Top Ten Golf Moments of the Decade
Tiger Domination
Tiger Woods was golf in the 2000’s. He pulled off the Tiger Slam in 2000/2001 and proceeded to reign supreme
through most of the decade. His 2008 U.S. Open victory will be one for the ages. His heroics during that
tournament included winning on a broken leg and a blown out knee…very impressive to say the least. In all, he
racked up 56 PGA victories, including 12 majors, and he was PGA Tour Player of the Year 8 times in the
decade.
Annika Domination
The female version of Tiger during the 2000’s was Annika Sorenstam. Unlike Tiger, she seemed to have some
competition regarding her claim to being the greatest in the game…at least for a portion of the decade. In all, she
had 54 LPGA Tour victories including 8 major championships. She was player of the year from 2001-2005.
Other highlights include her becoming the only female golfer to record a tournament round of 59, which she did in
2001. At the conclusion of the 2008 season, she decided to “step away from the game” to focus on her family.
Michelle Wie hits the scene
The hottest thing to hit the golfing scene for the first time in the 2000’s was Michelle Wie. In 2000, at age 10, she
became the youngest player ever to qualify for the US Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship. In 2002,
she became the youngest women ever to qualify for an LPGA event when she won the Hawaii State Women’s
Open by 13 shots at age 12. In 2003 at the age of 13, she became the youngest women ever to make an LPGA
cut…which she did at a major (The Kraft Nabisco Championship). Later that same year, she won the Women’s
Amateur Public Links Championship…making her the youngest winner ever. And then in 2003, she made the cut
at the US Women’s Open…again the youngest player ever to do that. In 2004, she became the youngest women
ever to compete in the Curtis Cup. In 2005, she qualified for the MEN’S US Amateur Public Links by tying for first
place in the 36 hole qualifier. She turned Pro in late 2005, but since LPGA rules stipulate that a member must be
18 she played limited events in the LPGA on sponsors exemptions…but she also played in PGA events on similar
exemptions. By 2006, she was ranked 2nd in the world in the Rolex World Golf Rankings. In 2006 (age 16), she
made a cut in a men’s tournament in South Korea. Additionally in 2006, she was a medalist in the US Men’s Open
qualifier, finished 5th at the LPGA Championship, and 3rd at the US Women’s Open. Rules mishaps and injuries
plagued her for the remainder of 2006 all the way until December 2008 when she passed the LPGA’s Q-School.
2009, Wie’s official rookie year on the LPGA Tour at the age of 19, saw her win her first LPGA Tournament and
go undefeated during Solheim Cup competition and earn team Most Valuable Player honors.
Golf battles with technology
Throughout the decade scientists and golf equipment companies continued to increase the length the golf ball
could be hit, increase the control of the golf ball, improve the distance estimation to specific targets on the
course, and the like. In light of this, our classic golf courses have been altered to try to defend par and, in many
people’s opinions, they have been ruined. This battle between golfers wanting to achieve lower scores and the
golf courses themselves seems to be altering the very fabric of the game and its historical roots.
Poor Sportsmanship
When watching replays of “old school” golf tournaments it seems to me that while on the course the behavior of
the competitors was nothing but first class. Earnest handshakes at the end of matches, competitors joking with
one another, critical short match play putts conceded, and the fiercest of rivals walking arm in arm off the course
after major championships. But nowadays, well…let’s just say it is a bit different. Clubs are thrown frequently
during live tournament action, “in your face” screams and fist pumps are executed after crucial putts are made,
audible swearing and cursing on the course is prolific, and, yes, competitors have actually been caught on
camera spitting in the cup during tournament play. It is my opinion that sportsmanship is at an all-time low in the
game. I sincerely hope that someone can right the ship and return the game to its gentlemanly nature.
Minimalism takes hold
In golf course design, Robert Trent Jones ushered in the era of the sky is the limit regarding golf course
construction. He used heavy earthmoving equipment to make the land fit his idea of what specific golf courses
should look like. During his time in the sun, he made this standard operating procedure in the industry. However,
in the last decade minimalism seems to have taken hold of the golf course design world. Architects, like Tom
Doak and Bill Coore, seem to take pride in moving very limited amounts of earth and making their course fit the
natural contours of the land. This is more in-line with the “Golden Age” of golf course design’s ideology…perhaps
this is more in-line with the very nature of the game.
