Open opportunity for golfing ‘warlords’
Can deposed golfing king Tiger Woods regain his Open crown or will one of the sport’s “warlords” emerge from the shadows? Ben Monro-Davies takes a look.
Long periods of stable rule are often followed by similar periods of disorder. The Arab spring has brought degrees of chaos as well as freedom. And ever since Tiger Woods ploughed into a fire hydrant, prompting a personal and career car crash of far greater proportions, golf has lived through a period of post-dictatorship confusion.
Before his postnuptial disagreements, Tiger won around two of golfs four majors every year. But his last major win was in 2008. And who has profited from the fall of king? No one player, instead a large bunch of golfing warlords have fought it out in the Tiger void.
Since Tiger’s last conquest, 15 different players have won majors. The last nine have been won by first time winners. Keegan Bradley won the USPGA last year, his very first major. This is a streak of golfing democracy without precedent.
Traditionally the majors have been shared out amongst titans, with the odd demigod sneaking his moment on the mountain top. In the sixties it was Nicklaus, Palmer and Player. As Palmer aged, Trevino arrived. Then Watson.
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The eighties saw a global cast as the game grew beyond its Anglo-Saxon roots. The British Faldo and Australian Norman traded trophies with the German Langer and the Spanish Seve Ballesteros.
Then came Tiger, then a free for all. And what for Royal Lytham where the Open returns tomorrow?
The form suggests a new winner. This in no way means it will be a total outsider. The world number one Luke Donald has never won a major, indeed rarely plays well at golf’s big four championships. He’s taken to consulting major maestros Faldo and Nicklaus to find out what he lacks. Ex-number one Lee Westwood also carries the “best player never to win a major” moniker on his back. His quest has forced him to relocate from his native Notts to the US in an effort to boost his chances.
And who could break the run of nine consecutive first time winners? Look no further than the deposed king, Tiger Woods. He’s been winning again, and should he do so at the Open, will return to the number one spot. That’s normally how disorder ends, with the return of a tried and tested strongman.