Golf For The Soul

Revolution is not a word commonly associated with golf.

But try not to associate 'revolution' with America in 1776, the storming of the Bastille in Paris, or Berkeley in the 60s.

Instead, think of it with regard to questioning established beliefs, exploring new ideas, and radical change.

Q.E.B. (Questioning Established Beliefs) : Tiger Woods' domination of golf has subsided.

With his crystallized image cracked, the culprit may be the media or Woods' injuries. But perhaps his departure from the spotlight illuminates that no matter how big his muscles, or how flawless his mechanics, golf is a mental game.

E.N.I. (Exploring New Ideas): In the last six events both Phil Mickleson and Tiger Woods have competed, Mickleson has beaten Woods every time.

Just the thought of capturing the elusive No.1 World Golf Ranking sends Mickleson into instant salivation. But Lefty has established an incredible rhythm on the golf course this season, blending his extreme power with his exceptional touch.

Could a win at the US Open make Mickleson the new face of golf?

R.C. (Radical Change): The 2010 PGA Tour season has had 10 champions under the age of 30.

Even Justin Rose, who is 29, looked like an aged veteran next to 21-year old sensation Rickie Fowler (who has been called a Justin Bieber, 16, look-alike) at the Memorial last Sunday.

Young players are contending in every event because they are not afraid; they're not afraid of Tiger's intimidating presence, Phil's gargantuan length, Rory Sabbatini's scowl, and most importantly—they're not afraid of losing because it's a lesson in stride towards victory.

What's undeniable: golf in 2010 has been propelled by new power, fresh hope, and a developing, radical perspective of the world of golf.

Tiger's Army

Tiger Woods may not maintain his No.1 ranking, but he remains the No.1 reason for this explosion of talented youth upon the world golf scene.

Think about your idols. Woods was the ultimate emblem of fortitude, persistence, and an unwavering focus from the only thing that mattered—winning.

He was inspiring.

Crushing the field by 12 strokes at the Masters in 1997, the Tiger-Slam in 2001, his unforgettable chip-in at No. 16 at the Masters in 2005, forcing the playoff against Rocco Mediate at the US Open in 2008; the list appears endless.

Tiger's unequaled accomplishments galvanized youth to compete as he constantly did. Anthony Kim was the first of Tiger's Army to prove he was not just a promising student, but a tireless competitor with a vision of glory.

Kim has remained a force to be reckoned with on Tour, and welcomed other young phenoms like Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Ryo Ishikawa, Rickie Fowler and a slew of gifted 20-somethings to the big stage.

More Reasons Golf Has Never Been This Good

-Tim Finchem is about to turn his plea into policy.

After constantly encouraging PGA pros to participate in more events (such as the Shell Houston Open or St. Jude Classic), and not just the mainstream tournaments (Colonial and Memorial) it appears the PGA Tour commissioner is about to inflict new, sweeping rules about tournament entrance.

No longer will players simply choose when and where they'd like to play. Instead, there will be more consistent competition among all players, including the entitled top-50, in a wide variety of tracks.

-Have you forgotten already? Golf is going to be part of the 2016 Olympics.

This means golf is not only on the map, but has spread and continues to unfurl to the farthest reaches of the world.

This is no Ryder Cup or Major.

It's an internationally recognized competition and golf has earned it's way.

Golf fans should be ecstatic about this, the reawakened rivalry between Woods and Mickleson, and the countless possibilities the young stars will contribute to professional golf.

The blinding orange clothing of a 21-year-old hot-shot.

The firmly concentrated gaze of an overdue Brit.

A slew of the most talented golfers in the world competing on a brutally arduous course.

When was the last time that Sunday on the PGA Tour was this riveting?

The Memorial Tournament did more than just challenge the elite "golf ball whacker" guys in the world, but it revealed the grit and intensity involved in 18 holes of competitive golf.

Ten players under the age of 30 have won in the 2010 PGA Tour season. In line with that statistic, the Memorial also unveiled the marvelous play of youngsters like Rickie Fowler, 21, and the tournament winner Justin Rose, 29.

Though every round will have its blemish, only Rose was able to minimize his mistakes, while hitting dazzling shots, earning him his first PGA Tour victory.

Justin Rose: Simply Solid
On Sunday, Rose was not the young gun contending against veterans. Instead, Fowler's youth highlighted Rose's experience and, like a champion should, Rose, well, rose to the occasion.

