Breaking the Game Down to a Tee

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The Last Chapter

It seems like just last week we were watching Bubba Watson shape an amazing shot to win the Masters. Fast forward a few months later and the final major championship is upon us. The PGA Championship will be the fourth and final chapter in what has been an exciting year for majors. Each major this year has provided a certain level of excitement during the final round that has us begging for more.

An aerial view of the 10th hole at Kiawah Island.

Personally I believe that this major will have to be as thrilling as its 2012 predecessors. Gone are the days when the PGA Tour was simply 100 men chasing Tiger Woods. The parity in golf is at an all time high with Tiger Woods still right in the thick of it. It is almost a perfect storm for the golf fan. Almost all of us want to see Tiger competitive in the game of golf, but we also want to see competition and memorable finishes.

This year’s installment of the PGA will take place on the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island. This South Carolina course will undoubtedly challenge the best players in the world. With so many golfers having a chance to win, there are many questions going into this tournament. The biggest of these questions is how will Adam Scott recover? Scott is less than a month removed from the most disappointing loss in his life. How he responds this week could set the pace for the how the rest of his career will go. Can he use this loss to strengthen his focus and his drive or will the pressure of a major championship be Scott’s kryptonite?

Tiger Woods aims to win his 15th major this week.

Another intriguing question is who is going to win this thing? We play to win the game, right? The three previous majors this year has seen three different winners. Can any of these golfers win their second major of the year? History would say that none of them will. Padraig Harrington is the only player to win multiple majors in the same year since 2008. The difficulty in this course will make it nearly  impossible for there to be a clear favorite in this event.

With that being said, we all want to know how Tiger is going to do. He has nearly completed his comeback from his fall from grace. Woods has won three times on tour this year but most everyone agrees that in order for him to really be back he will have to win another major championship. Whether or not that is true is another topic of discussion. Still it really is amazing to consider that Tiger Woods dominates so much attention in every event he attends. Fans want to see how he will do.

If Tiger Woods doesn’t capture his 15th major championship this week then it becomes less and less likely that he will be able to catch the elusive Jack Nicklaus. While there is no telling how long Tiger can play, every major championship he doesn’t win is seemingly another missed opportunity to overtake the throne as the greatest of all time.

While all these questions exist, there is still one definite fact. Someone will win. How that happens remains to be seen. Regardless, buckle your seat belts because something truly amazing is bound to happen.

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PGA Tour

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Should they stay or should they go?

While playing golf this weekend, a popular topic of discussion was the recent controversy surrounding long putters on the PGA Tour. Ernie Els’s recent victory at The British Open has fueled this debate by forcing PGA Tour rules officials to question if these long putters provide a competitive advantage.

I personally knew very little about the advantages implied when using a long putter. I struggle enough with the putter as it is. Naturally when hearing that the long putter could help my game, I started to listen.

Ernie Els using his belly putter.

Basically what I gathered from the conversation is that it basically eliminates some common mistakes when swinging the putter. In fact, you’re barely “swinging” at all. Long putters anchored to the chest or belly prevents a golfer from flipping their wrist or rolling their forearms. The putter acts as a fulcrum making the stroke much steadier and more consistent.

As far as I am concerned, I don’t see anything wrong with these long putters. I am not really sure how   it is different from advancements in golf club technology or the newest golf ball that goes farther and lands softer. Golf is difficult enough as it is. We will continue to push the envelope and do anything to make the game easier. Is that really cheating?

Another argument is that the less your arms and wrist have to move, the less chance there is for  nerves to come into play. Imagine standing on the 18th green. You have the biggest putt of your life  and your palms are sweaty. Your legs might even be shaking a little as the gallery waits in silence.

In this instance I could see why the long putters might be an advantage in the minds of some people. Having that consistent stroke that never fails is just one less thing to worry about while standing on the green.

Adam Scott’s version of the long putter.

Still I look at someone like Adam Scott. Scott also uses a long putter like Ernie Els. We know that while Els was lifting the Claret Jug, Scott watched after he missed putt after putt during the final holes to lose the championship.

So why was Els able to triumph while Scott faltered? I don’t think it had anything to do with their putters. It had more to do with Els being in this situation before. He knows what it takes to win major championships and Adam Scott does not yet. Els used his experience to navigate his way through  the final round and put pressure on Scott. Ultimately the pressure proved to be too much for the Aussie.

