Fans Can Select Crucial Pin Position for PGA Championship


The PGA of American has launched an innovative program that will allow golf fans to select the pin placement on a hole in the upcoming PGA Championship. The fourth major of the year will take place August 8-11 at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y.

Starting July 23, the "Pick the Hole Challenge" hosted by Jack Nicklaus allows fans to select the pin location for the 181-yard, par-3 15th hole in the final round. The contest runs through the championship's third round on August 10.

Fans will have a choice between four locations, meaning that they can't put the cup in ridiculous places. The four selected locations have been chosen by Kerry Haigh, who has set up the PGA of America's championship courses since 1989, and Nicklaus.

Fans can cast their vote on one of the four pin positions at http://picktheholechallenge.pga.com.

The five-minute video has Haigh and Nicklaus explaining the pros and cons of each of the four possible choices.

"I found it fascinating listening to Jack talking about what he's thinking about as a player," Haigh said.

The 15th hole was selected because it comes at a pivotal time in the final round. Its long and narrow green is guarded on the right by a pond and by three bunkers left, offering considerable variety in where the pin can be positioned.

"That's one of the reasons this hole was selected," Haigh said. "There are a lot of options, and none of them are particularly easy."