It wasn't just one component of Rose's Memorial rounds that launched him to the top of the leaderboard, but a truly rhythmic blend of his pre-shot routine, vision, strategy and control of the golf ball.

In various interviews Rose explained how as a youngster he had learned the hard way what it was like to have a lead and lose it on Sunday down the stretch, or how to play fabulous golf -- but not fully show it.

This week he not only played great golf, but he closed in style.

Sunday, Rose produced a flawless, bogey-free round of six-under, 66, and earned his first, very overdue, victory on the PGA Tour.

If he can bring this kind of incredibly consistent, powerful play to Pebble Beach, he will definitely be contending on Sunday at the U.S. Open.

Rickie Fowler: Fast, Flamboyant And Phenomenal
I don't think Fowler's nerves got to him. I don't think he was over-hyped or over-publicized.

I just think Rose played better Sunday.

Fowler will continue to play with his swift, aggressive attitude and will undoubtedly spend many more Sundays in the final group.

Also, aspiring golfers should emulate the consistent play of Rickie, who was in the top 10 this week in three crucial stats -- fairways hit, greens in regulation and 53 holes without a bogey.

Tiger Woods: Indifferent And Uninspiring
Not once in Tiger's final round did he show even a glimpse of desire to be playing golf.

Though he shot a respectable round of even-par, 72, and finished T17 at -6, Tiger, who emanated indifference, was as uninspiring as ever.

Smiles have always been rare for Tiger when on the golf course. His stern demeanor and unwavering focus are often what he relies on to dig deep within himself to recover from poor tee shots, lip-out putts or simply bad luck.

As a fan strolling along the ropes or a viewer on the edge of their seat at home, I think we were all hoping for the miraculous out of Tiger; some semblance of his glory.

Not Sunday, and definitely nowhere throughout this tournament.

His driver was, to be polite, off. His approach shots were affected by poor accuracy off the tee, and consequently, his rounds were littered with par saves, instead of birdie opportunities.

Tiger knows better than anyone -- dare I say even the Golden Bear -- how to win a golf tournament.

However, this year's Memorial conveyed a Tiger that was nowhere near the motivated, focused battler that redefined the game of golf.

Phil Mickleson: Fearless But Unlucky
After a gorgeous chip-in on No. 14, it seemed like the momentum was on Lefty's side.

But a wayward drive -- and I mean over a plethora of trees, a creek and probably a hole or two -- Mickleson found his ball lying still on a firm, black, cart path.

In classic Phil fashion, he stood behind the ball, staring at his path over trees and through branches, while discussing the strategy with his caddy.

Then I realized, cart path or not, he was going to take this shot.

Sure enough, with some kind of wood in hand, Mickleson pounded the ball off the rigid, dark pavement and watched it soar through the air.

Mickleson is a gunner: fearless, imaginative and out to win.

He's been known to get overly aggressive, which often costs him strokes, but let me be the first to say it's nice to see a player unafraid of making mistakes.

Whereas Tiger looked like he just wanted to get done with his round as fast as possible, often yelling at the ball when it went awry, Mickleson was thinking out shots, giving little kids high-fives and smiling with a tip of the cap every time he putted out.

Phil is absolutely pounding the ball, hitting his 9-iron from 175 yards and pummeling his drives more than 320 yards multiple times throughout the week.

What separated Phil from holding the trophy Sunday was his short game, namely his putting. He had a multitude of chances inside six to 10 feet for birdies, but they would tragically sit on the lip or just roll by, causing a deep, guttural sigh from the throngs of people following the Masters Champion.

He can and hopefully will play exceptional golf in two weeks at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. If he can maintain his length, while tightening the screws on his shorter putts, Lefty will be unbeatable.

Bo Van Pelt: Consistent And A New Threat
Let go of your reservations, cease to doubt, and just give in.

Bo Van Pelt is playing remarkable golf this season.

Check out these stats:

- T3 at Memorial (rounds of 70, 69, 68, 69)
- Ranked third in Greens in Regulation Percentage (70.98)
- Ranked fifth in Birdies per round (4.14)
- Ranked 10th in Scoring Average (70.16)
- First in Top Ten Finishes (5)

Bo has proven he can compete with the best, but now it's just a matter of time before he breaks through and holds the trophy on Sunday.

Ricky Barnes: Talented But Erratic
The talent is there -- there's no doubt about it.

His 10-under par, 62, on Saturday, let alone his first two rounds, was brilliant.

However, Barnes will never be the player you want to put your money on until he can officially finish strong down the stretch.

