As I sit here, I have no idea where to begin about this year’s Masters… that hasn’t already been said on every media source on the planet.
This was SUCH an interesting Masters and not just for probably the most exciting final round that I can remember…but also the multitude of side stories that went on.
From the Japanese players discipline and concentration while thousands lie dead at home, to the return of Amy Mickelson back to the Masters after her unfortunate illness. Freddy Couples great play in the first two days, only to be brought down by that nagging back.
Even the TV ratings made the news, while this year’s audience was down 13% from last years, I am sure it was not due to the play on Sunday, but more due to the huge audience that tuned in last year to see Tigers return to the links after his self imposed exile after single handedly destroying one of the most famous marriages in the world.
Maybe that’s where I will go with this….. the differences we saw between the new young sensations vs. the old young sensation.
Tiger, Charl & Rory
Despite Rory’s excellent play over three days and nine holes, his challenge, like so many other young players (since Tiger?) was denied….the grand course of golf beat Rory into submission, and what Augusta didn’t do, Rory did to himself… a classic melt down.
Tiger, especially on Sunday’s front nine showed life….but he also displayed the behavior that turned me off for years, the same behavior he swore he would never do again…. In his “determination” to be a better golfer, a better role model, a better person…etc.
We saw none of it.
Again he was not only disconnected with the gallery, he was icy cold, and removed from his fan base…. He has proven that he is still so self centered, he does not feel the need to repay, let alone acknowledge, those who supported him for years in buying into his endorsements, or those who cheered him on during the low time of his career.
Even in defeat, he refused to tip his hat (something he stated a person should ALWAYS do), he never complemented any players, instead he made excuses why he didn’t win.
On the flipside, Rory McIlroy granted and gave a great interview with Kostas…even though he looked drained and defeated in every aspect, he was gracious articulate and made no excuses…he even Tweeted a bit later: “Well THAT didn’t go to plan”…then went on to say “You have to lose before you can win” and “This day will make me stronger”.
Words of true class and a true champion… not the Champion of this Major…but he will win his share over the years to come, and it couldn’t happen to a better person.
I just saw another tweet from Rory this morning….as he was getting on the plane for next week’s Malaysian open, he found himself on the same plane with Charl Schwartzel and asked the new Masters Champ to have his picture taken with him! Then shared the photo to the world.
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| The Tweeted Image of Charl and Rory |
Again, a class act, that typifies the fresh, mature attitude of a future Majors champion….something diametrically opposite of what the previous champion would have done.
If this is the direction professional golf is going, then I am all for throwing out the old and bringing in the new.
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