Ernie Els gets in some bunker work on the last day of practice at Medinah.

"The new playoff system will provide a fair test," PGA president Will Mann said. "All golfers involved in a playoff will have the opportunity to post the best score, eliminating the element of luck that can occur in a sudden-death playoff."

Ironically, it was the PGA Championship in which a sudden-death playoff first determined a winner in a major championship -- Lanny Wadkins in 1977.

The British Open uses a four-hole playoff, while the U.S. Open uses an 18-hole stroke play event the following day.

Don't expect The Masters to change any time soon -- if it all. There is barely enough sunlight to get in 18 holes on Sunday; the only sudden-death playoffs have not gone past the second extra hole.

Wisconsin offered 2007 event
Every PGA Championship venue from now through 2010 is taken except for 2007. That could change soon.

Jim Awtrey, chief of the PGA of America, said Wednesday that Whistling Straits in Wisconsin has been offered the PGA Championship in 2007.

"As to what that final decision by (course owner) Herb Kohler is going to be, I don't know at this time," Awtrey said. "We have issued that opportunity for them."

The last time -- and only other time -- the PGA Championship was played in Wisconsin was 1933, when Gene Sarazen defeated Willie Goggin at Blue Mound Country Club in Milwaukee.

Mickelson's streak
Phil Mickelson's top priority is winning the PGA Championship, his last chance this year to win a first major. But his goals won't end after Medinah.

Mickelson has won at least one PGA Tour event every year since 1993, the longest streak on tour.

"There's a lot of credibility to a guy who can win every year on tour," Mickelson said.

The longest Mickelson has gone without winning during the streak was two years ago at Bay Hill, the third week in March.

The next three weeks represent his best chance to run his streak to seven in a row.

He will play the International next week, a tournament he has won twice and was runner-up last year. After that is the NEC Invitational at Firestone, another place where Mickelson has won and usually contends.

"This is really one of my favorite stretches," Mickelson said.

If he doesn't win, Mickelson said he may consider adding one more tournament after the Ryder Cup to give himself another chance.

Ernie Els currently is tied with Mickelson at six straight years after winning in Los Angeles in February.

Distinguished service
Bill Dickey, founder of the National Minority Junior Golf Scholarship Association, was honored Wednesday with the PGA Distinguished Service Award for those who promote the values and ideals of the PGA of America.

Dickey launched the East-West Golf Classic in 1983 and used the proceeds to create his scholarship association, which has awarded nearly $900,000 to nearly 600 college students.

"Bill Dickey has been a moving force in opening doors for young golfers," PGA president Will Mann said.

Past recipients include presidents Gerald Ford and George Bush and players like Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.

Divots