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It would be remiss not to first congratulate, the winner of the 2009 US Open, Lucas Glover.

Glover played in the final group for the last 36 holes (over three days) of Golf’s most difficult Major Championship and handled himself and his game perfectly. This quiet, softly spoken, gentlemen from South Carolina outlasted a star studded leader-board to become the Champion of the 109th Open.

Glover was able to endure the monster that is Bethpage Black and the interminable delays which the weather wreaked havoc with. This was the second win on Tour for the 29 year old and certainly not his last. Glover has a classic “older” golf swing in that he relies more on rhythm and timing more than most players, and he produces a fluid and very powerful move at the ball.

The US Open demands of its winners that they are composed and patient and Glover displayed both of those qualities in abundance. After dropping three shots on the front 9, and with the game’s biggest names, Woods and Mickelson, making charges, Glover stayed his course and played perfect, “Open” golf. After dropping out of the solo lead by making a bogey on the hardest hole on the course, the diabolical 15th, he rebounded by making a superb birdie on the 16th and then parring the last two holes for his two shot victory.

This was Phil Mickelson’s fifth runner-up finish in the US Open, which gives him more second place finishes than any other player in history. It appeared for a while that this would be the year that Lefty finally won the event that he has been so agonizingly close to winning, so many times.

With his wife, Amy, recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and who begins treatment in 10 days, being foremost in his mind, the thought was that maybe the “Golf gods” would let this be Mickelson’s year. In addition to which the New York fans have a love for Phil that they reserve for very few athletes. But it was not meant to be as Mickelson faltered by making bogey in two of the last four holes.

But for us, the real memory from this year’s thriller, was the return to prominence of David Duval (see our previous article).

Just as he did at last year’s British Open after contending for the first two rounds, Duval began his day by making a triple bogey, 6 on the par 3, third hole. Comeback over, right?

No.

Showing an immense refusal to give up, Duval made 5 birdies over the next 15 holes and was tied for the lead with Glover at 3-under until Glover made his birdie on the 16th to re-claim the lead that he would not relinquish.

David Duval has had exactly, one Top Ten finish on Tour; in the last 7 years. He has adamantly insisted that his game was on the way back, but had offered no proof of that until this week.

The sheer will and determination that Duval displayed this week, was remarkable. That he has, for almost a decade, wandered the professional golf abyss that comes with not knowing where your next shot will go, and has persevered, is Homeric. Duval would not quit. He would not abandon hope and stop trying to get better.

The character and human qualities that David Duval has shown us far outweigh his skills as a golfer; and those skills are prodigious.

After 36 holes at the 2009, US Open at Bethpage Black, the annual US Open, “Cinderella Story”, finds itself being written

Except that this is no Cinderella. This man is the only player in the last 15 years who has truly challenged the dominance of one, Tiger Woods. He was the #1 player in the world for most of 1998 and 1999. He won the 2001, British Open and the 1997 Players Championship. He shot a final round, 59, to win a PGA Tour event (the Bob Hope Classic). He was unstoppable.

David Duval is an enigma. As a child he was deeply affected by the death of his brother. So much so, that he blamed himself for his brother’s passing. Duval was a very shy and withdrawn teenager and was even more reserved after finishing his brilliant career at Georgia Tech, where he was a 4-time, All American, before he began playing, for a living.

On Tour he was a loner, who kept quietly to himself and seemed to do anything to avoid the spotlight. You rarely saw footage of Duval without his Oakley sunglasses and while he always answered reporters’ questions politely, you got the feeling that his doing an interview, was for him, right up there with having a root canal.

For the first 4 years on the PGA Tour, Duval came excruciatingly close to winning, before he actually did finishing second, 7 times before breaking through in 1997. Over the next 4 years, he won 13 PGA Tour events, was the Player of the Year, and three times a member of the US Ryder Cup team.

At the dawn of the new millennium, a funny thing happened. David Duval fell in love. Duval married his wife Susie in 2001 and moved to Denver, Colorado. Susie had three children from her first marriage that Duval was soon devoted to. Instead of practicing, he took kids to their soccer games. Instead of doing corporate outings the family went skiing.

And Duval’s golf game hit the slopes. In 2003, he started trying to swing the club differently. Duval’s swing has always had a few quirks, but they were quirks……that worked. In particular his club-face was “shut” at the top of his backswing and he “trapped” the ball (produces a left to right ball-flight).

