Spanish bomber rains down on Tiger`s group

Chaska: The Hazeltine National Golf Club is playing as the longest course in majors history, which suits Spanish bomber Alvaro Quiros just fine.

Quiros surged to near the top of the leaderboard by shooting a three-under par 69 yesterday at the PGA Championship but it was a booming blast on the 606-yard, par-five 11th that had everyone talking. It might have gone unnoticed most days but it just so happened that Quiros broke one of golf`s etiquettes by hitting into the group in front of him that included world number one Tiger Woods. "I mean, that`s just stupid long, isn`t it?" said Woods. "To hit it that far into the wind is phenomenal. It`s just absolutely phenomenal.” "I used to be able to move the ball. Not anymore. I just plod my way around, shoot 67." Woods, who was preparing to putt with defending champ Padraig Harrington and Rich Beem, said no offense was taken. He was more impressed than anything at Quiros smashing his way to the green in just two shots. "It didn`t come close to anybody," he said. "But it just rolled up on the front edge. And you have to understand. You know how big a hit that is? What is this hole playing 606 into the wind. Tee shot`s uphill. Yeah." The long-hitting Quiros averages a European Tour-best 315.6 yards off the tee and used a driver on his stunning second shot. Bureau Report