On to the Next One

Rory McIlroy's well publicized break up with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki was followed by rapid improvement and success in McIlroy's golf game. On Sunday, McIlroy won the PGA Championship, his second consecutive major tournament and fourth in his career. He has been quoted as saying that his golf game improved after the split because he could focus more on his game. Wozniacki is the subject of today's Chick Pic.

I guess Wozniacki, right, and Serena Williams, left, put their little beef behind them. And in Serena's case, it's way...waaaay behind her. 1

That's how great it is to be Rory. He can kick her to the curb! 2

Giggity.... 3

Kim Clijsters (right) giggity.... 4

I don't even recognize her as an underwear model (but I'd like to get familiar! ZING...!). 5

Looks great in a dress.... 6

Looks great sitting down in one, too.... 7

Rory is taking the whole situation in stride. 8

1) Image from www.celebmafia.com
2) Image from www.fanshare.com
3, 4) Images from www.zimbio.com
5) Image from www.mirror.co.uk
6) Image from www.redandwhitekop.com
7) Image from www.tattoodonkey.com
8) Image from www.toledoohiogolflessons.com

Wide Lefty

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Rory McIlroy won the 2014 PGA Championship at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, shooting a 68 on Sunday to finish 16 under par. McIlroy finished one stroke ahead of Phil Mickelson and two strokes over Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson in a highly competitive major tournament, the last of 2014. McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, won his fourth career major tournament. McIlroy made his final two puts to seal the win in near darkness, due to a near two hour weather delay yesterday.


CLOSE BUT NO LEFTY CIGARS

Phil Mickelson narrowly missed big shot after big shot that could have potentially shaved that once stroke differential off of ol' Lefty's score, including a 25 foot putt for eagle on the 7th hole that missed by inches. Rickie Weeks narrowly missed a putt on the final hole that would have tied him with Mickelson. The fourth round of the PGA Championship was a contest of inches. Golf fastest rising superstar, had the inches on his side. I can only imagine that Mickelson spent much of yesterday evening kicking himself after being so close but so far away so many times in the final round.

It was that kind of day for Lefty. 3

IT'S RORY'S WORLD. YOU'RE JUST PLAYING THROUGH IT

Last month, I suggested that, notwithstanding McIlroy's rise to the undisputed ranks of golf's elite, neither he nor anyone would go on a tear the likes of Tiger Woods at the turn of the century (Woods missed the weekend cut after finishing six over after the first two rounds). While I stand by that hypothesis, a year in 2015 like his year in 2014 could cause me to question that assertion. Move over, Tiger, now there's something Rory-er.

This photo isn't from Sunday, but the picture says a thousand words about the juxtaposition of the careers of McIlroy, left, and Woods, right, right now. 1

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1) Image from http://www.telegraph.co.uk
2) Image from www.bleacherreport.com
3) Image from www.gazettenet.com

Rory McIlroy Is The Next Superstar

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Twenty-five year old golfer Rory McIlroy led the 2014 British Open from wire-to-wire, finishing 17 under par for the tournament by shooting a 71 on Sunday. McIlroy has won his third Major tournament in golf’s Grand Slam in four years. A Masters green jacket will complete the collection.

The Northern Ireland gold prodigy burst on to the scene three years ago with a victory in the U.S. Open. A PGA Championship victory in 2012 resulted in comparisons to golf’s biggest and most recognizable superstar, Tiger Woods, currently ranked #9 in the world. Rory is unquestionable one of golf’s “Big Three” along with Woods and Phil Mickelson.

While McIlroy (or anyone else) will likely never, ever experience a tear like Woods did from the late 1990s through the late 2000s, his dominating win on Sunday confirmed that he is the next young superstar in a golfing world that has been starving for one since Woods personal and professional lives began to decline in 2009. The irony is that while Tiger is past his peak, he is far from done. On the back end of his prime, perhaps approaching his twilight as a top ranked player, Woods is emerging into a rival-mentor of McIlroy.

After getting off to a promising start, Woods showed that he is far from "back". Ahead of schedule, perhaps...not "back". 2

Woods recorded more wins in 2013 than any other golfer on the PGA Tour and was ranked #1 before undergoing back surgery and being absent from the Tour until earlier last month. After shooting an impressive 69 on Thursday in the Open Championship, Woods had faded to the back of the pack by Friday. The road to recovery from major surgery is long. But as long a Woods continues to recover, the emergence of McIlroy offers the potential for many compelling golf narratives in the coming years.