While you might have the best clubs in the world or the best golf ball, the human mind is still the ultimate variable in the game of golf. You must have the focus and motivation to work hard every day at the game and execute every single shot.

Those that have the strongest mental toughness usually are the ones who are most successful. Without this required toughness, most golfers will question almost every decision and not have the necessary confidence in their abilities.

So I say let the long putters stay. There is no way of knowing if these putters would cause a universal advantage. Each golfer is different and thus plays the game differently. Taking away long putters is a slippery slope in the ever evolving game of golf. What happens next if we take away these popular putters?

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Golf

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Olympic Glory

With the Olympics already technically underway, one cannot help but begin to feel the ultimate pride for their respective country. The Olympics truly takes place on a global stage that provides even the most casual of sports fans with an awesome spectacle that only comes around once every four years. This installment of the Olympics is already boasting with storylines and could potentially be another great showing for the Americans.

One of the biggest story lines will take place in the pool. Michael Phelps will yet again seek to dominate the Olympics and obtain as many gold medals as possible.

Fellow Americans Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

This time will be different though because Phelps has some real competition in the form of fellow American Ryan Lochte. Lochte has beaten Phelps before and has the best chance of dethroning the former golden boy of American swimming. Their relationship as both teammates and competitors will be sure to draw the eyes of everyone.

USA Basketball will also go for the gold once again at the Olympics. Basketball is continually evolving into a global sport but the Americans are still by far the universal favorite. This team has sparked a recent debate on who is actually the best team of all time.

This 2012 version of the dream team has publically admitted that they feel they could defeat the original 1992 dream team that sported some of the best players of all time.

Still this argument remains irrelevant unless USA Basketball can capture the gold medal once again. They face fierce competition from Argentina and Spain but they have no reason to not win the gold.

There are vast amounts of other storylines that will continue to unravel in the coming weeks. The USA Women’s soccer team will try to avenge their FIFA World Cup loss to Japan. On the men’s side, Spain will attempt to win the gold medal with the hopes that they can continue to win every major tournament on the planet.

Then there is Usain Bolt. Bolt is track and field. He is the most notable figure in the sport and could potentially be the fastest man on Earth. How will he comeback in this Olympics after dominating in 2008? That remains to be seen but rest assured the world will be watching.

Usain Bolt will attempt to wow onlookers once again.

The Olympics truly is the greatest sporting event. It compiles athletes all around the world to compete on a global stage for all to see. There is something very different about rooting for your country.

For a few weeks every four years we all forget about our attachments to something like our favorite baseball team or preferred soccer club. We instead take pride in our country and watch as athletes compete against the best in the world.

I personally feel the most compelling part of the Olympics is the unforgettable moments that take place. These athletes train their whole lives for these events. If an athlete is lucky enough to qualify for the Olympics, they might never get that chance again. Very few Olympians compete in multiple Olympics.

I can’t imagine the pressure these athletes must feel. They are no longer just representing themselves, but are competing for their country. If they win, they will be forever revered by their fellow countrymen. If they perform poorly, they may never get a shot ever again to prove themselves.

The Olympics is much more than an athletic competition. London will become the center of the world as people from all around will tune in. Champions will be crowned while others will likely be disappointed because their best effort just was not enough. I can’t wait to watch because there will certainly be moments that we will never forget.

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Olympics

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Ernie does it again

The Open Championship has a way of separating the men from the boys. Ernie Els used his experience and level headedness to take the Open Championship right from under Adam Scott quicker than the marriage of Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian.Els earned his fourth major championship while Scott was left standing wondering what could have been.

For me personally I was especially torn when watching the completion of this historic tournament. Ernie Els is one of the classiest guys to play golf. He never gets too high or too low. He came close to walking away from the golf almost a year ago and could not even get an exemption to play in the Masters this year. Since then he had an impressive finish at the U.S. Open and lifted the Claret Jug on Sunday.

Ernie Els kissing the Claret Jug.

On the other hand, how can you not help but feel sorry for Adam Scott? After tying the course record on Thursday, he cruised throughout the weekend. He was in a position that all golfers dream of. He had a four shot lead with four holes to go.

Even more disappointing, he seems just as classy as Els. Even though he missed the most important putt of his life and lost his best chance at a major to date, he handled it like a champion. He congratulated Els on his victory and did not whine about his misfortune. He went about his business and accepted the defeat despite his frustration.

