Dean Burmester seeks strong performance at PGA Championship in North Carolina

Inclement weather might have hampered his preparation for the PGA Championship, starting on Thursday, but South African Dean Burmester will look for four days of ‘good golf’ to give him a shot at the title.

The second major of the year takes place at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, and for the LIV golfer, it presents an opportunity to do well in his debut at the course. He recently told Golf Digest that he’s only played the lengthy course on PlayStation as he braces for his baptism of fire.

After finishing tied twelfth at last year’s tournament at Valhalla alongside current Masters champion Rory McIlroy, Burmester says he feels in good form coming off some strong rounds as part of the Stinger GC team on the Saudi-backed tour.

“I am carrying decent form coming in here and yes, it is the strongest field, but it only takes four good days to lift the trophy,” Burmester said.

“That is my expectation. I want to put four good days together and see where I am at at the end (of it). After traveling over multiple time zones, I probably needed the week off and needed the rest. I feel pretty good actually.

“I’ve put in a lot of work, so I am excited to get going come Thursday.”

Two weeks ago in South Korea, Burmester holed out with a seven iron, hitting an ace during the LIV event, and he will be hopeful to replicate that this week. He says plenty of people told him ahead of the major that Quail Hollow will suit his game.

He can hit a ball long off the tee box and will be eager to test himself with his driver in hand.

“Having played 18 holes here, I do think so (that it suits his game). The course setup is very generous off the tee, and pretty wide with some thick rough, and firm greens. So, it kind of suits the long hitters and I don’t hit it too short. So, it will suit my game.

“We all want to perform well in the majors. So, there will always be pressure. I don’t think there is more pressure compared to most tournaments. It is one of the big four in the history of golf, so that is the only added pressure.”

Burmester is joined by fellow South Africans Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Erik van Rooyen, Thriston Lawrence, Garrick Higgo and Daniel van Tonder at the tournament.

Masters champion McIlroy, world number one Scottie Scheffler, and LIV South Korea champion Bryson Deschambeau are amongst the favourites to win.