The PGA Championship at a glance

Aug 07, 2008 - 11:21:59 CDT

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A brief look at the PGA Championship, which starts Thursday:

Site: Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course).

Length: 7,395 yards.

Par: 35-35—70.

Purse: $7.5 million.

Winner’s share: $1.35 million.

Field: 156 professionals (20 club pros).

Defending champion: Tiger Woods.

Ryder Cup qualifying: This is the final tournament for eight U.S. players to qualify for the Ryder Cup.

Key statistic: A European-born player has not won the PGA Championship since Tommy Armour in 1930.

Noteworthy: This is the first time a defending champion did not play in the PGA Championship since 1949, when Ben Hogan was recovering from near-fatal injuries suffered in a car accident.

Quoteworthy: “Great golf course, but probably the toughest PGA I’ve ever played.” — Sergio Garcia.

Key tee times: 7:45 a.m. — Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson, Rich Beem; 12:15 p.m. — Trevor Immelman, Angel Cabrera, Padraig Harrington.

Television: Thursday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., TNT Sports.