One conclusion is clear to me. McIlroy is at the top of golf’s summit in rare company. The game is much more interesting when he, Woods, Mickelson, or one of a few recognizable people are winning. In the golfing world, for the time being, Rory is the story.

There is more to come with Rory, left, and Tiger, right. 3

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1) Image from http://bbc.co.uk

2) Image from www.freep.com

3) Image from www.news.com.au

Retweet of the Day - May 28, 2014

Caroline Wozniacki has had, by her own words, “a hard time” lately. First the #14 WTA ranked Danish tennis star was dumped by her then-fiancée, golfer Rory McIlroy. Perhaps McIlroy saw tennis rackets being hurled at him on Thanksgiving’s eve in his future and learned from the mistakes of other golfing superstars.

Then again, in the words of golf analyst David Fehrety, “He has a face like a half-chewed caramel.” I don’t see how he expected to do any better than the athletic, endowed, and pretty 23-year-old Wozniacki. That considered, the blow must be even harder for Wozniacki.

Making matters worse, Wozniacki was bounced in the first round of the 2014 French Open by 64^th ranked Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium. Throwing more salt in the wound, McIlroy appears to be coasting along on the course. McIlroy completed an improbable comeback to win the BMW PGA Championship tour this past weekend. Clearly he’s handling the split in stride.

Today’s retweet, from Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) boils all of the above into 140 characters or less:

“Poor Caroline Wozniacki. 1) Dumped by Rory McIlroy. 2) Watches him win w/out her. 3) Booted in 1st round of French.”

McIlroy, right, dumped Wozniacki, far left. Seriously? I know championship athletes have to be confident, but that is bordering on "overconfidence".

Image from www.politiken.dk

Bubbalicious

Bubba Watson, 35, won his second Masters tournament in three years. The American golfer has always been among the better known participants on the PGA Tour. Sports enthusiasts who watch the occasional major or flip the tube on when Tiger Woods is in the running have heard his name and probably know that he is pretty good. Sunday catapulted Watson into golf’s unquestionably elite.

As usual, Rickie Fowler (above) injected some style into the Masters. He finished 5th. 4

ABOVE THE RADAR

When Watson won the 2012 Masters, the common media narrative treated Waston as a bit of a late-blooming underdog. Watson has talent. Watson can compete.

But Bubba is not Tiger; just wait until Tiger gets back on his horse (Tiger Woods finished 4^th in the 2011 Masters). Bubba is not Phil Mickelson, an established repeat champion. Bubba is not Rory McIlroy; he’s on the wrong side of age 30. Watson’s 2012 Master’s win was a great golf feel good story, but don’t expect to see Watson’s name dominating the gold headlines in the coming years.

Yesterday eliminated any remnant of the “aw shucks”, quirky, good but not great image of Bubba Watson, currently ranked #2 in the world. From his left handed swing to hitting balls through trees and onto the green like a nine cushion billiards shot to his humble emotions exhibited after a win, Watson is a brand. He is known. He is a the top of the PGA Tour’s marquee.

Not an expression often used with golf, but Watson's trick shot on the 15th hole was "gangsta"! 3

THE BIG FOUR – FIVE? SIX?

Throughout the 2000s, the phrases “golf” and “Tiger Woods” have been almost synonymous among even the most casual of sports observers. While Woods is no longer the seemingly invincible force he was in his 20s and early 30s, he is still, indisputably, the premiere name (and premiere draw) in professional golf.

However, Tiger’s coattails have benefits. Phil Mickelson’s brand has benefited from sparring with Tiger on the Tour over the years. Young Rory McIlroy is positioning himself to be the next young, dominant golf prodigy in the coming years. With yesterday’s win, I think it would be difficult to argue that Watson is not among golf’s “Big Four”.

On the rise are stand outs like the (literally) colorful Rickie Fowler, age 25 (who finished 5^th yesterday), and 20 year old Jordan Spieth, finishing 2^nd. Spieth mounted a challenge in the fourth round to possibly become the youngest, ever Masters winner.

Runner up Jordan Spieth (left), 20, and 2014 Masters champion Watson (right), 35. 2

THE TOUR IS ON!

