It didn't seem to make much difference with the paying customers.
Mainly because of his presence, the crowds exceeded 190,000 for the week. The course, which played tough, generated mostly rave reviews from the players, which should ensure that next year's field is even stronger.
And, most encouraging of all, the word is that Aronimink is working very hard to get considered for a PGA Championship, perhaps as soon as 2018. It was supposed to host the 1993 PGA, but had to withdraw because the club did not conform to minority policies at the time.
That's obviously no longer an issue. Apparently, neither is the layout, which the pros deemed major-worthy. So stay tuned. These things don't necessarily happen just like that. But for an area that has been golf-starved for way too long, any news along those lines is a good thing. Particularly on the heels of the U.S. Open coming back to Merion in 3 years, for the first time since 1981. Aronimink did host the 2003 PGA Senior Championship.
As for what was going on inside the ropes . . .
Rose hadn't won in this country until The Memorial in early June. He was in position to get it done again a week earlier, but closed with a 75 to settle for a tie for ninth.
This time he took a four-stroke advantage into the final 18 holes. By the time he made the turn, he was ahead by five, having just made his first eagle of the season. Then he made his first three-putt in 275 holes, and came right back with another on the 11th. The two bogeys made it interesting. But Rose, who hit 16 greens in the final round, finished with seven consecutive regulation pars. That gave him an even-par 70, for a 4-day total of 210. He becomes the third guy in 4 years to lift the AT & T trophy after winning Memorial, joining K.J. Choi (2007) and Woods (last year).