Sunday, Barnes' round was plagued by nothing other than his nerves. His one-over par round of 73 was a valiant effort, but totally ebb and flow. Two double bogeys, one bogey, two birdies and one eagle—not exactly the blueprint for success.

With the game on the line, Barnes' tendency is to let his upper body lean forward at the top of his swing, ultimately sending his club a bit over the top and producing errant shots.

Overall, he has had a wonderful season, highlighted by five top-10 finishes, representing an overall improvement in his consistency.

Dark Horse U.S. Open Pick: Sean O'Hair
The 2010 Pebble Beach winner will need two characteristics above all others:

First, confidence over every shot from tee to green. Whether standing at the edge of a cliff for a tee shot or hunched over a putt with the sounds of waves crashing in the background, sustained focus is key at Pebble Beach.

Second, this course will present the overwhelming task of being decisive and clever off the tee. Knowing when to pull the driver versus some kind of long iron or hybrid could be the key distinction between first and secnd place at the Open.

I am taking Sean O'Hair in my U.S. Open pool because he doesn't just have a steady head on his shoulders, but his stellar play at the Memorial only strengthened his already sterling reputation as a competitor and template of consistency.

O'Hair not only has the length off the tee to capitalize at Pebble, but also the know-how to choose wisely when to pull the "Big Dog" and when to play it safe. Also, his putting has improved a great deal, which will be a pivotal factor on the lightning fast greens at the U.S. Open.

Tiger Woods' neck is still in pain. Phil Mickleson's putter is still streaky. Justin Rose is still searching/praying for a victory.

But Rickie Fowler -- well he's just chillin' at the top of the leaderboard.

After two highly competitive rounds of play at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Course in Dublin, Ohio, 21-year-old Rickie Fowler leads the event after two brilliant rounds of 65-66 for a record-tying 13-under par score through 36 holes.

Maybe it's the vigor of finally being legally of age that has Fowler pulling off trick shots and draining putts. Or perhaps it's the spectacular conditions of the golf course, which was designed by the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus, with a constant, watchful eye.

Fowler's game has been compared to Lanny Watkins, a fast, loose, and aggressive player.

PGA Tour announcers Kelly Tilghman and Nick Faldo called his last two rounds the ultimate symbol of "youthful confidence."

Call it what you want, but I'll just say this -- Fowler is the real deal.

Fowler's 2010 PGA Tour Stats: Better Than Good
- Finished outside of the top 50 just once all season, at the Shell Houston Open.

- Ranked 5th in Top-10 finishes (4 total): T8 at the Verizon Heritage (low round: 67 on Sunday), 6th at the Quail Hollow Championship (low round: 67 on Sunday), T5 at the Farmers Insurance Open (low round: 67 on Thursday), 2nd at the Waste Management Phoenix Open (low round: 65 on Thursday).

- Ranked 15th in Total Driving; a combination of his average driving distance (293 yards) with his Driving Accuracy (61 percent).

- Seventh in Fairway Proximity (The average distance remaining to the hole for all approach shots hit from the fairway, or the tee box on a par 3).

- Scoring Average: 70.92 (Ranked 81st)

What Does It All Mean?
The stats Fowler has accumulated over the span of this season are nothing short of incredible for a rookie on Tour, let alone someone who no longer has to ask for his Pina Colada to be 'virgin.'

Rickie's four top-10 finishes -- undeniably his most imposing stat -- illuminate his dedication to consistency and places him in the company of major winners like Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, who have five Top 10's.

Reminiscent of a young Tiger Woods, Fowler has a stern, concentrated gaze on the golf course, paired with a sheer cut-throat and relentless attitude.

With two rounds in the history books, Fowler is not only three shots clear of his closest competitor, Justin Rose (10-under par), but he is also ten shots in front of Woods and eight shots in front of Mickleson.

This doesn't mean Fowler is a better player than Tiger or Phil -- but it sure means he can keep up with them.

Rickie Fowler is a pioneer in a youth movement galvanizing the world of golf.

Guys like Ryo Ishikawa, 18, Rory McIlroy, 21, Michael Sim, 25, and Dustin Johnson, 25, let alone the prodigal 16-year-old Jordan Spieth who came out of the woodwork at the HP Byron Nelson, are redesigning and revamping the face of the PGA Tour.

U.S. Open Pick? Not a Bad Idea
Not only is Fowler a California kid, which will undoubtedly give him a leg up on the competition and Pebble Beach layout, but he finished T27th at the AT&T National Pro-Am held at Pebble in February.

