Championship. After poor starts in the other 2006 majors, his opening 68 has him in good shape.

Lucas Glover, Stewart Cink and J.J. Henry made strong bids for spots on the U.S. Ryder Cup team with impressive showings on Thursday. But Brett Wetterich did himself no favors with a 76 that included two quadruple-bogeys.

When last we saw Chris Riley, he was getting roasted for saying he was tired at the 2004 Ryder Cup. After a year of struggles, he resurfaced Thursday with a share of the lead and stressing that he was misunderstood at Oak Hill.

PGA.com Junior Editor T.J. Auclair was on the course with the much-anticipated threesome of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy, and he filed live updates after each hole. Check out his report from inside the ropes at Medinah.

Former USGA president and accomplished amateur player Fred S. Ridley on Wednesday night became the 18th recipient of The PGA of America's most prestigious honor, the PGA Distinguished Service Award.

The first two rounds of the 88th PGA Championship are all about the match-up of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. With those two in the same group, anticipation of the opening days of a major has never been higher.

Greg Bisconti, a PGA assistant professional from Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., is one of 19 PGA Professionals competing in the 88th PGA Championship. Read about his experience at Medinah in the second of his daily diaries that will appear on PGA.com.

At the end of his unprecedented first decade as a pro, Tiger Woods is such a prohibitive favorite at Medinah that some sports books won't take bets on him. That has Tim Dahlberg wondering whether this great player has yet to play his greatest golf.

The PGA Championship is back at Medinah for the first time since 1999, where once again we have the longest course to host a major, much buzz over the Ryder Cup, Sergio Garcia waiting for his first major, and Tiger Woods hitting his stride.

After two long years, the U.S. Ryder Cup team will be finalized at the PGA Championship. But with so many spots still up for grabs, Captain Tom Lehman is as eager to see who steps up and makes the most special team in golf.

Suddenly, golf doesn't seem so important. At least not to Grant Boone, who carries a heavy heart to Medinah after hearing the sad news that Darren Clarke's courageous wife, Heather, has lost her battle against breast cancer.

Tom Lehman will lead a service for Heather Clarke outside the Medinah clubhouse. Plus, the 2008 schedule is already causing consternation, Brett Wetterich is tired of defending himself, Kenneth Ferrie is back to square one, and more.

In the years since the 1999 PGA Championship, Sergio Garcia has six PGA Tour victories and has led Europe to two Ryder Cup wins despite a suspect putting game. But if greatness is defined by majors, he is still trying to find it.

Eric Larson was caddying for Mark Calcavecchia when he was jailed on a federal drug charge. After serving 11 years, Larson is quick to blame only himself for his actions, and equally quick to give thanks for a valuable second chance at life.

Colin Montgomerie tees off in his 60th major on Thursday with two goals: to claim his first big trophy, and to lose some more weight so he can fit into his Ryder Cup clothes. He finished sixth in the 1999 PGA, and feels good at Medinah.

With the launching of a multi-platform live poll and sweepstakes for the 88th PGA Championship, golf fans can vote for a chance to win a PGA Golf Getaway via Wireless Text Message or at PGA.com.

A former newspaper linotype operator, Tom Bendelow designed Medinah and hundreds of other courses nationwide with minimal fanfare. Bendelow was the architect of Medinah Country Club's three courses and more than 600 others.

Ron Philo Jr., winner of the 39th PGA Professional National Championship in June, leads the field of 20 PGA Club Professionals into the 88th PGA Championship at Medinah. Philo made the cut at Baltusrol last year with sister Laura Diaz caddying.

Fred S. Ridley, who recently concluded his term as the 58th president of the USGA, is the recipient of the 2006 PGA Distinguished Service Award, the highest annual individual honor bestowed by The PGA of America.

Neither Tiger Woods nor Phil Mickelson is putting too much stock in their match-up in the first two rounds of the PGA Championship. Nevertheless, this latest chapter of their rivalry remains the center of conversion at Medinah.

Qualifying for the PGA Championship in his home state was a big coup for PGA Professional Mike Small, the golf coach at the University of Illinois. And his Tuesday practice round with Phil Mickelson has him more ready than ever to tee off.

Phil Mickelson presented each attendee with a special retrospective at the past champions' dinner on Tuesday. Plus, Jay and Jerry Haas share some brotherly love, Ernie Els' knee and his game are coming around nicely, and more.

As a lifelong friend of Heather Farr, the popular LPGA player felled by cancer, Billy Mayfair shuddered when he was diagnosed with cancer. Now that he's back playing again, he's realizing what a life-changing year this has become.

Steve Elkington the biggest name of several players to pull out so far, putting Bob Estes and Billy Andrade, among others, into the field. Plus, Colin Montgomerie supports drug testing, Nick Dougherty is driven to distraction, and more. 

As if the long streak of European futility in the PGA Championship isn't weighing on them enough, many of the European players at Medinah are struggling to focus on their preparations as they mourn the death of Heather Clarke.

Forgive Geoff Ogilvy if he feels like the forgotten man in his pairing with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. But don't worry about the reigning U.S. Open champ because, as he says, he tends to play his best in big situations like this.

Greg Bisconti, a PGA assistant professional from Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., is one of 19 PGA Professionals competing in the 88th PGA Championship. Read about his experience at Medinah in the first of his daily diaries that will appear on PGA.com.