While Els truly is a class act, I could not help but root for Scott. No one wants to see someone collapse like that in front of their eyes. It was truly gut wrenching. I also have a tendency to root for the underdog when I do not have a dog in the fight. Els has already captured three major championships before his victory last weekend.

I want to see guys win their first. The pure joy expressed by a golfer in the moment after winning their first is hard to duplicate and often ends up being an indelible image for most golf fans like Bubba Watson at Augusta or Webb Simpson at Olympic.

The British Open seems to have an uncanny ability to bring the best and worst out of golfers. We watched as Tiger Woods contended for the Claret Jug until the course literally brought him to his knees causing a triple bogey. We also watched as Els hung around all weekend and made a steep charge to the top in the waning moments.

Adam Scott voices his frustration.

The U.S. Open is different because it tests the best golfers in the world based purely on its difficulty. The British Open has a tendency to test the best golfers by proving time and time again that if you do not make a move then someone else will. As Els birdied 18 and hoisted his ball into the stands, he could not possibly think that he would later be hoisting the Claret Jug. He challenged Scott and unfortunately the Aussie was not ready for the challenge.

This year’s tournament was another historic chapter in the most historic golf tournament in the world. We had those moments that we will never forget and saw a winner that none of us could ever see coming.

Golfers might make their money playing in a variety of tournaments, but they seek greatness in these major championships. Like any sport, the greats of the game are defined by their ability to perform in clutch situations. They must have the guts and focus to be a champion. Els has all of this. He really is a champion and solidified himself as a great golfer.

As for Adam Scott, Els himself said that Scott has many major championship victories ahead of him. I imagine that how Scott bounces back will be indicative of the success for the rest of his career. A loss like this definitely has some spillover. I hope Scott can put this behind him and continue to be a successful golfer. He deserves it.

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Applications, Golf

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History Renewed

There is so much excitement going into the 141st installment of The Open Championship which begins on Thursday. The Open has the rare ability to ensure that the history of golf comes alive even for a mere four days.

The first Open took place in 1860 which was the same year Abraham Lincoln was first elected. So much time has passed since that first tournament. While our world continues to evolve constantly, there is still something so historic and legendary about the tournament that takes place every year in mid-July. Europe is after all the birthplace of golf.

What makes this tournament even more compelling is the amount of parody that exists in golf today. The last 17 major championships has seen 17 different winners. The only person to win multiple majors since 2008 is Padraig Harrington.

There is something so intriguing about not knowing if the winner is going to be Tiger Woods or Darren Clarke. It is anyone’s guess on who will lift the Claret Jug. Ben Curtis once found himself as the darling at the Open Championship after winning it in 2003. He now enjoys a lifetime exemption for his victory and said earlier this week that he firmly believes that at least 140 of the competitors have a chance of winning this week.

Darren Clarke after winning The Open Championship in 2011.

Even more intriguing are the story lines that often come into play at this tournament. We all want to know how Tiger Woods is going to do. He fell so far from grace that many doubted he could ever return. He has won three times this year but is still missing that major championship victory to reclaim his seat as undoubtedly the best golfer in the world. Tiger even has a chance to reclaim the number one ranking depending on his performance this week.

Quick, can you name the current number one golfer in the world? If you guessed Luke Donald then I am impressed. Donald still manages to fly under the radar despite being the best golfer statistically speaking. Unfortunately he also holds the title as “the best not to win one.” The rankings might say he is the number one golfer in the world but until he wins a major championship then the casual golf fan will continue to under appreciate his success. Can Donald lift the Claret Jug on Sunday in his native country and erase all doubt concerning his ability to perform when it counts? It still remains to be seen but it is another interesting story line for this week.

Then there are the others. It seems like the most popular golfers on tour are going in very different directions. Guys like Phil Mickelson and Rory McILroy have seen little success as of late as fans wait for them to compete at the level they have grown accustomed to. It is clear that the lack of play is getting to Mickelson. Rather than enjoying a trip to Europe with his family before the  tournament like originally planed, Mickelson instead  decided to play in the Scottish Open with the hopes to be better prepared for The Open Championship.