Every year, the Masters seems to give us a good story. Good golf stories are great for the game of golf. With the possibility that Tiger Woods may not compete on the Tour this year, rehabbing from back surgery, the rise of stars like Watson, McIlroy and others could not come at a better time for the PGA.

Assuming Woods’ health allows him to be competitive upon his return and assuming the profiles of players like Spieth and Fowler continue to rise, golf can expect to transform from the (seemingly) one man show it was in the 2000s to a series of rivalries in the 2010s. In major competition, Bubba Watson has drawn first blood.

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Roaring McIlroy

I was convinced that the PGA Championship would be the tournament in which Tiger Woods would break out of his major tournament slump. Being “a little wrong” is like being “a little pregnant”, but I was a little wrong. If you pluck those two guys from the United Kindom, Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, from the leaderboard, two guys who simply caught fire on Friday and Sunday, Woods, the #1 ranked golder in the world and current FexEx cup points leader, was right there at the top.

Of course, if “if” were a fifth, we would all be drunk for free every day. Woods' game is back. He is at the top of the list for tournament wins in 2012. He WILL win another major; frankly, I think he is overdue. But this past weekend belonged to the Crown and to the young gun.

McIlroy is all smiles with good cause. 1

RIVAL?

Let’s be clear. There may never be another Tiger Woods. His run of dominance between 1997 and 2008 was unprecedented – not by the Golden Bear, not by Slammin’ Sammy, not by Lord Byron, not by the Black Knight, not by Ben Hogan, not by anybody – and in all probability will never be duplicated. Rory McIlroy will not be the next Tiger Woods. He appears, however, to be the next golfing megastar.

What makes McIlroy’s ascension fascinating is that it coincides with a Tiger Woods who is not in his peak, but is still (in the words of New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan), “Pretty f____n’ good!” These two have yet to be locked in any major tournament dog fight, but it is only a matter of time. Television golf ratings have lived and died with Woods for the past 15 years. However, it is becoming harder to ignore the McIlroy factor. He’s young, he’s good, and his name is the only one that can be mentioned in the same discussion as Woods’ name without forcing the issue.

Phil “Lefty” Mickelson? A good antagonist to Woods (or vice versa), but a step behind Tiger in the grand golfing scheme. Ricky Weeks? Hey, who doesn’t like a good Southern boy with bright, gaudy outfits? Not even worthy of being in the Woods discussion…. Adam Scott? Call me crazy, but the new boyfriend for the girl who got dumped (i.e. longtime Woods and current Scott caddie Stevie Williams) is only interesting if he ends up being an improvement. That went up in smoke at The Open Championship.

Tiger: "I'll see you next year." 2

NEXT YEAR

The 2012 PGA major season is over. Woods, again, came up empty handed, with no trophies from any of the big four. However, it is clear that his game is back, it is competitive, and it is a threat to all contenders. Personally, I am looking forward to the slate of 2013 majors. I think Tiger will really be “back”. And when Woods is “back”, golf is “back”.

Until then, to Rory go the spoils. At age 23, he now has two major tournament victories under his belt, having won the 2011 U.S. Open.  His brand will continue to rise rapidly. The sporting world cannot wait, however, to see McIlroy stare into the eye of the Tiger.

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1,2) Images from http://telegraph.co.uk

No Ordinary Bubba

Tiger Woods…Rory McIlroy…old “Lefty”: Phil Mickelson…these were the headline players heading into the 2012 Masters at Augusta, Georgia. By Sunday, only Lefty was in contention. Lefty: meet the fourth hole (and the triple bogey you racked up on it).

In the words of actor Bill Duke in "Menace II Society": "Now...see there, Phil...you know you done f____d up!" 3 

CBS: “UH OH!”

T.V. executives and advertisers had cause for concern, if not panic. Golf is not a team sport. Individual sports live and die on the personalities and popularity of the players involved. After Mickelson’s minor melt down. The players within striking distance included South African Louis Oothsuizen, Swede Peter Hanson, and Englishman Lee Westwood. All of whom were foreign; all but Westwood were relatively unknown. There was one American near the front of the pack: Bubba Watson.

Here's a Tiger Woods highlight: kicking his club like a ten years old after a bad tee shot. Has Tiger lost his damn MIND? 5

RETURN OF THE STARS AND STRIPES

Golf’s television ratings are predictable. I have not looked at any of the overnight ratings, but I am quite confident that there was a dip in projected viewership after it became clear, on Friday, that Woods and McIlroy’s chances of victory were just north of the Titanic’s chances of remaining afloat 100 years ago. I would be stunned if the ratings did not drop after Mickelson’s fourth hole in the final round on Sunday.