In that event, Rickie captured a few key stats that could make him a great fantasy pick or choice for your local U.S. Open pool.

- He tied for first with the most pars, accumulating 55 in his four rounds.

- He was No. 22 in Driving Distance; length is crucial in the windy, sloped conditions of Pebble.

- He tied for eighth in Greens in Regulation, meaning he was constantly putting himself in position to make birdies and rarely getting into trouble.

- On a course littered with sand traps, Fowler tied for 19th in sand saves.

On Wednesday night, a multitude of TV executives and PGA Tour sponsors were in a state of panic. In the morning, the dewy, verdant fairways of TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas, would play host to the HP Byron Nelson Championship, but there was an ominous, palpable void plaguing the minds of the big-whigs -- none of the top 10 ranked players in the world would be competing this week.

After watching the first round of play, I don't miss the top ten; I don't miss Tiger throwing clubs, Mickleson smiling like a big dog strolling across the fairway, or Jim Furyk's misshapen swing.

Just like on the golf course when a 50-foot lag putt incredulously rolls in, or you march up to the elevated, viridescent green to find your ball just inches from the cup--I too was delightfully surprised by the constant suspense of today's round.

Here were my highlights.

Potential: Day's Debut

Jason Day has got game. His backswing is a little short at the top, reminiscent of Anthony Kim's patented 3/4 backswing, which then unravels into whipping his club on the downswing and literally pounding the ball. The swing is both a fluid, Michelangelean piece of art, illuminating Day's relenteless precision throughout his golf swing. But all the same, he brutally rips through the golf ball, as if loading up in his back swing to chop wood.

Ranked 11th in Driving Distance on the PGA Tour, Day has enormous potential to become a threat each time he enters a tournament. However, the flat-stick has clearly hindered his progress, as he is ranked at 152nd on Tour in Putting. A six-birdie day, with two reparable birdies on his ninth and 18th holes, Day is currently in the lead at 4-under par.

Don't be surprised if the Byron Nelson is Day's debut.

Power: Alert — Dustin Johnson now approaching the tee-box

Announcer's predicted that regardless of the obstacles posed by the 7th hole— 542-yards, up-hill, into the wind, with a plethora of sand-traps protecting any and every entrance to the fairway— Dustin Johnson would carry the bunkers (at least 285 yards away), knock his second shot onto the green, and tap in his eagle, strolling off the green with his calm, cool, and collected demeanor.

Though Johnson would end up pushing his drive left, hitting a tree on his second shot, missing the green on his third, chipping it close on his fourth, and tapping in for par on his fifth shot, that didn't concern me.

What was visible to me was the level of anticipation, hype, and excitement that went hand in hand with Johnson's play. He had a massive crowd following him, announcer's constantly mentioning his unparalleled power off the tee, and produced a solid round of 3-under par, a shot behind leader Jason Day.

Don't forget, he's only 25 years old and has already won three times on Tour. If Johnson starts dropping putts and tightens up his driving accuracy, he could easily be holding the trophy come Sunday.

Faxon's Lesson

When Kelly Tilghman asked Brad Faxon why he has had such success on the putting greens throughout his career, as well as why his putting stroke has become a model for emulation emong Tour pros, Faxon, without hesitation, explained, "Because I am not afriad to miss."

On a course like the TPC Four Seasons Resort that boasts large, undulated, and slick greens, competitors this week need to know how and when to be aggressive. For example, throughout his round Justin Leonard continued to leave putts inside of eight feet short, but he was running his lag putts five or six feet past the hole. Whereas Faxon, considered one of golf's archetype's for putting, rarely missed putts beyond a three-foot radius of the hole.

The best putters can putt under pressure. But, they can also gauge distance and speed better than their peers. They don't leave themselves tough comebacker's and rarely three-putt— probably one of the most awful feelings in golf.

So come one, come all— do not fear the void posed by the top ten, for there is a wonderful world of golf awaiting you at the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

Was anyone actually expecting Ernie Els to play a better round Friday than he did Thursday?

Els has carded two, terrific rounds of 68 and 66 at Doral’s beastly Blue Monster course at the WGC-CA Championship, where he is in the lead at 10-under par.

Unexpected? Yes. Implausible? No.

Els has been one of my golf icons since I could grip a club. He epitomizes the purity and fluidity of the golf swing. His on and off course demeanor is that of a champion; modest, but relentless; fierce, but collected.