Included with the others are the newcomers. The game of golf has seen a huge wave of young players that are making their presence known. Golfers like Webb Simpson, Hunter Mahan, Keegan Bradley and Jason Dufner are just of the few young golfers on tour who have experienced some success as of late. How will they continue to perform on the big stage? These golfers have yet to seem intimidated by their older competitors. They continue to play well and prove that the future of golf is in good hands.

Then there is the course itself. Royal Lytham & St. Annes Club boast a lay-out just over 7,000 yards which actually plays shorter compared to other Open Championship courses. It first opened in 1868 in Lancashire, England and has since has lived up to its reputation as one of the best courses in all of Europe. The course has just over 200 bunkers making it important to shape shots correctly and will truly provide an admirable test to the best golfers in the world.

The bottom line is that the 2012 edition of The Open Championship will surely go down in history. Something will happen in this tournament that we will always remember as golf fans because this tournament never disappoints.

We will likely see some of the top golfers succeed. We will likely see some of the best young golfers succeed. We will also likely see someone we know very little about near the top of the leader board. While we are well aware of the history of this tournament, the future remains a mystery and that is what makes it so great.

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Golf, PGA Tour

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The rise and fall of Joe Pa

548 games coached. 409 wins. 61 years as a coach. 24 bowl wins. Five perfect seasons. Two National Championships. One scandal.

The Freeh Report was released earlier this morning that basically stipulated the most senior officials at Penn State did nothing to stop the actions of Jerry Sandusky. This includes Joe Paterno. The 267 page report points out that no action was taken for over 14 years while Sandusky was a coach at Penn State and later a football camp host.

This unfortunately furthers the assumption that Joe Paterno’s career will now forever be tarnished by what he did not do instead of what he did do. In the 46 years as head coach, Paterno never once violated an NCAA rule. His program preached winning, but also maintained lofty graduation rates for its players and the idea of good sportsmanship. Many of us imagined Paterno riding off into the sunset after his final game when the time was right. No one could have ever foreseen something as horrific and disturbing as this entire situation resulting in the termination of such a legendary coach and his untimely death.

Joe Paterno poses for a picture with Jerry Sandusky

I think many can argue that what Paterno did was not illegal. He did though have a moral obligation to ensure that his assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky, no longer was able to sexually abuse children. Still I think many of us need to examine what it would be like if you were in Joe’s shoes.

If someone came to you and told you that one of your closest friends and colleagues was a child rapist, do you think you would go straight to the police? I think many of us might try to take control of the situation to find the exact truth of the matter by ourselves. Many of us would need to be one hundred percent sure before turning a friend in for something so repulsive.

I am in no way condoning what Paterno did. I am simply saying that I can see where the decision to report these accusations wouldn’t be as black and white as it seems.

Sandusky used a charitable organization to lure vulnerable children into his life and eventually take advantage of them. The man is a predator and the man is sick. Instead of shamelessly tipping over news trucks or rioting in the downtown streets of Penn State again, the students and others involved would be better served to raise awareness on an issue that often goes unnoticed. If one were to really step back and look at the entire situation we would see that the real villains are Jerry Sandusky and Tim Curley. Sandusky will be spending the rest of his life in jail for what he did, but never did I see students standing outside his home protesting the disgusting acts he committed against young boys similar to what was done at Paterno’s home.

While we are all in uproar about Paterno not doing more, we should be equally upset that Tim Curley did not do more as well. Curley took the easy way out by stepping down from his position as Athletic Director when these findings first came out in November. He has since wandered off into social obscurity and has not been heard from. Curley was brought the facts about horrible acts taking place on his watch. He too sat idly by while knowing about the sexual abuse of children happening right under his nose.

How can this man have looked Sandusky in the eye and be content in what he was doing as an acting employee of the university? Curley had an obligation to run an athletic department that is not only competitive, but safe for those involved. Curley had all the resources needed to bring justice to these children, but also did nothing to stop it.

As far as the Board of Trustees goes at Penn State, they made the only decision they could when firing Joe Paterno. This decision was about more than just football. This board has to ensure that its students are safe and that the right people are employed to make their university a better place.

If I were an aspiring college student, I could not envision Penn State as a place where I would want to continue learning after such terrible things took place. Such display of inactivity and lack of responsibility is a reflection of the university as whole. Paterno was the highest paid employee by the school. As we all know, with great power comes great responsibility. If I were a parent of a possible football recruit, I could not possibly imagine that Penn State would be the best school to harbor my child and further him in the game of football.

