STATE OF THE GAME | 2014 SEASON
Looking
Forward
The majors in 2013 were great, but 2014 has the potential to be even better. Paul Prendergast assesses the fortunes of Tiger, Phil, Adam and others as they gear up for what could be a season for the ages.
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A deserved major for Stenson would break that particular drought for Sweden and the Scandinavian nations in general, guaranteeing a home reaction equivalent to the joy experienced in Australia for Scott’s win when he broke the country’s duck at in Georgia last year. Woods turned 38 just after Christmas but after his five-win, PGA Tour ‘Player of the Year’ season he will surely be feeling confident of adding to his 14 major championship haul – and clinging to the top ranking in the game. His major drought extends way back to that US Open play-off win over Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines in 2008, but Woods will feel like he has a home-field advantage in 2014, having claimed majors at three of the four venues to be played and been pipped at the post on more than one occasion in US Opens at Pinehurst's formidable No 2 course. "I've won at three of the four venues – Augusta National, Valhalla Golf Club and Royal Liverpool – and on Pinehurst No 2, I'm trending the right way," said Woods recently, citing his third place finish at the 1999 US Open and a second to Michael Campbell in 2005 in North Carolina. "But I still need to practice, work, grind and prepare, and have my game come together those four times a year, and I hope that will happen." Woods has had his naysayers who have written off any chance of him adding to his career tally
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iger Woods ended the 2013 season at the head of the Official World Golf Rankings, but the footsteps from behind are getting ever louder, threatening to turn the opening months of the 2014 season into a contest for the top spot – a situation more customarily seen in the women’s game over the past few years. Courtesy of their end of season exploits, many would argue the battle for the mantle of 'Best player in the World’ is actually being waged by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and Australia’s Adam Scott. Stenson’s form in the latter half of 2013 was beyond brilliant – he became the first player to win the FedEx Cup/Race to Dubai double on either side of the Atlantic – but Scott’s four-week performance under the intense glare of an adoring public on his return home to Australia as Masters champion was exceptional too. There is no impediment for either player to again contend strongly in the majors in 2014. Scott has been a feature in almost every major for a number of years now and his game and comfort levels when in contention only continue to gather momentum. A successful defence at Augusta National would be a short odds bet, a multiplemajor season would not surprise at all for the current world number two. 50
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2013 Player of the Year Tiger Woods has a brilliant record over the courses that host this year’s major championships – Augusta National, Pinehurst No 2, Royal Liverpool and Valhalla
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Mickelson has publically stated that he will be planning his entire 2014 schedule to attempt to peak at Pinehurst for his chance at history and what would be a truly remarkable moment in the sport if he can pull it off.
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but if Phil Mickelson can win on the links of Scotland at the age of 43, does anyone really want to bet their house that Woods has lifted his last major trophy? Woods is also just three wins shy of tying Sam Snead’s record of 82 all-time PGA Tour career victories, a record that Woods seems destined to claim as his own before turning 40. To say the interest in the US Open will be at fever pitch is probably understating the hoopla we’ll witness in the lead up to Mickelson’s bid to win the title in June and with it, the career Grand Slam. Pinehurst was the venue for the late Payne Stewart’s victory over Mickelson in 1999, where Stewart clasped Mickelson’s face on the final green to commiserate but to also tell him "You’re going to be a father", as Mickelson’s wife Amy was due their first child any day. Mickelson has publically stated that he will be planning his entire 2014 schedule to attempt to peak at Pinehurst for his chance at history and 52
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what would be a truly remarkable moment in the sport if he can pull it off. "It would mean a lot to me to have it take place in that setting. That close call there, when my good friend Payne Stewart made that putt and said those emotional things to me," said Mickelson. "To come back and possibly win my first US Open there, I don’t even know how to say how important that would be." Outside the majors and focus on the ‘MickelSlam’, Europe will be defending another Ryder Cup, this time at Gleneagles in Scotland, and we will welcome the new EurAsia Cup to the schedule, pitting Asia v Europe in a Ryder Cupstyle format in Malaysia this March. We will watch with baited breath and almost a sense of inevitability to see if newly turned professional Lydia Ko can continue on her winning way and claim the No 1 ranking in women’s golf. The 17-year old won in just her second start since turning pro to add to her already incredible career record and has wasted little time changing not only her bank balance, but signing with IMG and sensationally sacking both her caddie and long-time coach. David Leadbetter has been given the licence to guide Ko as she aims to bridge the narrow gap between herself and Imbee Park, Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis at the top of the game. Will Rory McIlroy’s win at the Australian HKGOLFER.COM
Open in November kick start another incredible season for the hugely talented but often distracted Ulsterman? The New Year’s Day announcement of his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki should add to his positive vibe after what appeared, from the outside at least to be a tempestuous relationship in 2013. Is a major at last in store for Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald or maybe another ‘feel good’ story for someone like Steve Stricker or Lee Westwood? And then there’s Jordan Spieth and the dreaded ‘Second Year Syndrome’, which in his case might just be something that happens to everyone else; the continual rise of the Asian players headed by Hideki Matsuyama and Kiradech Aphibarnrat; and the prospect of more controversies that could erupt in 2014 after the sagas we witnessed over the past 12 months or so: Vijay Singh versus the PGA Tour, Sergio v Tiger, Tiger and a few rules issues and the increasing incidences of regrettable social media use. Roll on 2014. Clockwise from top: Phil Mickelson will be desperate to complete the “MickelSlam” with victory at the US Open; look for Lydia Ko to continue her brilliant form in 2014; Adam Scott featured prominently in all the majors last year HKGOLFER.COM
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