Recent trend shows that unknown or less popular players are rising to the top – true or false?
In recent times, almost after every week there is a new tournament. Sometimes it is won by popular golfers and sometimes the glory favours the unknowns.
It is usually seen that less popular players are finishing on the top, leaving the world’s best behind. This is a recurrent trend.
This is a new fact and a great source of attraction for the golf lovers. Now, spectators cannot assume the winner of any Professional Golf Association Tour or European Tour organised tournament.
Every result is different and famous players’ domination is somewhat over now. Lately, most of the tournaments have a mixed result.
If one tournament is won by a renowned player, then it is also seen that the next one is triumphed by an unknown golfer.
Such an interesting feature can be easily observed after looking at the PGA and European Tour results from January 2012 to date.
First, speaking about the famous organiser, PGA, will validate the claim substantially. Thirteen tournaments have been played in the current season so far and their results are amazing.
The 13 respected winners at PGA are Steve Stricker, Johnson Wagner, Mark Wilson, Brandt Snedeker, Kyle Stanley, Phil Mickelson, Bill Haas, John Huh, Hunter Mahan, Rory McIlroy, George McNeill, Justin Rose and Luke Donald.
Out of these thirteen, several are famous and popular worldwide. They won the PGA organised tournaments amazingly and competed well against the other field members.
The popular players, with their current world ranking positions are Luke Donald (1), Rory McIlroy (2), Steve Stricker (5), Mark Wilson (26), Phil Mickelson (13), Bill Haas (15), Brandt Snedeker (22), Hunter Mahan (12) and Justin Rose (8).
Hence, the rest cannot be called unknowns because they won different titles in the past, but they are not high up in the world rankings.
The less famous players with rankings are Johnson Wagner (67), Kyle Stanley (47), John Huh (130) and George McNeill (106).
There are total of 9 players out of 13 who won the PGA staged events of 2012 and are famous and popular golfers worldwide.
They are ranked among the top-25 in the Official World Golf Rankings and also have huge fan ship.
Now coming to the European Tour, total 10 tournaments have taken place so far and have been won by different professionals.
The winners are Louis Oosthuizen (38), Branden Grace (90), Robert Rock (57), Paul Lawrie (45), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (63), Jbe Kruger (112), Hunter Mahan (12), and Justin Rose (8).
Among these players, Hunter Mahan (12) and Justin Rose (8) are the two golf players, who are popular and top ranked worldwide.
The rest of the players do not have enough fan-ship or followers. It was never expected in the past that less famous players will win, but it is a reality these days.
After looking at the stats, it is clear that the PGA is dominated by the top and famous players.
However, the situation at the European Tour is different, as unknowns or less famous domination can be easily observed.
Such diversified results are a great attraction for the spectators and at the same time, it is devastating as well.
The fans may lose interest in the game and golf leaders may have to face a decline in their number of fans.
There can be many reasons for such diversified results. Firstly, it can be the mediocre performance from the world leaders. Secondly, it can be the improved game of the low ranked players.
Moreover, it can be the tough, competing and appealing golf courses, which benefit those who have practised or played on those courses before.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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