The late Joe Paterno patrolling the sidelines.

Unfortunately there comes a day where actions, or in this case lack of actions, has consequences. Paterno should not be given a pass simply because he is Joe Paterno. This is not like some of the normal slew of college violations we have seen recently about illegal cash benefits or contact with agents. This is about people. These children were forced to perform unspeakable acts that are enough to make anyone sick to their stomach. The bottom line is that all those involved need to be held accountable.

While we all want to remember the bright spots during Paterno’s career, we simply cannot. It should not take such a high profile incident such as this one to get people fired up about sexual abuse against children. The sad part of this story is that it reminds us that sexual abuse against children happens every day. It is scary to think that the most unsuspecting people could be committing these unspeakable acts of sexual violence.

We can all agree that sexual abuse against children is terrible. Despite this, many of us have brushed off other cases concerning the sexual abuse of children as merely another news story that neither affects us nor concerns us. The fact that this particular incident implicates one of the most legendary coaches of all time is why people are so concerned.

This too is sad. Our real concern should go to those children who likely will never be able to lead normal lives and were taken advantage of at a time when they already needed help. The torment these children were experiencing on a daily basis could have been prevented and that is was will always be most troubling

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College Football, Joe Paterno, Penn State

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One and Dumb

College Basketball has always been one of my favorite sports to follow. Nothing comes remotely close to the excitement that centers on March Madness. I often join tournament pools where I carefully try to profile each team in order to pick the next Cinderella. Still, although I am extremely passionate (some might say obsessive) about college basketball, there is one rule that is completely undermining the game.

The one and done rule is a horrible rule for college basketball. The rule basically stipulates that a player must be 19 years of age within the calendar year of the NBA Draft. If the potential draftee played basketball at an American high school, they must be removed from their graduating class for at least one year. Most of the time this amounts to a high profile player playing one year of college basketball before entering the NBA draft.

It has become increasingly disturbing to me how pointless the education experience of a “one and done” player has become. As long as they make it through their first semester of college with a GPA above 2.0, there is nothing to worry about. They can sign up for classes and complete their basketball season without ever having to worry about their grades in the second semester. If the player already has it set in their mind that they will leave for the NBA draft following the season, what motivation do they have to work hard in the spring semester of their freshman year? Do you really think Anthony Davis was worrying about his math exam last year? Maybe if it helped him count all the millions of dollars he was about to make.

Anthony Davis is the likely number one pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Davis joins other players like Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight, and Tyreke Evans as recent players that entered the draft after one year of college. College basketball has essentially become the necessary evil similar to the troll hiding under the bridge in Three Billy Goats Gruff. It will stop you momentarily, but just get through it and you’ll make it to greener pastures.

Let’s be honest, these players are not completely terrible for college basketball. They’re obviously exciting to watch and they almost always provide for a David v Goliath match-up every time they step on the court. We all know who the one and done players are when they enter college. It is almost like a tease to see these players play one year. They generate a certain amount of instant excitement around any given program. It is for that reason that coaches and programs can’t help but recruit these guys.

John Calipari has famously made recruiting these players practically a science. He continues to recruit players that he knows will leave his program after one year and go on to the NBA. With that in mind, he reloads the following year after these players go to the NBA by showing recruits that he knows what it takes to make it to the league. This way both sides are happy. Calipari gets to keep his job by winning ball games and the players feel like they are using the best possible pit stop before going on to make the big bucks.

So how do we change this? The NBA should adopt the same draft principles as Major League Baseball. In MLB players can be drafted out of high school, but if they elect to not enter the draft or sign with the team that drafted them, they can’t re-enter the draft in another three years. This way a player can focus on getting better over a longer period of time if they elect to go to college and help major college programs become more team-oriented.

Tyson Chandler was the 2012 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Just because all these players aren’t LeBron, Kobe, or KG doesn’t mean they aren’t successful. Players like Deshawn Stevenson, Tyson Chandler, Jermaine O’Neal, Rashard Lewis, and Al Harrington all came out of high school. These players might not be franchise players, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t contribute to a team while making millions of dollars in the process. Sometimes individual statistics aren’t the measure of success in the NBA. I’d say that just making it there is an extremely impressive success in its own right. If teams are willing to invest large amounts of money into these high school players, how does the governing body of the NBA have the right to tell them no?

