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.

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.