PGA Championship Predictions 2012: Top Stars Who Will Dominate at Ocean Course

With so much going on in the sports world right now, the 2012 PGA Championship has sneaked up on us. The Ocean Course in Kiawah is sure to provide plenty of drama, though it won't be as brutal on the scores as the Olympic Club. 

Even though this has really been the year of the underdog in the major championships, it would stand to reason that the top stars on the PGA Tour would break through with at least one big victory before the end of the season.

Here are the biggest names that we will be keeping an eye on at the Ocean Course this weekend.

Tiger Woods

Who better to start with than the biggest star in the sport? 

Woods has had a remarkable year, with three victories and six top-10 finishes. There have been bumps along the way, but he has started to figure a lot of things out after such a long down period.

The Ocean Course does play very long, with a total distance of 7.873 yards, which actually plays into Woods' hand. He is going to bash the ball off the tee as hard as he can. The one area he has shown dramatic improvement this year is on the fairway, as he is currently 13th in Greens In Regulation and first in scoring average.

His putting has been spotty this year, so he will have to take advantage of early opportunities to put himself in contention.

Given his propensity to find the green quickly and put himself in positions to make easy putts, I think he is going to have a fantastic weekend.

Keegan Bradley

Bradley's star was never higher than last August, when he won the 2011 PGA Championship. He has been more solid than spectacular this season, with three top-10 finishes and one victory, but he is hitting his stride at the right time. 

He won the Bridgestone Invitational last week at 13-under par, never shooting above a 69. Obviously that kind of score is not going to happen at the Ocean Course, but I like where his game is at right now and we know what he can do under immense pressure.

Bradley was a sleeper last year. He won't sneak up on anyone again, though he should not be dismissed at this tournament because he has proven himself on this stage.

Jason Dufner

If you aren't on the Jason Dufner bandwagon yet, it is time to start looking for a seat on the bus. He started the season slow, missing the cut at the Sony Open and finishing 29th or lower in three straight tournaments in February and March.

Since that time, though, Dufner has been rolling. He has six top-10 finishes during that time and two wins.

I think his performance at the U.S. Open, while not exactly a dominating effort, is a good gauge for what Dufner can do at the Ocean Course. He finished three-over par at that event—good enough for a fourth-place finish. 

Dufner is fifth on Tour in scoring average (69.30) and third in proximity to the hole, so he gives himself plenty of chances to get a low score. That kind of player can have great success at a course as long and trying as the Ocean Course.

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