Tiger Woods wants to win major golf championships, and he wants to win them in the worst way. With 14 of them already in his resume, it looked obvious that the 2009 PGA Championship would be No. 15, especially since Tiger, No. 1 in the world, had never lost a major holding the lead going into the final round. But then, as most golfers know, cow pasture pool can be a crazy, weird and wild game.
Not getting to a television set until the season’s last major was in the waning holes, I expected a dancing, fist-pumping Tiger Woods to have his 15th major all sewed up. I couldn’t have been further off base.
Here came Y.E. Yang from South Korea, ranked No. 110 in the world with one PGA win, compared to Tiger’s 70. Yang was not only matching Woods shot for shot, but also doing some fist-pumping of his own. When Yang at the age of 37 hadn’t even taken up golf until he was 19, chipped in for eagle on the par-four 301-yard 14th hole to take a one shot lead, few would have suspected that Tiger would ultimately lose by three shots.
Woods has had some close calls in the past, but he had always managed to come up with an answer to whatever threat was thrown at him, whether it was finding the cup with an “impossible” shot from behind the 16th green at The Masters or holing a long putt at Valhalla while hapless Bob May was missing a four-foot birdie try at another PGA Championship a few years back.
To add insult to injury in that one, Woods hit a wild hook in the playoff that had “out of bounds” written all over it until it rattled off a huge tree and came floating back to the fairway where it was turned into an easy birdie and another major win for Tiger.
Golf balls, however, don’t know and furthermore don’t care who is striking them. They simply go their merry way, sometimes finding the bottom of the hole, but often simply teasing the hapless golfer by disregarding the darkness that awaits them at the bottom of the cup.
I’ve always maintained that the ability to putt extremely well is also the curse that can lead to some horrendously poor efforts with the flat stick. That internal voice that creates an aura of invincibility and supreme confidence is great to possess in one’s golfing arsenal, but when that same voice does a 180-degree turn and tells you in no uncertain terms that there is no way your putts are going in, you have troubles with a capital “T.”
It will be interesting to see if Woods can snap back after a letdown of such monstrous proportions. Supreme confidence is definitely something that no golfer can summon at will and Woods with all his vast resources will realize there is no lifetime guarantee to perform at the pinnacle that he has demonstrated through the years with the putter in his hands.
Sam Snead summed it up long ago when he advised, “The sun don’t shine on the same dog every day.” It certainly was shining on Y.E. Yang during that last round of the PGA Championship, while it was hiding behind a dark cloud when it was Woods’ turn to putt.
Although Woods experienced the pain, despair and agony that he felt at Hazeltine, I’d be the last to believe that he won’t be back with a vengeance, allowing of course that he and his putter can rekindle the magic they once shared. If Tiger is to maintain his lofty status in the professional golf world, he will need to make sure his putter is operating at maximum efficiency when it comes to confidence and consistency.
As the old saying goes, if you want to make more putts, you must have more confidence. How do you gain added confidence? You must make more putts! Crazy? Sure, but that’s the kind of game it is.
• Chad Collins is continuing to rise on the Nationwide money list. With $25,000 garnered last Sunday, Collins moved into the 14th spot with $168, 581. The top 25 will earn playing privileges on the PGA Tour for 2010.
• Don Albert celebrated his first hole in one recently when he holed his wedge shot on number eight at River Bend Golf Course at The Landing.
Witnessing Albert’s ace were Harvey Cabak and Pappy Poore.
• • •
TIP OF THE WEEK: Jack Nicklaus was considered the best putter of his era. He was asked how many putts he had missed that he had to make to win various tournaments. He answered, “None — in my mind.”
Jack never putted until after he had envisioned the ball rolling into the cup, a good idea for any golfer.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Rub of the Green
Rub of the Green: Woods vs. Yang at PGA proves anything can happen
- Rub of the Green
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Rub of the Green: Bowling or golf? Both provide plenty of challenge
The question has been raised in the past, is it bowling or golf that is the more difficult endeavor?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Sometimes this can be a confounding game
To be sure, the great Sam Snead certainly knew what he was talking about when he delivered his favorite axiom, “The sun don’t shine on the same dog every day.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Grayless takes over as golf professional at Hulman Links
Ed Grayless has assumed the “head man’s” position at the Links after Ryan Klopfenstein resigned as Hulman Links golf professional in order to pursue other interests.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Young players should match course to skills
One of the biggest mistakes a beginning golfer can make is to keep playing a golf course that is far too difficult for the ability demonstrated by that player.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: On the lanes or links, Davis is competitive
Darrell Davis carries a 240 bowling average which obviously puts him in some strong company on the alleys, but he feels that golf is a much more difficult sport than keggling.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Loquacious golfers can provide priceless quotes
Golfers always seem to have a great deal to say, but determining who said what and who said it first can be a problem.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Rick Fernandes can look back on a great golf career
What does an outstanding golfer have left when an accident has robbed him of the consummate skills he once possessed? The answer most assuredly would be one word, “Memories.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Feherty’s humor good for golf
David Feherty is an extremely funny man. If you have read his book written a few years ago, you might have guessed what to expect from him. The book, entitled “Somewhere in Ireland a Village is Missing an Idiot,” set the stage for his far out brand of humor, most of which is directed at himself.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: It's all in your head
A pair of divot diggers had been discussing their favorite sport when one could be heard saying, “You know, I think this game is 90 percent mental.” After a short pause his friend replied, “Well, I think you’re about 10 percent short in your estimation.”
