March 4, 2012. Sunday afternoon. Did this begin the start of a new era? Or is it just the beginning of something that we are oh so familiar with. There's a new #1 in the world by the name of Rory McIlroy. He became the youngest player since Tiger Woods (more on him later) to do so. At 22 years old, Tiger was 21, he claims the world #1 ranking after winning the Honda Classic by 2 shots. The question now is, for how long will he keep it. Since Tiger's absence there's been quite a few different #1's. Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, and now Rory McIlroy. So is Rory going to take this ranking and be the poster boy of the PGA Tour for years to come... or is it just a matter of time?
Sunday reminded us of something else as well. Someone not name Rory was making a mess of what should've been an easy win for McIlroy entering the final round. Just going out and shooting even par became a little more difficult. No it wasn't a rookie stepping up and challenging although he played very well and still finished 2nd. Former #1 ranked golfer Lee Westwood was making a charge and playing incredible golf. But he wasn't threatening McIlroy. It was somebody wearing a red shirt. There was a time when this legendary figure put on a red shirt and struck fear in the hearts of all the players in the field. Some stood tall against him, only to fall in the end. He's been known for grinding out victories even when his game wasn't his "A game". He's been known to win majors with one leg. But he's been gone from the game for over 2 years. This Sunday however somebody came to play that reminded us of greatness. That reminded us of the days that no matter how far back he was you watched because you believed he could win. This guy in this red shirt started the day 9 shots off the lead. This guy who isn't known for his putting, unlike the former legendary figure we loved, started making some putts. He was hitting monster drives that reminded us of this one phenom so many idolized. After firing a 31 on the front 9, there was a buzz in PGA National. It wasn't a buzz of Rory playing steady golf and going to win, but a buzz that someone might come back from behind and take it from him. When McIlroy looked at the leaderboard there was a familiar name making a charge. Tiger Woods.
McIlroy heard the roars, but kept his composure. Grinded out par after par. He had a slip up bogey but like a true champion and #1 ranked player responded by drilling a birdie putt, right after hearing a Tiger roar for birdie on 17. Tiger then steps up to 18 thinking he needs a birdie to have a chance. Pulls out the driver and takes an aggressive line cutting the corner on the par 5 18 leaving him 185 yards to a pin tucked right covered by bunkers and water. What does he do? Like the Tiger of old he hits an unbelievable shot and knocks it stiff for eagle which he would later make. Rory continued to grind out pars playing some smart shots and 2 putting. Hitting some bad shots and getting up and down. Rory would go on to win the Honda and capture the world #1.
So what did we learn from this Sunday? Did we learn the inevitable of Rory taking over the golfing world? Or did we learn that Tiger is back and will once again conquer the game of golf? I think Tiger's days of domination are over. Young guys like McIlroy know how to win, and have that competitive fire to win. There not affraid of Tiger, because that Tiger hasn't been around. They've been kicking his butt for the last 2 years. In my opinion (take it for what it's worth), Tiger will once again capture the #1 ranking. I think he just needed a Sunday charge like today to get that fire burning inside of him again. To get the fans fired up and maybe feed Tiger the momentum he has lost. To get the fans chanting TIGER, TIGER, TIGER, like the where when he was walking off the 18th green. Or maybe just a pairing with Ernie Els who always gets the best of Tiger. Whatever we've learned, golf is going to be in a good state for some years to come. Tiger chasing Jack. Rory making his claim as one of the greats. There's a reason to watch golf. There's story lines once again that make golf interesting to the casual golfer or spectator. It's going to be a great season.
