No longer ‘The Year of the Tiger’
Jun 21
With the complete dominance displayed by Rory McIlroy at the U.S. Open this past weekend, there now shines a light through Tiger’s overwhelming shadow and may bring a brighter future for the sport of Golf.
It is no secret that Tiger did for Golf, what Jordan did for Basketball or maybe better what Gretzky did for Hockey. He made it more than the game, a task very few have been credited with. Now, I am not avid Golf spectator. I play it sparingly and would rather play it then watch it. However, when Tiger came on to the scene with such dominance, determination and confidence, it was difficult not to watch. We love to witness greatness. Before Tiger there was Nicklaus who had not won a major since 1986. I am sorry but that is a generation ago, Golf needed a new face.
Unfortunately, the limelight for athletes today is much brighter and continues to threaten the longevity of a superstar’s career. With Tiger’s falling out and possible demise, the people require a replacement to fulfill their passion for the sport. This isn’t horse racing, people care who wins, they want someone to root for and share their victories and defeats. Luckily for Golf, Rory McIlroy may be there filler. Now, this may be premature but this kid has the traits necessary to clog the void in the people’s golf-loving hearts. First, skill, this is clearly the most important and Rory has proven it at 22 with a near win at the Masters and his first major this past weekend at the U.S. Open. Second, youth, nobody is impressed with a 20 year veteran that all of a sudden win 3 majors in a row. They like the unknown, unwanted new kid who strolls into town and destroys the weathered competition. Lastly, the fire, Rory showed the will to not just win the Open but to annihilate the field while breaking several major records in the process. He is out to change the game and hopefully shake up some of those old bags who run it. We need to get off Tiger and start riding Rory, he is the future and Tiger wants back in…he is going to have to win it back. Congrats to Rory McIlroy, we are rooting for an ass load more major for you, knock ‘em dead.
The US Open is Supposed to be Hard
Jun 19
Tell that to 21yr old Rory McIlroy. After 36 holes Rory has done something never achieved by Jack, Arnold, and Tiger. His scorecard reading at -14 is the lowest score ever after 3 rounds in a U.S. Open. This is supposed to be a tournament where the players struggle to break par and -6 would be a championship caliber score. However dont tell that to McIlroy who is on a tear unlike ever seen before. Yes, he did lose a day-4 lead in the Masters but his lead this weekend is DOUBLE of that which he let flounder away at Augusta. The only way Rory loses this Major is if he comes back to the field, an epic collapse that would make Greg Norman cringe. An 8-shot lead in any tournament, let alone the Open, is a juggernaut of a mountain for even the savviest golf pro to climb. I expect Rory to continue to p[ull away and win by more than 10 strokes. If that happens, I believe it will trump any dominating win Tiger has ever had and cement Rory as the best golfer in the game.