Duval also became a fitness fanatic. Always a little on the pudgy side, by 2004, he had trimmed down to 170 lbs. and looked, great. In 2004, he made a grand total of one cut, playing in 20 Tour events.

But it didn’t seem to matter because David Duval was perhaps for the first time in his life, truly happy. In 2007, Susie gave birth to their son after a precarious pregnancy and earlier this year, they welcomed their second baby.

Over the ensuing years, he has become something of a novelty. Playing between 15 and 20 tournaments a year, Duval was someone the announcers would talk about when they needed to fill some air time, and was never a competitive threat.

Last year, at the British Open at Royal Birkdale, Duval seemed to re-light the fire of old and after two rounds he was only 3 shots out of the lead. Duval opened his 3rd. round with a triple bogey before ballooning to an 81. So much for the comeback.

Over the last few months, Duval has been telling people that he is “really close” to re-capturing his old form. The scoreboards have not reflected that confidence, with his best finish being a tie for 55th. at Pebble Beach.

Lately, however, it’s not just been Duval that says he is close; but other Tour players, have been hinting that the old Duval might be on his way back. For one thing, his swing resembles the “old Duval” a lot more than the “perfect Duval”, as does his physique.

In the first round at Bethpage, Duval played beautifully and shot a 3-under par, 67. He then started his second round by making 4 bogeys in 5 holes, and you couldn’t help but feel that it was Birkdale all over again. Duval then played almost flawless golf and made 5 birdies in the last twelve holes to finish at 3 under par at the halfway mark. He is in a tie for 4th. place, 5 shots behind third round leader, Ricky Barnes.

There are still 36 holes left to play and it will be in the crucible that is the US Open, but this may be the corner that Duval has been waiting to turn.

As a lifelong avid golfer, Val Weis has enjoyed her share of triumphs and tragedies in this grand pursuit.

Val and her husband Mike came to a school with us in March of this year, and her principal goals were to hit her irons, with more distance and accuracy. They worked with one of Bird Golf’s Senior West Coast instructors, and teacher extraordinaire, Shirley Furlong.

From L-R Val Weis, Shirley Furlong, and Mike Weis

Val has played golf for most of her life and is a good golfer, having a low round of 74 and an 8 handicap. Val’s game, by her own admission, “plateaued” and she knew that she had to make some changes to her swing for her to realize her full potential.

A point of note here should be that it is much harder for someone like Val to make changes than it is for a beginner to learn from scratch. Val is a superb student and during the three days that she spent with Shirley wholeheartedly made the commitment to do what Shirley asked of her.

With her old swing, Val used her arms too much and lost a great deal of power because she did not involve her body during her swing. Her lack of rotation caused her to “steer” or “guide” the ball rather than swing at it. The improvements that Val made were dramatic and even more importantly, Val has stuck to them.

Last Thursday, playing on her home course, Echo Valley Country Club in Norwalk, Iowa, Val realized the fruits of her labor. On the 139 yard, 3rd hole of the Ridge course, using a 5 iron, Val made the most treasured of all golf shots; a hole in one. This was Val’s first ever “ace”, but we are certain that it won’t be her last.

Making the occasion even more special was that Val was playing with her husband, Mike and her sister, Virginia Cox and her brother, Robert Mauer, who were able to share the absolute triumph of her wonderful moment.

True to Val’s tenacity and spirit, she is already looking for her 2nd hole-in-one!  Congratulations, Val, and keep up the great work!

We have just had the privilege of working with an extraordinary person. Someone who came to our golf school to improve their game, and by doing so, taught and inspired, us.

“Twink” Carothers is 85 years young. Mrs. Carothers is a keen golfer who has played for over 20 years, and regularly plays once a week. Her goals were to be able to increase her distance and to learn to pitch, more accurately.

From L-R Sharon Miller, Ellen Kerr and Mrs. Carothers at our magnificent golf school site at the Sedona Golf Resort in Sedona

Mrs. Carothers was joined in the school by her daughter, Ellen Kerr. Over the years, we have had hundreds of Mother/Daughter and Father/Sons schools, but perhaps none was more special, than this.

Ellen Kerr and her Mother, the amazing, “Twink” Carothers

Ellen and Mrs. Carothers spent three days at the Sedona Golf Resort, with Bird Golf’s National Head professional, the incomparable, Sharon Miller.