I was lucky enough to follow him for a few holes at what was then the Northern Trust Open in Palisades, California, at Riviera Country Club. He was the one golfer that taught me, when I was an aspiring, young golfer, you didn’t need to swing harder or faster to make the ball go further.

His pre-shot routine was a simple gaze into the distance and his silky swing was uninhibited and tranquil, like an autumn breeze swooshing through the leaves.

Over the last few years Els’ game, however, has resembled that of an ebb-and-flow amateur restructuring his swing, rather than a 40-year-old professional with three majors under his belt and countless worldwide wins. It has become all too common for Els to shoot a brilliant Thursday round, only to see it virtually erased by mistakes off the tee, three-putts, and carelessness on Fridays.

Yesterday, as I was mulling over the first day’s leaderboard at the CA Championship at Doral, I was, well, hesitant to say the least, to take Els in my top-five picks for the weekend. Having not won since 2008 and never really coming close in 2009, aside from seven top-10’s, I put my bets elsewhere.

It was refreshing to see him playing great golf over the last couple days—but, I can’t help but wonder if the weekend will send him into a whirlwind of dismay.

Now that he has surpassed Thursday and Friday, will his nerves get the best of him or will he show golf fans he can still compete with the best in the world?

Video interviews, blogs and news articles continue to exacerbate the question of where and when Tiger will return.

Some say the Tavistock would be best because he will be in his comfort zone with O’Meara around. Others think Woods’ past success at Arnie’s Tournament would suit his return better. Perhaps the Masters would benefit him more because the media coverage will be strict and not as much of a circus.

Honestly, I am not concerned with the where or when -- I am concerned with the How of Tiger. How will his game look? His putting? Driving? Irons? Short game?

Don’t forget that Tiger would often strike the golf ball and before it had even reached its highest point in the air he and his caddy have already begun walking because Tiger knew exactly where the ball would land—five feet from the cup.

What about his patented club twirl? We have seen it countless times, but the most memorable for me was this past year when he was paired with Furyk at the President’s Cup. Sitting 229-yards away from the hole, ball below his feet, Tiger loaded up and hit the purest cut, four-iron to eight feet from the hole. Sure, the shot itself was incredible, but watch his reaction right after striking the ball:



As one of the commentators put it after Tiger’s shot, “His game is like a Michelangelo painting.”

All of this -- his dominance over his competition -- is a product of his unparalleled mental game.

This is a guy who would speak in press conferences about how he wouldn’t enter a tournament unless he knew he could win. That’s not just confidence: it's pompous.

But things are different now, are they not? His image, brand name associations, and overall character are viewed by the world from a totally new perspective. So I wonder -- is he also looking at the world through new eyes? And if so, can he find a way to maintain his unmatched golf game, while reinventing himself? Or, will everything be affected by his transformation?

This recent superabundance of questioning as to where and when he will compete again reflects how the public expects Tiger to forever be the greatest golfer in the world, and perhaps ever.

I think whenever and wherever he does return is inconsequential. Instead, how he plays, deals with pressure, bad lies, hard winds, wet rough and the countless obstacles of the golf course will be a test to see if he truly is impervious to his past transgressions and time off from professional golf.

No offense to the current leader of the World Golf Championship at Doral, Charl Schwartzel, but his moment in the spotlight is nothing more than a transient travesty for his confidence.

When players like Schwartzel, who did not meet the minimum number of rounds required to be officially ranked in 2009, hold the lead at a world class golf event like Doral I can’t help but feel like I have seen this story before. He will fall from grace like the one-hit-wonders fall from the music charts. Though I would love to be proven wrong and witness Schwartzel demolish the field, the plethora of talented professionals competing this week will overshadow him as they climb the leaderboard.

My eyes are particularly set on five players who I predict will keep viewers on their edge of their seats this week at Doral.

Anthony Kim: currently No. 17 at Doral, 1-under par
Kim is not a sleeper pick this week, but instead the man you want to put your money on. Whether he will win is up in the air, but he is almost guaranteed a top-ten finish after his recent, stellar play. Just in 2010 he has made the cut in all four events he participated in, with one 2nd place at the Honda Classic. Kim is ranked 33rd in putting average and 35th in driving distance, but the stat that impresses me most about him is scoring average, where Kim stands in 4th with a 69.06 average. I believe his aggressive play has been misconstrued as remiss, when in fact it has been the catalyst for his rapid ascent among PGA Tour professionals. Kim will continue to be a threat in every event he enters, but this week at Doral expect him to finish strong.