I’d also like to take a page out of the NFL handbook when it comes to high school players. If drafted out of high school, players should be accompanied by a mentor provided by the team. It amazes me how people younger than I am are going against the Big 3 of the Miami Heat one night and may have to guard Kobe Bryant later on in the season. I think it is important for players out of high school to have the right people around them when going to the NBA.

The NFL uses this idea for players who violate the player misconduct policy and issue mentors to help them get their career back on track. It is unfair to expect these 18 and 19 year olds to transition smoothly to the NBA.  This mentor should be someone who knows what it takes to make it through the grind of an NBA season. They could carefully explain to them what it means to be a pro and the steps that need to be taken in order to remain a pro. Far too often, these players are placed on a pedestal that seemingly proclaims them the greatest person to ever walk the Earth. These mentors could school draftees on the reality of the NBA and what it takes to get better.

I find myself rooting for certain players to underachieve with the hopes that they will return to play for another year in order to improve their draft stock while continuing to make the team better. I selfishly want these players to stay for my own personal gain. There is something really wrong about that. Hopefully the NBA sees the errors in their ways and will fix this rule before it is too late.

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Uncategorized

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Furyk fights forward

Jim Furyk returned to the spotlight this week after entering Sunday at the US Open as the 54-hole leader. Furyk was hoping to grab his second US Open title and battled admirably down the stretch on what was undoubtedly one of the hardest courses ever constructed. Unfortunately Furyk’s efforts were not enough to to hold off the young Webb Simpson who captured his first major title.

Jim Furyk on the 18th green on Sunday.

While many want to make this story about the surge of Simpson and the fall of Furyk, there are definitely some positives to take from this tournament. The Olympic Club truly played harder than any US Open course in recent memory. It allows any golfer to prove that they are indeed one of the best golfers in the world. Despite not winning, Furyk showed that he still belongs in the top tier of professional  golfers. Some may criticize his unorthodox swing but no one can question that he is indeed a model for consistency and a threat to win week in and week out.

With that being said, Simpson played terrifically. He took advantage of the opportunities presented to him and saved par when he had to. This truly was an outstanding victory by him. Many are going to want to say that Furyk cracked under pressure, but I do not believe that is the case.

The US Open is unique in the fact that not only is it such a tough tournament, it also has the ability to show that golf truly is a game of inches. One roll by the ball the wrong way can cost a golfer the tournament. Furyk just was not getting any breaks. Sometimes it was a birdie putt coming up just short. Other times it was a second shot that had no conceivable angle to advance the ball. For whatever reason it just was not in the cards for Furyk.

All is not lost though. These types of tournaments have a tendency to make or break a golfer. Some take a crushing defeat like this and let it get to them. Others use such a defeat as fuel for motivation and continue to play well as the season rolls along. I know we will see the latter from Jim Furyk. This is a guy that has constantly been doubted lately on his ability to compete. Still he continues to fight and ignore his critics. Many thought his career was over, but now he has finished near the top of the same tournament that saw some of the best golfers in the world not even making the cut.

I think Furyk will continue to be competitive for the remainder of the PGA Tour Season. He is a seasoned golfer that knows what it takes to win. Being so close to his second US Open will give Furyk that added boost for his desire to continue winning. Don’t be surprised when Furyk captures another major championship before it is all said and done.

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Golf, PGA Tour

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Tiger, Tiger Woods Y’all

Did anyone really think Tiger Woods was going to lose yesterday? I am still not sure if the roar on 16 after Woods chipped in for birdie was from the crowd or was it a hibernating Tiger suddenly waking up from his slumber. Yesterday was a classic Tiger Woods performance all the way down to his Sunday red.

The most impressive part about Tiger Woods winning for the fifth time at Memorial was how he did it. Tiger came into Sunday trailing behind Spencer Levin and Rory Sabbatini. He played a great front nine before making a huge charge on the back to claim victory.

Tiger Woods gives his famous fist pump.

The greatest shot came on the before-mentioned 16th hole. Tiger chipped in for birdie despite a terrible lie and extremely difficult hole location. If that shot had not gone in, Woods would have found it virtually impossible to win the tournament. The crowd truly erupted and Woods gave one of his trademark first pumps.

