Golf: The PGA train needs coal

By Ryan Ballengee Sports Central Columnist

I was really hoping that this week would be another strong week for the PGA Tour. The past month or so on the Tour has been spectacular. Every tournament since the Players Championship has been decided by a single stroke.

It looks like that will also be true again this week at the Shell Houston Open. At press time, the tournament has not been completed, but with 25 golfers within four shots of the lead, the finish is sure to be tight.

Despite the impending close finish, I am vastly disappointed by this week's Shell Houston Open. It is a real momentum killer for a Tour that will not see its supposedly best player, Tiger Woods, until mid-June. And it will be another few weeks before Phil Mickelson, arguably the hottest hand on Tour this season, shows up for the HP Classic of New Orleans.

For a Tour that is currently lacking major star power due to the absence of Woods and Mickelson, the leaderboard in Houston is not encouraging. Steve Stricker? Patrick Sheehan? Steve Lowery? Sure, I know these guys and would like to see them succeed as much as anyone else. But, really, when it comes down to it, wouldn't you rather see Davis Love III or Freddy Couples at the top?

At least there is one shimmering light this week in Houston, and that is the continued strong play of Zach Johnson. Johnson was by far the best player on the Nationwide Tour last year, earning near a half-million dollars to lead the money list. That is the equivalent of about $5 million dollars under the Big Tent. He has already won this year and he is poised to do so again. Making a successful jump from the Nationwide Tour is nothing new, but to post a double win opening campaign may be.

And on top of those accomplishments, Johnson may be able to earn himself a spot on the Ryder Cup team in September. While that may not enter the mind of Johnson so early in the season, the prospect of a young American horse on the team would breathe life in what is becoming a tired spectacle.

The Tour needs someone like Zach Johnson, or Zach himself, to be successful this season. And I'm not talking about a guy who will win one time, cause a big stink for a week or two, and then fall off the map. Adam Scott, I am looking in your direction, only because you followed up a Players win with a Masters humiliation. The kid has promise. But lots of kids on Tour have promise. CH3, David Gossett, Ben Curtis all have promise. But promise doesn't cause excitement. Winning causes excitement.

So, for the Tour to continue its seven-year run of increased attendance and mainstream popularity, at least one young gun has to become a consistent challenger on Tour. Oh, and don't forget that Tiger Woods needs to play in more tournaments.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.