Paul Casey: currently No. 5 at Doral, 3-under par
For the 2010 PGA Tour season, can you name the only player with top-tens in every event he’s played in? Answer: Paul Casey. A 2nd at the Accenture Match Play, 10th at the SBS Championship, and 4th at the Honda Classic has propelled Casey to the forefront of the golf world. Maybe he doesn’t fist pump after draining a 40-foot putt or flip his eight-iron after a cleanly struck golf shot that lands three-feet from the cup, but Casey is a fierce competitor. He is Mr. Consistency. Just review his stats if you need further persuasion; 6th in GIR (greens in regulation), 13th in scoring average, 15th in birdie average, and currently ranked 8th in the world. Casey has the length and finesse to score well at TPC Blue Monster at Doral. He is on a streak right now and I don’t anticipate this stretch of dazzling golf will stop any time soon.

Hunter Mahan: currently No.24 at Doral, par
Though I wish I had the sweet finish of Luke Donald or drove the ball as far as Bubba Watson, I wish I played golf like Hunter Mahan. His game is simple and yet as far from ordinary as it gets. His powerful swing is complemented by a silky-smooth putting stroke. While some players walk the course emanating apathy (Tim Clark) or dismay (Rory Sabbatini), Mahan radiates with an eagerness to be in the moment and compete at the highest level. It’s in his club twirl, his focused gaze, and the tangible determination to overcome the obstacles of the golf course. This is my feel good pick. At a course like Doral, which is over 7,000 yards and brimming with strategically placed bunkers and water hazards, Mahan’s long and straight off the tee tactics will pay off. He has already won this year at the Waste Management Open in Phoenix and Doral could be the location for that second ‘W’ of 2010.

Phil Mickelson: currently No. 17 at Doral, 1-under par
You can never rule him out. I don’t think that is a mechanical aspect of the swing that your instructor teachers you, or by practicing hitting fades with a seven-iron, or after putting hundreds of three-footers. Mickleson is just pure grit. He is a fighter and in the last few years the public has watched him endure horrible tragedy, yet still persevere. On the course he punishes the ball of the tee, currently averaging 295 yards off the tee, and remains the archetype for play around the greens for his magical touch. The only thing that worries me about Mickleson is exactly what he did at the end of his round yesterday at Doral—he bogeyed holes 17 and 18 after being three-under par. Mickleson has a history of getting a bit too anxious or aggressive at the end of the round; need I mention the U.S. Open where Ogilvy was basically handed the trophy? He needs to control his nerves down the stretch and stay away from the big numbers. Nonetheless, he will make noise this week at Doral where he has a history of exceptional play.

Vijay Singh: currently No.2 at Doral, 4-under par
I really don’t like this guy, but, man, can he play golf. I’m still sore about his Annika Sorenstam comments, and have never really understood his standoffish, cold demeanor on the golf course. But I won’t lie: I used to practice his patented towel under the arm exercise when swinging because if Singh is an expert at anything it’s practicing the right things. I hope people haven’t forgotten that the only other player to hold the No. 1 ranking in our Tiger Woods Era was this guy. Singh’s coming off a 4th place finish at the Honda Classic and has a 69.52 scoring average in 2010—not too shabby. Though I wish it weren’t the case, I can’t ignore Singh’s potential to go on a streak of birdies and ascend to the top of the leaderboard by Sunday.

Before Brandt Snedeker went on a birdie rampage Saturday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the void that Tiger’s absence had left on my ‘golf soul’ was beginning to subside. There it was: an abundance of youth—Camillo Villegas, Ryan Moore, Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler—was perched atop the leaderboard.

Suddenly, I’m revitalized.

For the first time in a long time I am eager and excited to tune into a PGA Tour event.

I had been dejected after learning of Gatorade’s decision to release Tiger from his endorsement. Tiger’s seriousness and sincerity at his press conference appeared, at least in my eyes, to be enough to restore faith in his ability to transform himself. However, Gatorade obviously viewed his issues through a different lens.

Then yesterday, as my browser slowly unraveled, I couldn’t help but coyly smirk in satisfaction that guys my age were tearing it up at TPC Scottsdale. A combined age of 101, it was almost surreal to see Villegas, Moore, Kim, and Fowler being chased by major winners, future PGA Hall of Famers, and over 140 of the most talented golfers in the world.

