Pro Tour
The big question is still whether Tiger will beat Jack's record in the Majors. We now know for sure that Tiger will not return to playing the way he did prior to 2009. Why? He's got physical limitations. His swing style and the nature of modern golf have caught up to him. During the Masters interviews Tiger finally said very explicitly that he had to change his swing because he couldn't physically swing the old way anymore. How did this happen?.
We have Jack Nicklaus to thank for that. No, he didn't hit Tiger in the knees with a baseball bat. What ...
For the rest of the players there are more questions than answers. That seems to be the state of things in professional golf and doesn't look to change for awhile. I'm not sure how many great players there are, but there are a lot of very good players. Looking at the new major, the U.S. Open, who's going to win. I have no idea, but I'd venture there are at least 15 to 20 guys who might win that wouldn't be a surprise to anyone.
Is it me, or do current tournament winners seem to be whoever can hang on not who can mount a charge on Sunday? In the final analysis, too many rich tournament purses may have attracted too many good athletes to the game. Combine that with golf's fickle nature and you get- BORING! In this case, I hope I'm wrong.
I really hope we see more of Tommy TG this year who plays for all of us regular guys and gals whose swings aren't perfect!
The situation doesn't look good for Tiger. Let's still give him until after the Masters to make a definite pronouncement, but can anyone deny that his window of opportunity is closing fast? I just don't see a guy who was so dominant for 10 years be able to muck about for a couple of seasons and then turn it on again. It just doesn't happen that way
For one or two weeks out of the year, it would be alright to play up the fun and camaraderie of the game, yes even the professional game, to remind us that first and foremost golf is about more than what is captured on a scorecard, no matter how good a player you are. Here's to Bob Hope and Bing Crosby and the good golf times they helped create!
Now that the new PGA Tour season is underway there are daily articles about how it might play out. One, almost universal theme, is that the young tour players are not afraid of Tiger Woods. He's so...yesterday!
Good luck to both teams and let's make sure that no one forgets the true spirit of the competition; respecting the game and your opponent. If anyone needs a reminder, just look at the actions of Stuart Payne and Jack Nicklaus in competitions past.
There must be some other players who would bring more competitive punch to the team. Did Rickie make it for the publicity draw, particularly among 20 and 30 somethings?
Looking at tour stats Charlie mostly loses to Stuart except in putts per round and proximity to the hole. For me, the decision comes down to the subjective issues. Charlie is hot, he's never been to the Ryder Cup and I love his 'almost quit golf until this comeback' story. Stuart isn't hot and he's been to the Ryder Cup 4 times.