Those who did stick around were in for a treat. Lefty scratched and clawed his way back into the tournament and had a slim, but measurable shot at winning the Masters until his hopes evaporated by missing a birdie put on the 17th hole. Oosthuizen would make an extremely rare double-eagle shot, catapulting him to the front of the pack. But it was Bubba Watson, the 33 year old University of Georgia southpaw who would birdie four consecutive holes to tie Oothsuizen and force a sudden death playoff.

After a nearly disastrous tee shot in the second hole of the playoff, Watson would nail the mother of all miraculous shots, in between a gauntlet of trees in the rough, and set himself up for his eventual win. It was Watson’s first ever major tournament victory.

There have only been four double-eagles in the history of the Masters Tournament, established in 1934. 4

WHO IS THIS BUBBA?

If you are a casual fan of golf, you have probably heard Bubba Waston’s name. Unless you are a hard core golf enthusiast, you probably couldn’t pick Watson out of a lineup. You certainly wouldn’t recognize him if you passed him in the street. Watson’s major career can be described as “Close but no cigar,” as Watson has been in the hunt in the final rounds of majors in the past, but never won. On Sunday, Watson won the stocked walk in humidor of cigars by taking home the green jacket.

Watson’s story is an interesting one. First of all, the heartfelt emotion he displayed after the long awaited major victory rivaled that of former NFL coach, and renowned man-crier, Dick Vermiel. Watson is also a new father, having recently adopted a son. Most fascinating, Watson reportedly has not taken a formal golf lesson since he was 10 and does not employ a swing coach.

Vermeil wrote the manual on post victory waterworks. 2

NEW STAR?

Watson’s story has some compelling appeal. He seems to be a likable guy. In some ways, the common man can empathize with him: reaching for a goal, a dream, for years, coming close multiple times, and finally reaching that goal, the apex of his professional career thus far.

Time will tell if the golfing world has an emerging star or if Watson simply had his 15 minutes at golf’s mountaintop. Tiger Woods’ personal challenges and declining play over the last several years have left a void of star power in the golf world. Let me be clear: the only way that void will ever come close to being filled is if Tiger starts winning majors again. Golf has never seen anything like Tiger Woods in his prime and I doubt the coming decades will produce anything quite like the transcendent dominance we witnessed in the late 1990s and the 2000s.

Still, that does not mean that the sport can not produce interesting and compelling stars. Phil Mickelson, in spite of being in his mid-40s, still appears to be at the top of his game and, in spite of his advanced age (by athletic standards) offers a glimmer of hope that Tiger can climb back tot the top of the world golf rankings and inject some energy back into the sport. Rory McIlroy is a young, budding star who will garner attention when he is playing well.

Bubba Watson? Time will tell. If he turned a corner in his career, golf may have another developing player asset. If Watson simply broke through a barrier and has peeked, he still gave the PGA a good story and etched himself in Masters history.

Bubba embraces Mom. 1

1) Image from www.golfweek.com
2) Image from www.bleacherreport.com
3) Image from www.sports-enews.com
4) Image from http://sports.espn.go.com
5) Image from www.usatoday.com

Back to Life?

Dear PGA Tour Field:
UH OH!
Regards,
Tiger Woods’ alarm clock


IS HE BACK?

Never awaken a sleeping, man-eating Tiger. Many people in sports media have spent the last two years dancing on Tiger Woods’ grave. Many sports fans began to write Tiger off. Jack Nicklaus began sleeping comfortably, assured his record of 18 major tournament victories was once again safe.

Many people formerly in Woods circle began to burn their bridges and cash in on their relationships with Woods by writing tell-all books and throwing Woods under the bus for their own self-promotion, assuming there was limited upside remaining from being on Woods’ good side. Many golfers let go of the sense of fear and intimidation that Woods’ put into his opponents for more than 10 years. Many up and comers, such as Rory McIlroy, perhaps saw a window of opportunity to ascend to the throne of golfing superstars while veterans, such as Phil Mickelson, may have seen an opportunity to sit in the throne momentarily.

Not so fast my friend! 1

UH OH!

