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BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. Authentic Ryan Grant Jersey . - To walk up the stairs to the locker room at Oakland Hills is a swift journey through history, the kind that most Americans would like to forget. Go up the first flight and there on the wall is a wood-framed photograph of Colin Montgomerie, posing after another flawless swing. More large photos are at every turn, from Sergio Garcia staring down another flag to Luke Donald thrusting both arms in the air to Bernhard Langer posing with a gold cup. The final photo shows a champagne-soaked celebration at Oakland Hills. The last major competition here was the 2004 Ryder Cup, and it wasnt much competition at all. Europe 18 1/2, United States 9 1/2. "I got here this morning to play and there wasnt a soul out here," David Toms said Monday. "It was a lot different from the last time I walked off this golf course." For eight Europeans from that winning team, there are nothing but happy memories. And that might be one reason odds are better than ever of a European winning the PGA Championship for the first time in 80 years, its longest drought in any major. "It was one of the most memorable weeks Ive ever had, certainly on that golf course," said Ian Poulter, who won his singles match against Chris Riley in 2004. "And it will be nice to go back to a golf course that I know, that Ive played well on, and refresh and rekindle your mind with those good thoughts. "That certainly is a golf course Ive got a lot of good memories around." Poulter also can take good memories from the last major, where he challenged Padraig Harrington at Royal Birkdale with a birdie on the 16th and a 15-foot par on the final hole that turned out to be good enough for the silver medal. And hes not alone. Europe has 16 players who are among the top-50 in the world ranking, although Donald is not at Oakland Hills because of a wrist injury that has kept him out of the final two majors and could keep him off the Ryder Cup team. Three other players from Europes record-setting victory in 2004 did not qualify for the PGA Championship - Paul McGinley, Thomas Levet and David Howell, whose six-iron to eight feet on the 17th hole was among the signature shots that week. Even so, their collective spirits have never been this high. Harrington has led the way, ending Europes eight-year drought in the majors by winning at Carnoustie, then becoming the first European in 92 years to win the British Open in consecutive years. Lee Westwood came within a 15-footer of forcing a playoff at the U.S. Open and last week at a World Golf Championship event. Garcia, who some consider to be the best player without a major, won the next best thing to a major when he captured The Players Championship in May. Robert Karlsson of Sweden is the only player who has finished in the top-0 at all three majors this year. Maybe it would be best for Americans to use alternate stairs to reach the locker room, for Oakland Hills has far more history than an exhibition between continents. This is where Ben Hogan won the U.S. Open in 1951 and gave the course its nickname, finishing at 7-over-par, 287 total, saying he was glad he brought "this monster" to its knees. The last of eight majors held at Oakland Hills was the 1996 U.S. Open, where Steve Jones won by one shot over Davis Love III and Tom Lehman, and Tiger Woods played his final U.S. Open as an amateur. Woods is missing his second straight major after season-ending surgery to rebuild his left knee, although PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said the worlds No. 1 player is starting his rehab. Despite that 1-2-3 finish by Americans in the 96 U.S. Open, the most recent memories of Oakland Hills arent all that great. Phil Mickelson played two matches with Woods, hitting a three-wood into an unplayable lie on the final of a foursomes match, getting benched by U.S. captain Hal Sutton and hitting into the water on the 16th to lose his singles match to Sergio Garcia. Chris DiMarco was the only American with a winning record that week, but that seems so long ago. DiMarco tied for 12th last week at Firestone, his best finish in a year, moving him up to No. 184 in the world. But there is one big difference, namely the golf course. Rees Jones, the latest architect to get his hands on this Donald Ross original, stretched it an extra 318 yards, meaning the "Monster" now measures 7,395 yards, the longest ever for a par 70. "I havent seen it since I played it in 04," said Paul Casey, who was 1-1 at that Ryder Cup. "Its just an incredibly tough golf course. From what I remember, it requires all the shots. "Youve got to move the ball left to right, right to left. You need to hit it long, you need to hit it straight, you need to putt well. These are just some of the most difficult greens Ive ever seen. So it takes absolutely everything." Toms was among the few who played all 18 holes Monday, as most players were arriving. He recognized the additional length, not by the card but by the number of times he was taking the cover off his hybrids and fairway metals. He was asked his most vivid memory of 2004, which is worth noting for the PGA Championship. "We just lost our first match, and the first question Mark Rolfing (of NBC Sports) asked me was, How can you explain not making any birdies? " Toms said. "And I told him it was a tough course." Drew Brees Womens Jersey . - Captain Tyler Murovich and Ryan OConnor both scored a pair of goals as the Saginaw Spirit defeated the Sarnia Sting 7-2 in Ontario Hockey League play Friday night. Calvin Johnson Youth Jersey . After the National League championship series, they can shout three letters. "M-V-P!" Ross went from baseballs scrap heap to the top of the heap, landing there as one of the Giants most unlikely post-season stars. Authentic Justin Smith Jersey . - The Detroit Lions have signed running back Maurice Morris to a three-year deal and cornerback Eric King to a two-year contract. Jason Pierre-Paul Jersey . Xavi Hernandez chipped Etoos pass back to him as he ran into the area in the 40th minute, and the Cameroon striker volleyed a lob over onrushing goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo to secure Barcelonas fifth straight league win. Barcelona has 72 points from 29 games, while second-place Madrid stayed within six of its classic rival by stretching its unbeaten league run to 14 games thanks to Higuains fifth goal against Malaga this season. Randall Cobb Jersey . Lamar Odom added 19 points with 13 rebounds, while Ron Artest chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who won their seventh straight to kick off a five-game road trip. The Lakers are eight games in front of Phoenix for the top spot in the Pacific Division and hold the top seed at the moment in the Western Conference. Nick Fairley Jersey .C. -- The nation owes not only gratitude but tangible assistance to the nations military and their families, and shell make that a focus of her time in the White House, first lady Michelle Obama says. Tony Gonzalez Womens Jersey . Prado, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game, had three hits and scored three times in his return to the lineup for the Braves, who have won three in a row and eight of 10 overall. Diory Hernandez hit the second homer of his career in the victory. Pierre Thomas Jersey . Ltd. are participating in talks about a project involving Maple Leaf Gardens, reports the Toronto Star. A bride got into a fierce quarrel with a friend who gave her an IOU for a gift on her wedding in Benxi, Liaoning province. While screaming at her friend at the party, the bride kept repeating that it was a bad omen to give an IOU to a couple about to start a new life togetther. Justin Tuck Jersey. In his defense, the friend said he gave away all the cash he had to a number of friends who got married over the week-long national Day holiday. He said he would not mind if the couple chose to give him an IOU on his own wedding day. (Chinese Business Morning View) ' ' '