Golf: Turning back the clock
As the U.S. Open unfolds this weekend at Shinnecock Hills, the battle between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson serves as a backdrop for the PGA's new "Golden Era." An abundance of talent at the top of the moneylist has helped the tour create the kind of rivalries that haven't been seen since the days of Jack vs. Arnie.
For most of Generation X or Y or whatever we are, the Golden Age of golf is something we've only read about in books, or seen clips of on ESPN Classic.
For me, it's as if Jack, Arnie and company competed a long time ago in a land far, far away.
Sure, we were lucky enough to be part of the Tiger-sensation, and we grew accustomed to even average players bombing 300+ yard drives.
But, something was missing.
It got a little boring watching Tiger annihilate the competition week after week, separating himself from the pack like he was Marion Jones running the hundred against David Wells and William Perry.
Then something funny happened. Things started changing; albeit slowly at first.
It all began when Tiger started to stumble.
No one thought much of it at first, probably because he was still playing well enough to retain the No. 1 ranking and finish high on the money list.
Yet, something was different. He wasn't winning majors, and his swing began deserting him at the worst possible time -- Sunday afternoons.
We began 2004, almost two years removed from Tiger's last major celebration.
Mike Weir, Jim Furyk and Ernie Els had all hoisted trophies more recently then Woods, and newcomers like Chad Campbell and Adam Scott had proven their ability to make noise on the game's biggest stages.
Then things got crazy.
Sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the last whole, Phil Mickelson won the Masters on one of the best Sundays the sport had ever seen.
He and Ernie Els set the back nine of Augusta on fire while the whole world watched.
His streak of 42 majors without a title had taken on a life of it own, like a fire-breathing dragon guarding the mythical trophy.
Every time Lefty got close, the dragon seemed to rear its ugly head. Sometimes it was in the form of an overly-aggressive flop shot, while at other times it came simply as a competitor destined for greatness.
With each passing near-miss, crowds began rooting harder and harder for Mickelson to finally break through.
On Easter Sunday in the fabled fairways of Augusta, Phil finally rewarded his legions of supporters using his superb short game and magnetic smile to, at last, tame the dragon.
Before the winning putt had even settled into the bottom of the 18th cup, fans were already imagining future Sunday afternoon battles between the new Mickelson and the old Tiger.
All the while Tiger has sputtered along, playing well enough to lend his fans hope, but never well enough to win.
He has insisted he's just a shot or two away from finding his dominant form, but after an zero for eight run in the majors, more and more people are wondering -- what's wrong with Tiger?
Questions regarding both his upcoming marriage and his split with long-time swing-coach Butch Harmon have plagued Woods all year.
Battling the super-human expectations brought on by his own extraordinary success has left him looking frustrated and at times confused on the course. But remember, this is Tiger Woods and he's still ranked fourth on the money list despite his struggles.
Suddenly, golf has emerged from Tiger's shadow and is threatening to ring in a new Golden Age.
Tiger, Phil, Ernie, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia... the list goes on.
The PGA is overflowing with emerging youngsters to play along with its biggest stars, including the once untouchable Woods. Veterans are remembering the times when names like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Lee Trevino filled the leader-boards, and engaged in many Sunday afternoon duels.
Thus the stage is set for this year's US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
On a course that rewards precision over power and shot-making over long-driving, Sunday afternoon promises to be a wild final-lap in what should be a terrific four day race.
Battling the Long Island winds, Tiger will try to end his dry-spell and re-establish his reign of dominance.
Phil, meanwhile, will simply be trying to ride the tidal wave of good fortune that has elevated him since his victory at Augusta.
Plus, don't forget about the assortment of stars chasing them, from Vijay to Sergio to Ernie.
Golf is alive again.
From the winds of Pebble Beach to the bunkers of St. Andrews, the game is finally littered with stars cut in the same mold as its past legends.
This week's open will be just another magnificent notch in the sport's legendary belt.
Finally, the Golden Age is back, and this time it's not just on ESPN Classic.
It's on Long Island instead.
For me, it's as if Jack, Arnie and company competed a long time ago in a land far, far away.
Sure, we were lucky enough to be part of the Tiger-sensation, and we grew accustomed to even average players bombing 300+ yard drives.
But, something was missing.
It got a little boring watching Tiger annihilate the competition week after week, separating himself from the pack like he was Marion Jones running the hundred against David Wells and William Perry.
Then something funny happened. Things started changing; albeit slowly at first.
It all began when Tiger started to stumble.
No one thought much of it at first, probably because he was still playing well enough to retain the No. 1 ranking and finish high on the money list.
Yet, something was different. He wasn't winning majors, and his swing began deserting him at the worst possible time -- Sunday afternoons.
We began 2004, almost two years removed from Tiger's last major celebration.
Mike Weir, Jim Furyk and Ernie Els had all hoisted trophies more recently then Woods, and newcomers like Chad Campbell and Adam Scott had proven their ability to make noise on the game's biggest stages.
Then things got crazy.
Sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the last whole, Phil Mickelson won the Masters on one of the best Sundays the sport had ever seen.
He and Ernie Els set the back nine of Augusta on fire while the whole world watched.
His streak of 42 majors without a title had taken on a life of it own, like a fire-breathing dragon guarding the mythical trophy.
Every time Lefty got close, the dragon seemed to rear its ugly head. Sometimes it was in the form of an overly-aggressive flop shot, while at other times it came simply as a competitor destined for greatness.
With each passing near-miss, crowds began rooting harder and harder for Mickelson to finally break through.
On Easter Sunday in the fabled fairways of Augusta, Phil finally rewarded his legions of supporters using his superb short game and magnetic smile to, at last, tame the dragon.
Before the winning putt had even settled into the bottom of the 18th cup, fans were already imagining future Sunday afternoon battles between the new Mickelson and the old Tiger.
All the while Tiger has sputtered along, playing well enough to lend his fans hope, but never well enough to win.
He has insisted he's just a shot or two away from finding his dominant form, but after an zero for eight run in the majors, more and more people are wondering -- what's wrong with Tiger?
Questions regarding both his upcoming marriage and his split with long-time swing-coach Butch Harmon have plagued Woods all year.
Battling the super-human expectations brought on by his own extraordinary success has left him looking frustrated and at times confused on the course. But remember, this is Tiger Woods and he's still ranked fourth on the money list despite his struggles.
Suddenly, golf has emerged from Tiger's shadow and is threatening to ring in a new Golden Age.
Tiger, Phil, Ernie, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia... the list goes on.
The PGA is overflowing with emerging youngsters to play along with its biggest stars, including the once untouchable Woods. Veterans are remembering the times when names like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Lee Trevino filled the leader-boards, and engaged in many Sunday afternoon duels.
Thus the stage is set for this year's US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
On a course that rewards precision over power and shot-making over long-driving, Sunday afternoon promises to be a wild final-lap in what should be a terrific four day race.
Battling the Long Island winds, Tiger will try to end his dry-spell and re-establish his reign of dominance.
Phil, meanwhile, will simply be trying to ride the tidal wave of good fortune that has elevated him since his victory at Augusta.
Plus, don't forget about the assortment of stars chasing them, from Vijay to Sergio to Ernie.
Golf is alive again.
From the winds of Pebble Beach to the bunkers of St. Andrews, the game is finally littered with stars cut in the same mold as its past legends.
This week's open will be just another magnificent notch in the sport's legendary belt.
Finally, the Golden Age is back, and this time it's not just on ESPN Classic.
It's on Long Island instead.
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