As if the Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson pairing in the first two rounds wasn't going to be dramatic enough, now Dave Pelz, Phil Mickelson's short-game coach, says no one can beat Mickelson when he's on his game, even Woods.

Playing in the PGA Championship was a difficult decision for Padraig Harrington in the wake of Heather Clarke's death. He plans to honor her memory by donating any prize money he earns at Medinah in her name to breast cancer research.

Jeff Sluman, who lives just down the road from Medinah in Hinsdale, Ill., has learned from experience that trying too hard hurts his game. So the 1984 PGA Champion relaxed last week and is just looking forward to the experience.

Mike Scully's football career helped prepare him for the challenges he faces in his position as Medinah's 6'5½, 265-pound PGA head professional. Scully took the job in 2003, moving back to his home state of Illinois after a stint in Florida.

At 7,561 yards, Medinah is on paper the longest course ever to host a major. But the players who took a crack at it on Monday believe that, on a hole-by-hole basis, the lengthy layout is full of testing but fair challenges.

Jerry Kelly took the last two weeks off, putting all his Ryder Cup eggs in the PGA Championship basket. Plus, Arron Oberholser is on the mend from a cucumber mishap, Ron Philo again has a famous caddie on the bag, and more.

Mike Scully grew up 30 minutes from Medinah dreaming of a career in professional football. When that journey was cut short, he got into golf, and this week reaches the peak of his career as the PGA Championship's host professional.

Several top European stars considered pulling out of the PGA Championship to attend Heather Clarke's funeral until Darren Clarke said that Heather would have wanted them to play. Plus, several alternates make the field, and more.

Hand-held devices will be available for spectators to rent during practice and tournament rounds at Medinah. With myLEADERBOARD technology, fans will be able to walk the course and follow the tournament like never before.

Built for Shriners in the 1920s, the pristine Medinah Country Club has a rich history that has included a distinctive clubhouse, the 1999 PGA Championship, three U.S. Opens, and numerous course renovations.

The inaugural PGA Championship in 1916 launched the Hall of Fame career of Englishman "Long" Jim Barnes and marked the milestone birth of golf's third-oldest major.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have reduced the Big Five to the Big Two this year. Both roll into the PGA Championship eager to win a second 2006 major and make a definitive statement about who's the top player this year. 

Every other year, the PGA Championship takes on extra importance as the final chance to make the U.S. Ryder Cup team. And thanks to a change in the points system this time, the race for the places is more dynamic than ever.

Great things were expected of Sergio Garcia after his big 1999 performance at Medinah. Some are disappointed that he's yet to win a major, but he points out that, compared to his peers except for Tiger Woods, he's done pretty well.

The first PGA Championship was contested 90 years ago at Siwanoy Country Club. On Friday, four Metropolitan PGA Professionals gathered at the historic venue to commemorate the creation of one of golf's truly great events.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson won't have to try hard to keep up each other in the first two rounds of the PGA Championship. The world's top two players have been paired together, along with U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.

TNT and PGA.com team to deliver unprecedented multi-platform simulcast during the 88th PGA Championship, August 17-20, 2006. Using CNN Pipeline technology, coverage on four distinct broadband channels will be available.

Medinah C.C. PGA Assistant Professional Brad Conklin experienced something many dream of on Monday -- he caddied for 11-time major champion Tiger Woods. Conklin helped Woods in his preparation for the 88th PGA Championship.

Inspired by "mate" -- Ralph Russo, director of marketing for the 2006 PGA Championship and ALS patient -- Ernie Els donates time and expertise for the Les Turner ALS Foundation's fundraising event at Medinah Banquets on August 15.

The PGA of America will commemorate the birth of the PGA Championship 90 years later at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, N.Y. The inaugural PGA Championship was won by Jim Barnes, who defeated Scotsman Jock Hutchison.

The PGA of America has announced that it will feature a host of fan-friendly amenities at the 88th PGA Championship -- the season's final major -- at Medinah Country Club. Free tickets and giveaway-prizes will highlight the practice round portion of the Championship.

Phil Mickelson detailed how he's putting together his strategy for his PGA Championship title defense in a special news conference on May 16, at Medinah Country Club. Officials from The PGA, Medinah, CBS and TNT also discussed their preparations.

After a recent renovation by Rees Jones, the famed No. 3 Course, just outside Chicago, will present a new challenge to the elite field in August. Many changes have been made since the 1999 PGA Championship, which was also at Medinah.

With the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah fast approaching, tournament officials met with the media recently to discuss the Championship and to show off Rees Jones' renovations to the storied layout located in Chicago.

With the 2006 PGA Championship coming to Medinah Country Club in August, PGA professionals from the Illinois PGA for the first time offered free golf instruction at Mayor Daley's Holiday Sports Festival held in December.

Corporations from around the country came to Medinah Country Club in Chicago recently to see first-hand the entertaining opportunities available at the 2006 PGA Championship.

The PGA of America has announced that the 88th PGA Championship in 2006 and the 39th Ryder Cup in 2012 will be played at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill. Both events will be played on Medinah's No. 3 Course.

As many as 19 different ticket packages, including daily and weekly ticket options, are now available for the 2006 PGA Championship, tournament organizers have announced.