So spring is here and golf courses around the US are filling up and golf is back in the public eye after a long winter.
Tiger Woods is still slowed by injury and even if he decides to play again this year, that should no longer be the story.
When Tiger rose to the top, he had the world at his feet, and could win on command. There was no one else. You can say Phil Mickelson was there and that Sergio Garcia pushed him, but it was really never that close. You really prayed that Tiger would take the week off so you had a shot at winning that weekend. But all Tiger did was win, and he made golf cool for a whole lot of people. I grew up watching him win the green jacket as just a kid, and how he lapped the field at Pebble Beach. He was unstoppable. With all of that wining came a lot of publicity and that was not Tiger’s thing.
This year though, the golf world has a chance to make a clean break, let there damaged hero ride off into the sunset, and let a new wave of young talent lead the way. For a while, the world waited for Rory Mcilroy to go head-to-head with Tiger and challenge him in a new way for that coveted number one spot. But Tiger got hurt by one of his own golf clubs and has never been the same. So for this guy, I am done with Tiger and the rest of the world should focus on the new stars on the tour.
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Its hard to pick just one good story these days, and golf needs that new young infusion of talent. Jordan Spieth took the world by storm last year winning the Masters and the US Open and all at just 21 years old; they are already saying he is the next Tiger. He was hot from the start and looked just as dominant when he raised the FedEx Cup at the season’s end. Spieth is motivated and extremely passionate on the course, and he is even likable off the course. He connects with the fans in a way that Tiger wishes he could have. He has fun, and it shows. And now their are more characters then ever who can make an impact on any given weekend. He has an amazing back story about how he fought for his success, stayed at school a little longer, and has a blast with his sister. You look at Spieth on the course and for some reason he gets it. We should buy tickets to see him play and that should be enough.
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Spieth may have won 2 majors last year, but Jason Day was the one who kept it from being 3 major championships. At the end of the year, Day battled vertigo to come out with the US Open and he finished the year strong by winning the BMW Championship and The Barclays en route to a third place FedEx Cup finish. His kids steal the show every time he wins, running out to congratulate their dad. The Aussie, seems to have picked up where he left off, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Now Day has been around longer the Spieth, but he is growing into one of those guys that everyone wants to watch. Day is one of those really humble guys that connects with the fans as well (I sense a theme here). Tiger missed the boat on being one of those kinds of guys when he would freeze out people that worshiped him.
Then there is still Rory. He had a chance to be that guy all by himself, but his long hair and crazy amount of freckles slowed him a bit after he signed his massive new Nike contract. He seems to have found his sea legs again and is always in the hunt. His boyish charm and his amazing Irish accent make him a fan favorite wherever he goes. But no one has a love-hate relationship with the fans like Bubba.
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Bubba Watson shocked the world, with what may be one of the greatest Masters shots ever from the pinestraw. But his unorthodox style on and off the course makes him a target. The good part is, Bubba does what he wants. He can spit the criticism out and just keep going. He plays because he loves life and it shows. Watson in the last year has been trying to make one big change now versus later: being a better guy to play with on the course. Many tour pros did not like playing with him and he took that to heart and he has tried to be someone guys are excited to play with.
This list could go on and on. Adam Scott has lost his belly putter this year, but he still has his eyes on the prize. Dustin Johnson has a beautiful wife and can hit the ball a country mile. Rickie Fowler is always drawing a crowd because of the crazy colors he wears and that he thinks he can make any shot. Zach Johnson and Jim Furyk are old, but are still finding ways to stick around. The PGA has a chance to sell tickets not because of what one person could do, but what this team of stars can bring to the table any given Sunday. And notice, we only talked about Tiger once.
Lets stop watching the PGA tour to see Tiger and instead embrace the new young guns of the sport.
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