Steve Stricker has never won one of golf's biggest championships, and the Americans are mired in their longest major drought of the modern era.
Several PGA professionals gathered around the tee on the first hole at Atlanta Athletic Club, breaking into applause when one of their own hit the fairway with his opening tee shot Thursday.
The PGA has selected Bellerive Country Club of St. Louis to serve as the site of the 2013 Senior PGA Championship and the 2018 PGA Championship.
The combination of the Ocean Course and the world's best golfers has made tickets for the 2012 PGA Championship extremely hot items.

The U.S. rain gear at the Ryder Cup is no longer a fashion faux pas.
Call it Water(proof)gate.

Tiger Woods experienced a Ryder Cup tradition for the first time Tuesday.
Since Quail Hollow Club returned to the PGA Tour in 2003, big-name golfers from Tiger Woods to Phil Mickelson have said the Charlotte course could be the site for a major championship.
Anyone wishing to take on the Whistling Straits course where Martin Kaymer won the PGA Championship and Dustin Johnson was buried by a bunker ruling need only to make a reservation and have $340 handy, along with $100 for the caddie.