Truth & Rumors: Crooked Stick bidding to host 2020 PGA Championship

Crooked Stick made the most of its turn hosting the last week's BMW Championship, complete with marquee leaderboard. So what if Rory McIlroy quashed some of the drama Sunday by proving once again that he's the world's best golfer? Lately, he tends to do that regardless of where he's playing.

Turns out, even before all that, the Carmel, Ind., track had tossed its name into the ring for the 2020 PGA Championship, according to Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star.

A formal presentation was made to PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka and managing director of championships Kerry Haigh on Aug. 30 and the BMW Championship served as a proving grounds of sorts.

"The golf course works and the market is outstanding," Ted Bishop, vice president of the PGA and director of golf at The Legends Golf Club, Franklin, Ind., said Monday. "It just gets down to logistical issues the site presents and, I think, if they can be worked out, there is a great chance it's going to happen."

First, though, Crooked Stick is working to wiggle itself into the BMW's rotation. Currently, sites are set through 2014, when BMW's sponsorship deal runs out. The Western Golf Association, which throws the party, will need to get another deal in place before picking future locales.

Fair to say the audition went well, according to the Indianapolis Business Journal. Crowds far exceeded last year's event in Chicago, despite some traffic issues. And TV numbers -- aided by a who's who of golf's last decade vying for the title -- saw a big boost, jumping 160 percent over last year, according to Sports Media Watch.

The takeaway: If Crooked Stick stays on the straight and narrow, we'll see it again soon enough.