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Golf: ‘The Game You Love to Hate’
Golf has been called “The Game You Love to Hate.” In addition, love-hate relationships have been around since the beginning of time.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf is only sport that offers both hilarity, pathos
It’s been stated more than once that “golf is a microcosm for life itself.”
This writer would heartily agree. No sport or game can offer combinations of happiness and sadness, hilarity and pathos as evidenced by an activity called “cow pasture pool” by some of its practitioners. -
RUB OF THE GREEN: Even golfers say there is drug problem on Tour
Are professional golfers using performance-enhancing drugs? This writer wouldn’t have the foggiest, but if you asked Gary Player, one of the game’s greatest, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes.”
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Not all golfers display their trophies
Back in the “old days,” let’s say the 1940s, most of the time when you won something in a golf tournament your prize came in the form of a trophy. That was it, just a dust catcher. Later, merchandise prizes were added.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf full of colorful characters
Every sport has its own cast of characters and golf is definitely no exception. Whether it is diving head first into a greenside bunker or tying an unreliable putter to a car’s bumper and dragging it down the road, golfers can do some strange things.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Winter made golf impossible this year
Old Man Winter along with Mother Nature must have something against area golfers. They have joined forces to sabotage a sport called winter golf, an activity many Wabash Valley players have enjoyed in years gone by.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Golf instruction a strenuous art
Few who have ever tried their hands at playing the game of golf would describe the sport as “easy”. In fact, just the opposite would be the case.
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BOB ARNETT: No matter what your level, watch out for pressure
What is the affliction that can affect most any golfer from those who can’t break an egg to skilled golfers who can break 70?
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RUB OF THE GREEN: THGA tournaments include variety, long history
In days gone by, the Terre Haute Golf Association has always offered more than just a 72-hole stroke play tournament.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: PGA playoff system still needs work
Is anyone fed up with the convoluted Fed Ex playoffs? The PGA has been tweaking its so-called Fed Ex playoff system for years, and they never seem to get it right.
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Rub of the Green: Golf can be roller coaster for young pros
Dustin Johnson may be best remembered for his appearances in the major tournaments in 2010, but not because he won. He didn’t win. But he came awfully close.
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Rub of the Green: One size does NOT fit all when it comes to golfing ability
Literally hundreds of books have been written on the subject of golf instruction, and we can be certain they all agree on one fundamental, always keep your head stationary throughout the swing.
Right? Nope, wrong as it could be! How’s that, you say? As examples both David Duval and Annika Sorenstam at one time were rated the world’s No. 1 professional golfers, respectively, and both swiveled their heads well before their clubheads reached the impact zone. In fact, Duval is one of a select few who has a 59 to his credit on the PGA Tour. -
Rub of the Green: Gerstmeyer Tech’s reknown Les Brown made his mark in plethora of sports
Les Brown never had a middle name, not even a middle initial. What he did have was an abundance of athletic ability that he utilized to earn letters in five different sports during his senior year at Gerstmeyer Technical High School.
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Rub of the Green: An inspiring walk of 1,000 miles
Watching the young man on the TV screen move from place to place was like watching the human body battle itself. It seemed as though his arms and legs each wanted to go in separate directions, as he flailed about with only a cane to steady himself.
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Rub of the Green: From fundraiser to reunited, game of golf wears many different ‘hats’
The game of golf can take on many different characteristics, depending on the objectives of those sponsoring the events. Golf may be played as a tribute or a memorial to the deceased. It may be a time of camaraderie that unites old friends.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Excursions are a tradition for many Terre Haute golfers
Many divot diggers enjoy excursions to play golf courses that offer new and different challenges. Terre Haute can certainly testify to the truth of that with some groups having hit the road for many decades.
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Rub of the Green: Was 1960 really the ‘Greatest Year in Golf’?
Listening to Willie Nelson warble the lyrics, “Ain’t it funny how time slips away?” reminds this writer that those words are incorrect on two counts. One, it is not funny to get old. The late Bob Bundy often stated, “Old age is not for sissies.” And two, time doesn’t just slip away, it tends to streak on at a full gallop. At least, that’s the felling you get when you qualify for the Methuselah Flight of your club championship.
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Rub of the Green: Basketball coaching legend Wooden could hold his own on golf course
The name John Wooden doesn’t just “ring a bell” with Indiana basketball aficionados; it resounds like a canon shot. No doubt about it, John Wooden is someone special, and that is a gross understatement.
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RUB OF THE GREEN: Can Tiger Woods successfully make over his me-first image?
“Pain, despair and agony on me” are the words of a comical song made popular on an old TV program titled “Hee-Haw.” The refrain might have been heard again if you had occasion to drive by the Tiger Woods residence in the gated community of Isleworth, Fla., as the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday wound down, but this time no one was laughing.
- Rub of the Green: Course architect Pete Dye has had lasting impression on game It would seem that the more you learn about Pete Dye, the golf course architect, the more there is to admire about the man. It was decades ago when Dye determined that the insurance business was not for him, and he decided to begin designing golf courses. Even Pete, himself, in all likelihood, couldn’t have known the impact he was going to make on the golf world.
- RUB OF THE GREEN: French Lick course a treasure With pristine fairways, greens and bunkers providing a colorful patchwork, the course provides onlookers with the opportunity to witness some of the best experiences Mother Nature can provide.
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