The imminent rise of the US: Golf has a new beginning
Tiger Woods fall from the top left the US struggling in the sport and triggered the rise of the European and English counter parts that were once dwarfed by the mighty Woods in his hay days. Although their strong position at the Official World Golf Rankings
(OWGR) continues unabated, there have been encouraging developments in the recent past which deserve introspect.
The US Team’s recent success at the biennial President’s Cup and their surprise victory at the Mission Hills World Cup of Golf on alien turfs, have revoked the impression that the young guns of the country are all set to make up for Woods’ loss, at least
for the moment. Tiger Woods dominated the top slot of the OWGR for an undisputed record period of time and always managed to have the lead by miles to his nearest competitor. Apart from Woods, Phil Mickelson also remained one of the best performing golfers
in the early 2000’s and also surged to the top once during his career. He is considered to be comparatively unfortunate for playing in Woods era, who rarely gave his foes a chance to clear him in high profile events.
Top ranking English player Lee Westwood was the first European player after several years that toppled Woods from the top slot for the first time, after Woods’ family and private life crumbled in wake of his extramarital affairs. As the 14-major-winner struggled
to regain his once brilliant form, players from the other side of the Atlantic moved in to replace him from the top. Westwood remained on top of the OWGR for a consecutive 17 months before he was dethroned by Germany’s Martin Kaymer early in the month of February
this year. Westwood regained the top slot with his consecutive wins on the Asian Turf but was again overpowered by his countryman Luke Donald in the BMW PGA Championship. Donald has been since remained the undisputed on the OWGR.
But what has been of particular importance is the rise of the young trailblazers on the American golf scene, who were secluded by the rampaging Woods. Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley, Anthony Kim, Dustin Johnson, and several other youngsters
have stepped up on the heat to claim the title of the best golfing nation in the world, although there’s still a lot of work to be done in this regard.
Bradley, a rookie on the PGA Tour, went over to win his first major title, the PGA Championship in Atlanta. Grandson of the LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley, the young gun won his second title, the PGA Grand Slam in Bermuda to intensify his surge to the top.
He deserved a chance to be part of the President’s Cup Team this year but was left behind when Captain Couples decided to throw his weight behind his long time ally and friend, Woods.
Fowler, lurking for his maiden title for the last two years, won his first event in Asia with a huge margin. He also performed well in the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s this year and is all set to continue with his trail blazing golf in the next
year.
Bill Haas, winner of the lucrative $10-million FedExCup title, is also one of the surprise winners on the American side among other shining performers like Kim and Johnson. American rampage is likely to carry on in the next calendar year where the European
and English players will have to pull in some hard work to contain the resurging American dominance.
Disclaimer: The above article constitutes writer's own personal views and is not based on the editorial policy of Bettor.com.
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