Mrs. Carothers was a superb student who learned with the appetite of student studying for a Doctorate. She accomplished her goals easily and we look forward to hearing about her success on the links this year. Of greater meaning though, was the lesson that she taught us. We applaud you, Mrs. Carothers, and rejoice in the opportunity to be a part of your golf game. Thank you.

The 2009 Masters was truly one for the ages. It was a Shakespearian drama played out in 3 Acts.

ACT 1. “Remember the Titans”

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson began the final round 7 shots behind over-night leaders, Kenny Perry and Angel Cabrera. For years now, we have yearned for a head to head battle on Sunday of a Major, between the two greatest players in golf. The fact that these two players categorically dislike each other has only heightened the anticipation.

Mickelson was magnificent on the front 9, tying a Masters front nine record by shooting a Midas like, 30. Everything he touched turned to gold as he completely outplayed his arch rival. Perhaps this was to be his day. Although Woods played very well and made the turn in a superb, 33, it was mundane compared to “Lefty”.

Perry was playing a very conservative front 9 as he recorded par after par, steadily holding his lead, but all eyes were on the illustrious pairing 5 holes ahead of him and his playing partner Cabrera.

Standing on the final hole of “Amen Corner”, one shot out of the lead, Mickelson turned into Hamlet, and pulled his 9 iron into the pond that guards the green. Double bogey. His mistake seemed to give life to Woods, who parred, the 12th. and then did what we all, always expect him to do. He began his charge. Tiger birdied 13, 15 and then hit one his magic shots on the par 3, 16th. and made another of his storied 2’s on this devilish short hole.

The two titans stood on the 17th tee, tied with each other at 10 under (still just one shot out of the lead), and we were all thinking the same thing. Which one will be the winner?
And then, the unthinkable happened and Tiger Woods proved that he is indeed mortal, by bogeying both of the last two holes, while Mickelson faltered on the final hole with a bogey of his own.

ACT 2. “The Back 9”

Perry continued playing steady golf and all the right shots. He hit his tee shot on the 12th 35 feet left of the hole, onto the fringe. Cabrera, the 2007, US Open Champion, had played a lot more erratically, and stood two shots behind at 9 under. Perry, who has always been know as a superb driver of the ball, and one of the Tour’s best players, from tee to green, then rolled in the long putt to be at 12 under par and the leader by two.

Chad Campbell, playing in the group immediately in front of the final group, was also playing steady golf. Campbell birdied the par 5’s, 13 & 15 and then parred his last three holes to be in the club-house at 12 under.

Perry and Cabrera both made birdies on the same par fives, so they came to the 16th at 13 and 11 under, respectively. Playing first, Cabrera hit a beautiful shot 14 feet behind the hole. Perry then hit what could have been the shot of the tournament and (like Nicklaus, in his historic victory in 1986) hit his tee shot inches from the hole. Looking into the “Quiet Kentuckian’s” eyes, you could see that he knew, that the Masters, was his to win.

To his credit, Cabrera holed his putt first and made birdie to get to 12 under, but after his tap-in, Perry had a two shot lead with 2 holes to play.

Kenny Perry is an enigma in sports today. He is 48 years old and not a member of the “work-out” brigade. He will also tell you what he thinks and not what, everyone else says. He took all kinds of grief last year, when he said that his major goal, was to make the Ryder Cup team, in his home state of Kentucky. By making that his focus he ignored the Major Championships, but he also won three Tour events and was a leading player in the US team’s, victory at Valhalla.

He is also, recognized as the nicest player on the PGA Tour. He is married to his sixth grade sweetheart, Sandy, and still lives in the tiny Kentucky town of Franklin that he grew up in. He is a gentleman, in a gentleman’s game, and has handled his share of adversity, with grace. Most famously, he continued doing commentary in the announcer’s booth, at the 1996 PGA Championship, instead of hitting balls on the range, before losing in a play-off to Mark Brooks.

The 2009 Masters would be his first Major Championship and cap a wonderful career. All Perry had to do was play the last two holes one over, and the green jacket would be his. He didn’t.

ACT 3. “The Playoff”

After faltering on those last two holes, Perry finished at 12 under and was joined in the 3-man play-off by Campbell and Cabrera.

Perry and Campbell hit perfect tee shots leaving them short irons into the green. Cabrera hit his shot way to the right, into the trees leaving him an impossible second shot. The Swashbuckling Argentinean tried to play a miraculous shot around and under five trees that ricocheted off one of the timbers, straight out into the middle of the fairway. With Perry and Campbell perfectly positioned, though, it seemed to be over for the affable big man.