Tiger Woods’ prospects at future golf dominance may have been left for dead. Then, in January, Woods placed third at Abu Dubai (a non-PGA event) in January. (UH OH!)

Woods then placed 15th at Pebble Beach, followed by a 17th place showing in the Accenture Match Play Championship, both in February. (Whew….)

In March, Woods finished second in the Honda Classic. (UH OH!) Only to have to withdraw from the WGC Cadillac Championship due to injury a week later. (Whew….)

Yesterday, Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his first PGA Tour event win in over two years. UH OHHHHHH!

UH OH! 2

TUNE UP FOR AUGUSTA

Tiger Woods appears to be getting his mojo back at the right time, before the PGA’s first major tournament of the year. Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, and any dark horse who aspires to win the prized green jacket will now have to contend with the renewed confidence of Tiger Woods. Woods has a long way to go before returning to the dominant status he enjoyed throughout the 2000s. He has an even longer way to go before reaching Nicklaus’ record.

But the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. The road back to the top for Tiger started with a PGA win. Other golfers on the PGA Tour? Come on…you can say it in unison, guys! “UH OH!!!”

McIlroy: You're back?
Woods: Yep
McIlroy: Uh oh.... 3

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Rising Star

April 13, 1997 – 21 year old Tiger Woods won the Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Leading by 9 strokes heading into the final round, Woods expanded his massive lead and won the tournament by 12 strokes ahead of veteran Tom Kite, an astonishing 18 under par.

Tiger with a full head of hair at the 1997 Masters. That was a L..O..N..G time ago! 1

April 10, 2011 – 21 year old Rory McIlroy holds a four stroke lead, at 12 under par, heading into the final round of the Masters. McIlroy would suffer an epic and historic collapse in the final round, shooting 80 and finishing in 15th place. Comparisons were drawn by sports journalists to Greg Norman, who lost a six stroke lead in the final round of the 1996 Masters, not Woods.

June 19, 2011 – 22 year old Rory McIlroy roared to a massive eight stroke lead at a record 14 under par after three rounds. Rory was the story. There were multiple recurring themes in the sports media throughout the day:

1) Would McIlroy win his first, ever, major tournament or would he have a repeat of his Masters meltdown?
2) Is McIlroy the next Tiger Woods?
3) Does he have to potential to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 career majors victories?


RORY'S THE STORY
As you have probably heard, repeatedly, Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open in record fashion, finishing eight strokes ahead of Jason Day at a record 16 under par. This is a defining moment in the young man’s golfing career. His enthusiasm, visible confidence, and strut on the golf course drew comparison after comparison to Tiger Woods during the course of the tournament. His aggressive, powerful swing and absolute domination of the field made him the only headline and turned the tournament at Bethesda, Maryland into a contest for the consolation prize of second place for all of the other competitors in the tournament.

Rory McIlroy enjoyed the sweet kiss of victory in his first major tournament. 2

While McIlroy is only at the beginning of his professional golfing journey, yesterday represented what may have been a significant fork in the road. A win, as expected after Saturday’s third round, placed McIlroy on a road to golfing stardom, very similarly to the road traveled by Woods in the late 1990s. Another epic meltdown would likely have resulted in endless questions ensuing about McIlroy’s ability to join the golfing elite. For every comparison of McIlroy to Woods and Nicklaus, I heard as many comparisons to Greg Norman and 2 time NBA Finals runner up LeBron James, another young superstar athlete who, like McIlroy, has come close to reaching the top of the mountain in his sport, but fell short.

It is my sincere hope that Tiger Woods’ rehabilitation from knee and ankle ailments have been successful and he will be a viable competitor in the British Open in 3 weeks. Since Woods’ string of injuries and personal challenges, dating back to 2008, the golfing world has been in desperate need for an attention grabbing story. Sports talk host Colin Cowherd said, on his show, something to the effect of golf is just golf without Tiger Woods, but when Woods is playing and competitive, “It’s like a SPORT!” With Woods and McIlroy in the British Open field, golf could be an EVENT!

Regardless of Woods' health or participation in the British Open, golf has a badly needed and long coveted asset: another marketable star who can draw the attention of the casual golf fan. Time will tell how successful McIlroy’s career will be. After this past weekend, however, McIlroy rose to the level of the stars, and his star is rising quickly.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy: Get ready to hear both of those names, at the same time, a lot, going forward. 3

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