It’s a strange, but pleasant, reminder that life goes on in the golf world.

Having met both Kim and Fowler, hit on the range next to them, and observed the intricacies of each of their games—Kim the powerful and Fowler the crafty—I have been hopeful and anxious for their individual breakthroughs on the Tour. Though Kim has already had a great deal of success in his short career, especially in 2008 with wins at the AT&T National and Wachovia, it was refreshing to see a guy like Fowler, who has immeasurable amounts of pressure on him from all the hype and acclaim, producing under pressure.

Moore’s methods may be a little unorthodox, considering he refuses to wear spikes on the golf course, but the dude has got game. His last few seasons have been characterized by a slew of both top-tens and missed cuts; not exactly the blueprint of consistency. But, he has a gritty, aggressive attitude on the course that I anticipate will launch him to the forefront of the golf world in the coming months.

Villegas is off to a rapid start of the 2010 season. After nearly winning at the WGC Accenture Match Play last week, he started the Phoenix Open with a blistering 9-under par 62 Thursday, and a 3-under par 69 Friday. Looking at Villegas’ stats over the last three years, every year he has been improving, most visibly in his short game; the nucleus of a successful golf career.

Over the last few years, my anticipation for young players’ success on tour has been ebb and flow. Whether they are straight out of college, like Fowler, or a recent graduate of the Nationwide Tour, like Moore, rumors start, hype grows, and the judgment begins.

As an observer and fervent fan, I can’t imagine how arduous this task and transition must be for these young golfers. They are acclaimed at the junior and college level, reigning victorious at local, national, and even international events. Leading in stats like driving distance and putts per round has become common—but then, they reach the big time, or what Crash Davis would call ‘the show.’

It’s a culture shock. It’s a mental shock. It’s a shock.

Their role models are now their playing partners. They’re finish in the event doesn’t just earn them a mention in the newspaper, but a paycheck.

They’re not just pursuing a dream anymore—they’re going to work every day to survive in a cutthroat business.

Only time will tell which of these emerging golfers will consistently shine when its crunch time on the PGA Tour. But, one thing is for certain: they radiate vigor and a visible, perceptible desire to compete and thrive and that is everything and more that the PGA Tour is yearning for right now.

Dustin Johnson prevailed over Paul Goydos and JB Holmes Sunday at the AT&T Pebble Beach National, capturing his third career PGA Tour victory. But before Johnson had teed it up, or the slick Poa annua greens had been trimmed, or the morning dew blanketed the rye fairway grass, Sunday’s final pairing had stirred up the suspense of an age-old golf quandary: What kind of golfer has the upper-hand — a long-ball hitter or a short-game extraordinaire?

On Saturday at Spyglass, Paul Goydos was all business. Firing at pins and reading green undulation from any and every angle, Goydos secured an impressive, bogey free round of 8-under par 64. But Goydos was not the only pro making noise Saturday under the golden rays of sunlight in Monterey Bay. Dustin Johnson, one of the PGA Tour’s renown long-ball hitters, polished off his second round of 64 in the week, prompting an unusual and distinctive final pairing.

Sunday had the potential to be an incredibly intriguing final round as Johnson, a goliath who pummels the golf ball, competed against Goydos, the crafty, unpredictable underdog.

Strangely, golf analysts and commentators had been quick to assume that Johnson had the upper hand on Goydos. With only two wins on the PGA Tour, 11 years apart from the other, Goydos’ Achilles heel throughout his career has been managing consistency. When Goydos has found his groove in PGA events, he has a history of, well, choking. His reign atop the leaderboard usually lasts until that dreadful day — Sunday, a day associated with panic for Goydos. But, for anyone who knows what it’s like to be the underdog, we were rooting for him, even if his opponent boasted bizarrely enormous length of the tee.

With Goydos and Johnson highlighting this event, viewers were given a special glimpse into the dynamic between a golfer with explosive power and a golfer with unsuspecting touch.

The palpable disparity between the talents of Goydos and Johnson are emblematic of the golfing public, who have fallen into the tendency of labeling themselves a ‘power-hitter’ or more of a ‘touch player.’ While the goal in golf may be to master every aspect of the game, from long irons to short game to shaping shots, realistically, golfers excel at only one or two facets of the game and consequently will qualify themselves in that way.

Playing in junior events at a local and national level, I came into contact with golfers whose talents spanned across the spectrum; I saw guys who drove the ball over 300 yards, consistently hit every fairway and green, but who could not buy a putt, producing scores like 77, 78. Similarly, I encountered short hitters who lost their drives right, chipped back into the fairway, missed the green, chipped on, only to drain every putt they stood in front of, carding the same scores as the long-ball hitters.