Perry then hit his approach shot way to the right and Campbell followed suit with an equally poor 7 iron, into the right bunker. Cabrera had new life and hit his wedge shot 8 feet to the right of the hole. Perry played a brilliant chip to make his par and Campbell hit a lovely bunker shot that ran just four feet past the hole. Putting first, Cabrera found the center of the hole, as Perry applauded. Sadly, Campbell missed his short par putt and now there were only two contestants left.

Playing the 10th hole both players hit perfect drives but Perry hit a huge hook on his second shot while Cabrera hit a beautiful approach 16 feet below the hole. Kenny Perry could not pull off a miracle and all Cabrera had to do was two putt, for the victory. He did.

Great plays are supposed to have heroes and villains. Good guys and bad guys. Today was golf theater at its very best but it only produced, heroes.

Angel Cabrera started caddying and earning money to help his family at the age of 10. He comes from an impoverished family background but now that he is a National treasure in his homeland, he has never forgotten his humble roots. He works tirelessly on behalf of children and humanitarian causes and is like Perry, beloved by his peers.

Championship golf demands that there is a victor and a runner-up, and so there was.

One of Life’s saying is that “nice guys finish last”.

Today, nice guys, finished first and second.

Over the first two days of the Masters, there were two remarkable achievements by two players. One of who is at the sunset of his career. The other who is awakening to a blazing sunrise.

Playing in his 52nd and final Masters, which is in of itself, extraordinary, ageless Gary Player shot an incredible, 78 in his first round on Thursday. Gary Player is 73 years old (an interesting coincidence because this is the 73rd. playing of the Masters). Hitting woods into par 4’s that the young players were approaching with wedges and playing with the same drive and tenacity that has defined his brilliant career, Player was simply, marvelous.

His resume reads like no other. Player has won 163 tournaments around the world in his 54 years as a professional golfer. He was the first truly “global” golfer and has logged more travel hours than any other player in history. The “Black Knight” was also the first player to recognize the importance of diet, fitness and training. He can still do 500 push-ups in a single session, and looks not a day older than 50.

Player was the first non-American player to win all four Major Championships (he recorded that feat earlier than Jack Nicklaus did), and remains only one of five players to accomplish that. Playing in the era of Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, they trio were known as “the Big Three”. Always over-shadowed by the more charismatic Palmer, and the more credentialed, Nicklaus, Player has perhaps, never really received his due, for greatness.

He should receive that recognition, now.

Anthony Kim shot 75 in Thursday’s first round. Although he has yet to play (only one Top Ten finish on the PGA Tour, in 2009) well this year, Kim has maintained that his “game was getting better”. After Thursday, one had to wonder if he really meant that.

Two years ago an immature, Kim would have been turned that 75 into a 78 and been packing his bags on Friday night and been petulant in the process. Anthony Kim has learned a lot in two years. He has listened to the advice of his peers about his behavior, attitude and habits (not many 23 year olds have the maturity to do that) and has looked into the mirror rather than looking for excuses.

On Friday, Kim made 11 birdies during his spectacular round of 65 which left him tied for 6th place heading into the weekend. 11 birdies is a record for one round in the 73 year history of golf’s best Major Championship.

Gary Player is a firm believer in the Chinese proverb, that “all things must pass”. As the last lingering rays of sunlight faded across the magnolia trees and the Augusta faithful bid farewell, to one of the games’ icons, we were promised a new day, this morning. Perhaps this is the dawn, that will pass it’s sunrise, to Anthony Kim.

The two best male and female golfers won golf tournaments, this last weekend. One of who is burned in our consciousness permanently; the other is perhaps the most overlooked superstar in the modern era of golf.

In just his third tournament after re-constructive knee surgery last year, Tiger Woods, once again proved that, the unimaginable is routine, for him. Trailing the over-night leader, Sean O’Hair by five strokes entering the last round, Tiger’s dramatic comeback was completed by a thrilling 16 foot putt on the 18^th. hole, at The Arnold Palmer Invitational.

For the second consecutive year, Tiger sunk a putt on the final hole of Arnie’s event, to win by one shot. It was his sixth victory at the tournament. What should be a major concern for all other Tour players is that he did not, by his standards, hit the ball well for 4 days. His short game, however, was one moment of genius after the other. It was very apparent, that while Tiger was not hitting full shots during his rehab, he was working on his short game, a lot (there is a lesson to be learned in that, for all of us).

