The beginning of another professional golf year stirs the mind in reflection of what happened last year and the anticipation of what will be the key story lines as the new season unfolds. This year, perhaps more than any other in recent memory, sparks my imagination!
We saw many new stars shine on the PGA Tour in 2011 and do marvelous things. Keegan Bradley, a rookie, wins his first major championship. Are you kidding me?!! Charl Schwartzel, out of nowhere, wins the coveted Green Jacket. Rory McIlroy’s dominating victory at the U.S. Open after his collapse at the Masters only two months earlier. Then there was veteran Darren Clarke taking the Claret Jug home in perhaps the most emotional victory of 2011 and let’s not forget the unbelievable chip shot by Bill Haas at East Lake in Atlanta to win the Tour Championship and unknowingly in the moment, the Fed Ex Cup as well.
2011 saw a host of newcomers entering the winners’ circle joining Bradley—they were Jhonattan Vegas (The Bob Hope), D.A. Points (The AT&T), Gary Woodland (Transitions), Martin Laird (The Arnold Palmer), Brendan Steele (Velaro Texas), Harrison Frazar (FedEx St. Jude), Chris Kirk (True South Classic), Scott Piercy (Reno-Tahoe), Kevin Na (The Justin Timberlake), and Bryce Molder (The Frys.com). That’s an impressive list and I believe the most first-time winners on the PGA Tour since 1993!!!
We saw some veterans cement their hold on the game – Luke Donald emerging as the #1 player on the planet, David Toms winning again, Steve Stricker continuing his brilliance and K.J. Choi prevailing at The Players.
My mind wonders about Tiger – can he regain his form and challenge Jack’s records? Is Phil ready to rebound from a sub-par year? Can Furyk shake-off his putting woes and perhaps win another Major? Can VJ at age 49 show us that age is just a number?
Questions, questions and more questions. Will Lee Westwood finally take home a Major to solidify him as one of this generation’s great players? Will Donald win one to enhance his resume? How about Adam Scott? Dustin Johnson? Nick Watney? The list goes on and on. One thing is for sure, someone who is not even on our radar will break through and shine in 2012. I can’t wait to see who it is!
Finally, the most compelling story to me developing in 2012 is that of Erik Compton. The two-time heart transplant recipient won his Tour card by virtue of finishing in the Top 25 money winners on the Nationwide Tour last year. He is front and center for me in the rooting section. There could be no greater story if he was to somehow win an event this year. What obstacles he has had to overcome and continues to have to overcome in his daily living, let alone trying to compete with the greatest golfers in the world. It is the #1 storyline for me in 2012. What’s your #1 story for the year and what in a perfect world would you like to see? Let me know and keep the ball in the air!