Golf Empire

With only two days left until my favorite tournament of the year (well it’s a toss up between the Masters and the US Open) everyone is wondering the big question: will Tiger step up and win his fifth green jacket. Of course this is impossible to know, but here are my three top players who I expect to challenge Tiger this weekend who by the way has been out of competitive golf for five months and hasn’t won at Augusta in five years.

1. Ernie Els. Quite possibly the hottest golfer on tour right now, Els has jumped out to a quick start on the year, winning the WGC-CA Championship at Doral and following that victory up with another at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Both courses are historically two of the most difficult on tour, and to have Ernie playing his best so early is a good sign going into the weekend. Although he has battled injury and inconsistent play in the last couple of years, Els looks healthy and ready to take home the championship. One warning though, Els has never won at Augusta (even though he usually plays well) and his last major victory was back in 2002 at the British Open. However, I still think that Els will continue to ride his hot streak to at least a top 10 finish this weekend.

2. Steve Stricker. Who you may ask? Sticker is the number 2 golfer in the world and has a good chance to win it all this weekend. He may be the best putter on tour, and combined with his consistent play off the tee, makes him a scary opponent to fall behind. Stricker is also coming off his best season ever in 2009 with three wins including one at the Deutsche Bank Championship (held at the TPC Boston!) and one this year at the Northern Trust Open out in California. Steve is looking for his first major so expect him to play with a sense of purpose.

3. Phil Mickelson. After two positive contenders, I want to give credit to one of golf’s most visible names. Although Phil has not played well, especially when he was expected to step up in Tiger’s absense, don’t count Lefty out yet. Who is Rocky without Apollo, the Yankees without the Sox, Batman without Joker? Likewise, Phil needs Tiger to further fuel his drive to win his fourth major and third green jacket. After a difficult 2009, Phil should be able to channel his rivals energy and catapult himself back into the top 5.

That being said, this weekend should prove to be one of the most memorable Masters in recent memory, not only because of the Tiger saga, but also because of the great golf that will be played by many of golf’s brightest stars.

Honarable Mentions: Anthony Kim (won last week at Shell Houston Open and one second place finish), Camilo Villegas (beat Kim for a victory at The Honda Classic), Vaughn Taylor (hometown hero, finished tenth at Master in 2007).

Tomorrow is the Par 3 Challenge, which is quickly becoming a fan favorite event. Hopefully Chris Berman will not be announcing it again this year.

I’ve followed Tiger Woods’ golf career for a long time now and feel he is one of the greatest golfers of all time. Everyone has been talking about his latest scandal and there’s been a lot of speculation on what he’ll do next.  For those of you who are interested, Associated Press has been putting out comprehensive articles on the subject and Tiger. I suggest you look at those articles if you have any questions on the matter. I just hope everything resolves itself for Tiger and his family in privacy.  That’s all I am going to say about this whole matter.

With that said, golf will go on with or without Tiger Woods. There are so many stars in golf such as Phil Mickelson, Tom Watson, Vijay Singh, Anthony Kim, Stewart Cink and more. The game will still have exciting moments and plays. There are also new up and coming stars who will take the place of the older players. Golf will go on. Not only the men’s tour group but the women have a whole slew of exciting players. Some we need to mention are Michelle Wie, Lorena Ochoa and Paula Creamer. There are many more I have not mentioned but all deserve to be on the list of great players.

http://www.optimum.net/News/AP/Article?articleId=652108

TOM WATSON

Sports Illustrated will announce its choice for Sportsman of the Year on December 1, 2009. One of the SI writers thinks Tom Watson deserves this award. Even though Watson was defeated by Stewart Cink in the British Open at Turnberry in a playoff, this writer felt his grit, his spirit and his golf deserves recognition. There’s so many sports figures listed for this title that he’ll probably not get it, but it’s good to know that many people look past just winning and acknowledge good attributes of mankind.

Near the end of the golf season for Apple Ridge Country Club in Mahwah, New Jersey.

Although this weekend may be relatively light, as most pros take the week off after the PGA Championship, next weekend looks to be more exciting that ever before. In 2007 The Barclays was moved from June to the slot it current holds to make way for golf’s new FedEx Cup, which this tournament is the first event of. The FedEx Cup can be compared to the playoffs is other sports but is most similar to the NASCAR points race. The Barclays took over sponsorship from the old Westchester Classic, yet the sponsors intend to keep the event in the New York/New Jersey area to continue tradition. Last year it was held at the Ridgewood Country Club in Ridgewood, NJ and this year the tournament moves south down the Jersey Turnpike to Liberty National in Jersey City.

There has been some big news as of late, though. For the first time in the FedEx Cup’s existence, Tiger Woods will attend and play. Previous years Tiger has either refused to play, or was injured and unable to play. This is actually Tiger’s first non-major tournament in the New York area since the 2003 Buick Classic at Westchester CC. This is a great move for Tiger to help endorse golf’s playoff system, which still needs some work as was proof in 2007 (Tiger Woods skipped the first two events and still won the FedEx Cup by winning the last two, proving that the first two were unnecessary). Now that Tiger has not won any majors, he looks as if he is out to prove his number one ranking.