The “other” best player that won on Sunday (at the LPGA International, in Phoenix, AZ), is not the household name that Mr. Woods is; but here are some statistics for you to consider:

1. The first player in LPGA Tour history to make 1 million dollars in a single season.
2. Two-time, LPGA Player of the Year
3. Qualified for the LPGA Tour AND World Golf, Halls of Fame in 2000
4. Has won a record-7, LPGA Tournaments when coming from behind in the last round
5. Has won 7 Major Championships
6. The winner of 48 tournament worldwide
7. The winner of  35 LPGA Tour events (which ranks 12^th on the all time list in LPGA Tour history)
8. Has the best swing in golf (male or female)

You have probably guessed by now, but all these remarkable accomplishments belong to, Karrie Webb. Webb has never been a “media darling” in large part because she is shy and un-assuming, and she has lived in the very long shadows of Annika Sorenstam for most of that time.

Those shadows have perhaps been comfortable for Webb because it was Sorenstam who has been the “face” of the LPGA Tour for the last decade. Webb has not had to deal with all the demands of being that player, which may have been just fine with her. Karrie Webb much prefers to let her clubs, do the talking.

The following account comes to us from one of our superb students; Max Hillier. Max is a very talented person, on many fronts, but his golf story is remarkable. As you will read below, Max only took up the game 9 months ago and has already achieved a milestone, that golfers who have played for many years, have never achieved. Max has goals to break par, and based on his incredible achievements to date, who would doubt him?

The story below is in Max’s words:

“Last May, sitting in my friend, Frank’s restaurant, Copper Falls, Frank mentioned that he played golf EVERY Tuesday. I flippantly said “Well I would like to play with you guys if you ever have space”…..I mean golf and beer in the Caribbean, gotta be fun right?  Well, about a month later he called and invited me out on Tuesday. I hacked my way around and had a BLAST, and that was how it all began. In short order I bought custom Titleist AP1 irons with a 1 degree club head adjustment and after having my swing speed analyzed in Miami was fitted with X Stiff shafts (Editor’s note: When Max first told us that he had been fitted for such ‘strong’ shafts we were concerned that it was too much shaft for him. After having the chance to see his swing live; Tim though that the shaft may not be; strong enough! Max creates a LOT of club head speed). I was shooting in the 100’s.

I played every Tuesday and started adding in Thursdays and Saturdays, in between sessions on the driving range. In August, I broke 100 and you would have sworn I had just got back from the moon. Then my friends told me that I had talent and should get a few lessons.

Living in the Cayman Islands, this posed a small dilemma; “How do I get the best possible instruction so that I could build on my natural talent and achieve my goal of shooting under par?”

The answer-GOLF SCHOOL-that’s it. I researched a lot of golf schools on-line and determined that, there was only one choice for me; “The ultimate golf learning experience” ® (Bird Golf). After speaking with Jay Ewing, the Director of Instruction, I arranged for a 5 Day one-on-one school in Florida. My teacher was Tim Peightal, who was in one word; extraordinary. Tim took this raw piece of clay and let it spin while gently working with it to turn it into a fine piece of pottery. What an instructor-what an experience-what a great friend.

I got back to Cayman and instantly got worse. However, I knew that what Tim and I had created was an amazingly strong foundation and that all the rest of the building still had to finished. I worked diligently on that foundation (I also kept in regular contact with Tim, via e-mail and phone). I practiced and played as much as time would allow (on average 3 times per week) and reached a personal milestone, at the Bird Golf Invitational in November, by breaking 90 for the first time (on the second day of the tournament, I shot an 85 at Devil’s Claw, one of the two fantastic golf courses at Whirlwind).

On February 12th 2009, I went to play with the lads. It was a Tuesday after all; “wasn’t Tuesday created as the day we should all golf?” And my life changed again….

I felt great. I was well rested and opened my round with clean strikes and making pars. I never once thought about my score but instead focused on each shot, one at a time. I had practiced distance control on my putts and set my goal which was to have 2 putts or less, per hole (I also track my GIR’s (greens in regulation). The putts rolled and some even dropped in! I was no longer thinking about striking the ball but rather, where I wanted to leave this approach to land or where I wanted that chip to go.

And it all just came together. I shot 79!