Though the PGA Tour generates this idyllic image that every professional has found the middle ground of that spectrum, that’s much more fantasy than reality.

Why has Sergio Garcia never won a major? His short game is dreadful in pressure situations. Why has JB Holmes never been a constant threat on the PGA Tour? His power off the tee is the only consistency he has mastered. Why has Luke Donald never played up to his potential? In 2009, Luke was 82nd or higher in every statistic, except for one where he was ranked No.1 — sand saves. Big woop.

Golfers on the PGA Tour are struggling at the same things we, the duffers and shankers, are struggling with — all-around consistency. They too have endured the dreaded three-putt from inside 10-feet, finding your ball in a fried egg in the bunker, and even driving their ball out of bounds after coming off a birdie.

Sunday had the potential to reveal the ultimate showdown between Johnson’s driving force and Goydos’ expertise around the greens, but the round ended up revealing where the PGA Tour professionals truly thrive: recovery. Though Goydos and Johnson were in the lead at 18-under par over the first three days, both finished over par in their final rounds. In their final 18 holes, Goydos had a quadruple bogey and Johnson multiple bogeys, and in the end it became a battle for who could recover best.

In golf, just as in life, people make mistakes and what counts is how you recover from them.

Tiger or no Tiger, PGA Tour professionals are committed to proving that they can break out of Tiger’s shadow to become king of the jungle.

But it’s upsetting to say the least. For any PGA Tour player who reigns victorious after four grueling days of battle on the golf course, or who dominates the putting and greens in regulation stats, their triumph will come with the bitter caveat — what if Tiger had competed in the field?

Articles and blogs across ESPN.com and Golf Digest have just about exhausted this dramatic Tiger saga, and only precipitated more turmoil. PGA Tour commentators have called it the ‘elephant on the golf course.’ Writers have twisted the words of PGA Tour pros to generate even more unnecessary controversy. But most common has been the discussion of the detrimental financial effects on the PGA with Tiger’s tangible absence.

But what I believe has been painfully missing from this conversation has been the essential exploration of potential players who could, and possibly will, rehabilitate the golf world.

The player who reawakens the suffering PGA Tour does not necessarily have to display the palpably intense on-course attitude of Tiger, or the amiable qualities of Boo Weekley.

The truth is they need to be an individual. They need to generate difference.

Tiger is the blueprint for a reason. Consider how he defied previous golf stereotypes through his legendary dedication to fitness, which has helped set a new standard for golf both as a sport and an athletic endeavor.

If a golfer can once more trigger a substantial change, he will lend a hand in conquering the enormous challenges currently submerging the PGA Tour. The conversation will shift to whether or not Tiger can handle the world’s new No. 1 player, and not the other way around.

But for clarity, I’m not talking about a guy like Bubba Watson. Sure, he has proven he can hit his Bridgestone golfball as far as he wants (currently leading the PGA Tour with a 316-yard average driving distance). However, he’s also proven that he can’t consistently hit his irons within eight to ten feet, or sink putts in pressure filled situations. Players like Watson, who bomb it off the tee, will continue to prevail in categories that don’t produce winners, just ‘shoulda-beens.’

Also, this conversation doesn’t include players with a clearly poor, hostile attitude, like Rory Sabbatini. Recently, Rory had a massive article written about him in Golf Digest expressing how he felt his over-zealous, fiery golf course demeanor has been misconstrued for the person he really is; a fun-loving, goofy and affable man. But I guess my question for Rory would be: How else should the public view you but from your golf course demeanor? What other option do they have? Both fans and players should aspire to the outstanding qualities of this up and coming new star, and not be resented like Sabbatini has clearly become.

Cockiness and distance off the tee are not prerequisites for becoming a star in golf. But this player needs to creatively reinvigorate the sport. How this will be done is yet to be seen, for that lofty goal remains atop the ‘To Do List’ for the current PGA Tour pros. Just don’t think they are not up to the task.

One remarkable player’s rise to golf stardom will be a positive, regenerative step forward for golf; that is indisputable. New sponsors will arise, crowds will multiply, and most importantly, golf will be back on the worldwide map. There is a reason golf was chosen for the 2016 Olympics. It’s a rapidly growing, indispensable sport that must prove it is bigger and more valuable that one man.