Joey D checks in from the PGA Championship...

So here we are in Chaska, Minnesota this week, checking in from the 91st PGA Championship. It's the final major of the year and thankfully weather isn't going to be the issue this week. The course is in great shape, the guys are ready and this should be an exciting week.

You'd think the media would be focused on what's going to shake down this week at Hazeltine, but every time I flip the channel or log on, all the talk seems to revolve around Tiger Woods and a looming fine regarding him calling out the rules officials after his win at Bridgestone last weekend.

Every player has had to deal with being on the clock and speeding up their pace of play. It's part of the game. That said, was it really necessary to put Woods and Padraig Harrington on the clock at the par-5 16th? Obviously Tiger didn't think so. This was the final pairing and both guys were battling. Time wasn't really of the essence and though the rule is black and white, could European Tour chief referee John Paramor gone a bit overboard and impacted the outcome of the tournament? We'll never know.

The guys were definitely running a little bit behind, but at that point did it really matter? You had two great players in their mindset and looking to win a tournament. Did they really need the push or distraction with no other groups behind them?

You never want to get to a point in the sport where you see a specific rule for a specific player... but when you have a Woods v. Harrington showdown with three holes remaining in the tournament, it seems like it'd make the most sense to just let the guys play through, stay in their mindset and see where things go. The rules official was technically in the right, but it's also very easy to see where Woods is coming from. The fact that he spoke out after the event was proof that it really rattled his cage. Even after winning the event, he felt passionate enough to voice his frustration. Curious to see how things play out from here.

Back to Hazeltine, the general buzz when I walked up and down the range yesterday is that guys are pretty confident right now. The guys who are playing well are ready for this final major and the guys on the bubble know what they need to do to get ready for The Playoffs. Check out PGATour.com and see how close the race is for a handful of guys. This is a huge week and everyone knows it. A lot is on the line - from FedExCup points to a slot in the President's Cup. Beyond wanting to win a major, there is a lot of pride on the line. I expect a hell of a tournament this week.

I had a chance to speak with Phil Mickelson for a few minutes today and he said Amy is doing better, which was great news to hear. I know how that's been weighing on him and as a cancer survivor, I personally know what Amy is going through and I wish the Mickelson family all the best.

Regarding my guys, I have Pat Perez, Jason Dufner, Charlie Wi and Ryuji Imada all ready to go this week. PP is playing some solid golf with a nice finish in Akron last week, Jason is coming off a T3rd place finish in Canada a few weeks back, Charlie has had a very solid year and while Ryuji is struggling a little bit, his short game is incredible and all he needs is a hot putter to be in the thick of it every week. All four guys will be good to go come tomorrow and I'm expecting a lot out of all four of them. My expectations are high as a coach and being the last major of the year, they all better bring it.

More to come from Hazeltine this week. I'll keep everyone up to speed and next blog I want to focus on my brother in this biomechanics game, Coach Chris Noss. He and I talked at length yesterday and his guys are having an incredible year. I want to share with you some of Coach Noss' wisdom as well as some stories regarding his stable of players. Tune back in tomorrow for more.


Joey D.