So after 9 months, a flippant suggestion, new clubs, a golf school, a pro am, 2 golf vacations, a sky caddie and ProV 1’s and X’s - I broke 80!

I am now working on becoming a 70’s guy, which as we all know, should take more time than 100 to 90’s or 90’s to 80’s however, you just never know. I love this game, the people, the friendships, and the places.

I used to say “100 opportunities to create greatness” - now I only have 80 or so.”

Max Hillier
Grand Cayman

The following account comes from Jeff Boucher, who came to a school at Wild Horse Pass in 2008, with Jim Samsing. Jeff is an avid golfer, who plays the game, for all the right reasons. In working with one of our founding professionals, Jim Samsing, Jeff had to change some flaws in his swing, that were not easy to immediately change.

During the last 12 months, Jeff has been diligent in his application of the changes that he made with Jim. He has been in constant contact with Jim (who, Jeff now refers to as “Sensei Samsing”!) and has trusted in the process, that is change and evolution. As you will read below he is now reaping the rewards of all his hard work.

Jeff is also a cancer survivor who has undergone a series of chemotherapy and related procedures. Although his cancer had been in remission, Jeff has battled a recurrence during these last 12 months. Even after having injections in the morning, Jeff would make his way to the driving range, that afternoon. Never once, has Jeff, complained about his burden. Jeff treats each waking hour as an opportunity. His love of Life and Golf, is an inspiration. We are so proud of Jeff and are so much the better, for being allowed, to be a part of his journey.

Jeff reached a great golfing milestone, on Tuesday of this week. He broke 80 for the first time. In Jeff’s words, here is how it happened.

“Hi Jay and Sensei Samsing- Things just clicked yesterday. I was skipping out of work for one of the first sunny afternoons in a long time. All the usual suspects including myself met up at Jefferson (Freddie Couple’s home course growing up) to squeeze in 18 before dark.

The front 9 went reasonably well with only a few bumps on the way to the turn with a 41. Waiting for the 10^th. tee box, I was going thru a few drills “a’la Samsing” when I remembered incorporating a small back knee move in my downswing. Starting with a birdie, I ended up shooting a 36 on the back to break 80 for the first time. I don’t think I missed a putt inside of 10 feet.

Next goal: Break 75 and get to a single digit handicap.

Thanks again guys!”

Jeff, we salute you.

With his second win in as many starts, Camilo Villegas, has definitely ascended to the upper echelon of Tour players.

Villegas won one of the Tour’s marquee events, yesterday by winning the Tour Championship on the first hole of sudden-death with Sergio Garcia. Garcia and Villegas had ended regulation play at 7 under par and one shot ahead of Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim. It was a star studded leader-board.

The enigmatic 26 year old Columbian has everything that you need to become a big star. Villegas is (as my female friends have told me) great looking, dresses with flair, is passionate and most importantly can really play. Villegas has every shot in his repertoire, and the imagination and charisma of a Renaissance artist.

Sure enough, the absence of Tiger Woods has allowed some young players to learn to win, which is ultimately the barometer of greatness. When Tiger returns next year, he will find that some other players who heretofore had perhaps been influenced by his “aura”, may now be less affected by that. The reason is simple; winning creates belief.

2008 has seen the emergence of the following players:

Villegas. Although it took him 85 starts on Tour to win his first event, he has crashed through that barrier to win the last two events. For all the reasons listed above, he is going to be a very big star.

Anthony Kim. 23 year old Kim played another fantastic event and barely missed joining Garcia and Villegas in the playoff (was one shot behind). Following his heroics in last week Ryder Cup and combined with his two wins on the Tour this year, this brilliant young player may eventually be the person that challenges, Mr. Woods.

Sergio Garcia. It is sometimes easy to forget that Garcia is only 28 years old, since he has now been on the world’s stage for 11 years. Garcia was in contention in three of the four Fed Ex play-off tournaments and, lost two of those in play-offs; at the Barclay’s event to Vijay Singh and yesterday to Villegas. Garcia’s big win came earlier this year at the Player’s Championship, but he is showing signs of a new maturity and consistency with his game.

Boo Weekely. Boo may not have the talent of the three players above and at 35 years old he is not a young golfer but he has a genuine charisma and is impossible not to like. Weekley is also one the best ball strikers on Tour and plays without fear. His down home charm, humor and uninhibited joy make Boo, compelling.

When Tiger does return, he may find that these (and other) players have learned that they too, can draw from an “aura” of their own. Should make for some incredible golf.