That fist pump had to be what got us all thinking. It really was vintage Tiger Woods. To the casual fan it would seem that Tiger could never return to the form where he dominated golf for an entire decade. Even if it was just for a moment, Tiger showed that that form never really left him.

We are all aware of the trials and tribulations Tiger has gone through in recent years. His fall from grace has been well documented, but now we might be seeing the beginning of the sequel and his resurgence to the top.

Some would go on to argue that Tiger never really left the top. He has already won once on tour earlier this year. Coincidentally his two victories on tour in 2012 were at Jack Nicklaus’s tournament and Arnold Palmer’s tournament.

By winning yesterday Tiger Woods tied Jack Nicklaus for second all time with 73 career PGA Tour victories. He accomplished this milestone in ten fewer years than Jack. Woods now only trails Sam Snead and his 82 tour victories to his name for the all-time lead.   Woods moved up to the fourth best golfer in the world by World Golf Rankings yesterday upon his exciting victory. Many would say that’s a pretty good year for any golfer. Tiger is not just any golfer though.

Jack Nicklaus congratulating Tiger Woods on his victory.

Tiger said it himself yesterday. He wants to dominate. The fans expect him to dominate. Anything short of that is a disappointment in most eyes. But when Tiger is on, is there anything more exciting in golf?

To make matters even more interesting, Woods grabbed the lead right under Sabbatini’s nose. The South African golfer was famous for calling Tiger “more beatable than ever” in 2007. Yesterday showed that when Woods is at his best, no golfer can come even close to beating him.

As the PGA Tour season rolls along, things will continue to get interesting. The U.S. Open is in just 11 days and many are wondering if we will see the Tiger Woods of old there. Say what you want about Tiger as a person, but him being competitive is great for golf. He is still the most relevant name on tour and is the one people go to see.

Since Woods has faltered in recent years, no other golfer has been able to firmly solidify themselves as the best golfer in the world like he did. Golf is desperately looking for someone to fill that void. It just might happen to be that the void could be filled by the same man who last left it.

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Golf, PGA Tour

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The real story from Colonial

Zach Johnson was so caught up in his victory on Sunday at Colonial that a two-stroke penalty was assessed and almost cost him the tournament. Johnson forgot to properly remark his ball on the 18th green before his final putt. He finished the hole and was unaware of the violation until after a rules official approached his caddie during a brief celebration with family and friends.

Fortunately for Johnson, he was still able to win the tournament despite the penalty. This was not the most important story concerning Johnson on this day. The reason this former Masters champion was so overcome by emotion causing him to forget to re-mark his ball was because of his caddie.

Johnson and Green embrace after winning Sunday.

Damon Green is the long-time caddie for Zach Johnson. Sadly, Green’s father succumbed to stomach cancer shortly after the Players Championship just ten days ago. Despite the short amount of time  since his father’s death, Green assured himself that his father would have wanted him to return to the bag this past weekend. It was apparent that Johnson was impressed with the courage of his caddie after an emotional celebration by the two friends once the final putt hit the bottom of the cup.

Green was able to help Johnson navigate to his eighth PGA Tour victory as well as a million dollar pay-day. Johnson and Jason Dufner were able to separate themselves from the competition going into the final round on Sunday. Dufner and Johnson were essentially the only golfers in contention going into Sunday and it remained that way all the way till the final hole.

What some may start to realize after this tournament is that golf is not always an individual game.  There is a definite team aspect between golfer and caddie. While the golfer is ultimately the one that swings the club and has final say in any decision on the course, the caddie is still there battling in the trenches week in and week out. Each individual must trust each other enough in order to communicate about each and every shot.

If there is any question about whether or not a golfer and caddie are a team, then one only has to examine Johnson and Green’s celebration after the tournament. There is obviously a relationship that exists well beyond the golf course between the two of them. They each have the same goal to win in every tournament they play and both will try their hardest in order to do so.

That amount of effort and dedication by two parties makes the fostering of such a friendship relatively easily. Like any working relationship, we respect those who make sacrifices for the greater good of the team. That is exactly what Green did this weekend. Green could have easily stayed home with his family in this time of grief and no one  would have judged him negatively because of it. Instead, Green decided to take part in the tournament to make his father proud as well as to be there for his friend. Clearly, Green is the true testament of a great friend and teammate and his courage should be commended.

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