The Ocean Course, not the players, will control this PGA Championship

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. -- The scorecard yardage of 7,876 makes the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island the longest in major championship history. As daunting as it sounds, that is not the reason players in this week's PGA Championship look so battered and bruised as they exit the premises.

Sunburned and sullen, the look of exasperation is as much about the wind as it is the strenuous walk and length of the course.

The weather gauges and forecasts might not register quite as strongly as the wind is actually whipping off the Atlantic Ocean. Various predictions had this being a calm week. If that is the case, what is like when it really blows?

Walk onto the Ocean Course and there is always a breeze. You…