Going Low & Going Global

I'm not sure what was more impressive recently - Ryan Riley's 63 in the final round of the Public Links at Franconia to seal victory or Y.E. Yang facing off with Tiger and beating the world's best.

Obviously two different stages here, but Ryan Riley's 63 last week was phenomenal. Sure, there were a total of 20 players who finished the tournament under par. Sure, Franconia GC is a little on the short side. But you still have to get the ball in the hole, and to sleep on the lead after a 66 and then come out and fire a 63 is a rare feat for pro golfers, let alone amateurs. I was at the scoring table when Ryan handed in his scorecard. I looked at the card and said out loud, 'I've never seen so many 3's on a card before.' The 63 overshadowed host club favorite Bobby Loguidice's 64. It's tough to shoot 64 and lose ground. That's really golfing your ball, guys. Congrats to champion Ryan and everyone who played well.

I thnk the entire golfing world was waiting for two things as the PGA Championship unfolded Sunday at Hazeltine: 1) Tiger Woods to kick it into gear, and 2) Y.E. Yang to fold up his pup tent on the back nine and go packing. Neither happened and when Yang stuffed his 3-hybrid at 18, I was stunned to think that Tiger Woods wasn't going to win. It was a stretch to think that Tiger would hole that chip from the muff at 18 to force Yang's hand, and when he didn't the reality really sank in.

I'm as big a Tiger fan as anyone. He's great for the game, always has been, and especially in these tough economic times. I've always rooted for Tiger, but when I root for him now I feel like I'm rooting for history. I want to see Tiger catch and surpass Jack's record 18 majors. A few years ago it seemed like a foregone conclusion. Now I think that it seems likely but not sure bet. As Brandel Chamblee and Frank Nobilo analyzed the Tiger of 2009 versus the Tiger of, say, 2000 they are two completely different players. The old Tiger used to demoralize a field and have the ability to win by 10 or more. The new more tactical Tiger is more consistent, but probably a little less intimidating to some of the players. Yang's victory on Sunday only adds fuel to the notion that Tiger is actually human and beatable in certain circumstances.

Taking a longer view it certainly isn't the end of the world that Tiger lost. I don't think anyone could really feel bad for Tiger. If he never hit another shot he still goes down as arguably the best who ever played. Y.E. Yang's win is huge for golf on the global level and specifically throughout Asia. With China in its infancy in golf terms, Y.E. Yang winning a major proves that it can be done by an Asian player. The women of South Korea have certainly proven they can win majors starting with Se Ri Pak, but not until Hazeltine has a male golf from that part of the world closed the deal. Most close watchers of the game probably thought it would be K.J. Choi, but no matter. That Y.E. Yang pulled it off helps grow the game almost overnight several time zones from us. And what perfect timing by Y.E. to win a big one right after the anouncement that golf will likely be added to the 2016 Olympic Games.

Many of us in the states - especially those of us who work in the game - have been bemoaning the stagnation in golf, how the game has been flat or declined, how fewer players are taking up the game. This is all true, but I like to think the glass is half full. Golf is still strong in the USA, and with Y.E. Yang's win golf becomes a bigger sport around the world which can only help the game here. Just think, only eight months til Augusta. Or maybe more importantly, only two weeks to the Deutsche Bank Championship when we get to see Tiger and Y.E. in person.