Golf For The Soul

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.