PGA offering long, hard look; Course at Medinah is no picnic among the trees.(Sports)

Byline: GARY D'AMATO Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Under a leafy canopy at beefed-up Medinah Country Club in Chicago's southwest suburbs, a number of story lines will play out this week at the 88th PGA Championship.

First, there is Tiger Woods, fresh off a 24-under-par tune-up victory at the Buick Open, looking to close the gap on Jack Nicklaus and all but wrap up his eighth PGA Tour player of the year award in 10 years.

There is defending champion Phil Mickelson, still trying to shake the stigma of his horrendous double-bogey on the 72nd hole of the U.S. Open.

There are a dozen players fighting to make the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

And …