Phil wins a Major
It seems like it took forever for the world’s second best player (at least for the bulk of the decade) to finally
remove the moniker of “the best player to never win a major” from his resume. But Phil Mickelson finally did it in
2004 when he sank an 18 foot putt to win The Masters. This breakthrough set off a mini-run by Mr. Mickelson
that saw him win 3 majors and The Players Championship in 3 year window.
Tom Watson’s miracle run
The final British Open of the decade saw a 5 time Open Champion make a run at history. Although Tom Watson,
wound up missing a putt on the 72nd hole that would have made him the oldest Open Champion ever…he still
gave the entire world 4 days of tremendous joy. Not only was his play incredible, but his class, dignity, and
respect were second to none during the highs and the lows of that nearly historical tournament. As it was in
direct contrast to the lack of class and sportsmanship demonstrated throughout the decade, Mr. Watson’s run
was quite a welcome event.
Paddy Harrington emerges
Throughout the decade, an Irish golfer named Padraig Harrington continued to climb up the World Golf Rankings
until one day in 2007 he finally broke through and became a major champion. On his fateful day, he beat Sergio
Garcia in a playoff on one of the hardest golf courses in the world, Carnoustie. He followed up his 2007 title with
another Open crown in 2008 at Royal Birkdale, which was followed by a PGA Championship a month later. In
addition to being a tremendous golfer, Mr. Harrington carries himself with the utmost class and he is worthy of the
title “Champion Golfer”, whether he is the actual reigning champion or not.
YE Yang wins a major
Just as the decade was ushered in with Tiger Woods embarking on the “Tiger Slam”, it was concluded with him
finally losing a major after holding the 54 hole lead. In the 2009 PGA, Y.E. Yang became the first player to take
down a tournament leading Tiger on the final day of a major championship. Additionally, Mr. Yang became the
first Asian born man to become a major champion. Whether or not Y.E. becomes a Hall of Fame caliber golfer is
irrelevant, his win was historic for two crucial reasons and perhaps will pave the way for the men’s game to thrive
in Asia.
Tiger Domination
Tiger Woods was golf in the 2000’s. He pulled off the Tiger Slam in 2000/2001 and proceeded to reign supreme
through most of the decade. His 2008 U.S. Open victory will be one for the ages. His heroics during that
tournament included winning on a broken leg and a blown out knee…very impressive to say the least. In all, he
racked up 56 PGA victories, including 12 majors, and he was PGA Tour Player of the Year 8 times in the
decade.
Annika Domination
The female version of Tiger during the 2000’s was Annika Sorenstam. Unlike Tiger, she seemed to have some
competition regarding her claim to being the greatest in the game…at least for a portion of the decade. In all, she
had 54 LPGA Tour victories including 8 major championships. She was player of the year from 2001-2005.
Other highlights include her becoming the only female golfer to record a tournament round of 59, which she did in
2001. At the conclusion of the 2008 season, she decided to “step away from the game” to focus on her family.
Michelle Wie hits the scene
The hottest thing to hit the golfing scene for the first time in the 2000’s was Michelle Wie. In 2000, at age 10, she
became the youngest player ever to qualify for the US Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship. In 2002,
she became the youngest women ever to qualify for an LPGA event when she won the Hawaii State Women’s
Open by 13 shots at age 12. In 2003 at the age of 13, she became the youngest women ever to make an LPGA
cut…which she did at a major (The Kraft Nabisco Championship). Later that same year, she won the Women’s
Amateur Public Links Championship…making her the youngest winner ever. And then in 2003, she made the cut
at the US Women’s Open…again the youngest player ever to do that. In 2004, she became the youngest women
ever to compete in the Curtis Cup. In 2005, she qualified for the MEN’S US Amateur Public Links by tying for first
place in the 36 hole qualifier. She turned Pro in late 2005, but since LPGA rules stipulate that a member must be
18 she played limited events in the LPGA on sponsors exemptions…but she also played in PGA events on similar
exemptions. By 2006, she was ranked 2nd in the world in the Rolex World Golf Rankings. In 2006 (age 16), she
made a cut in a men’s tournament in South Korea. Additionally in 2006, she was a medalist in the US Men’s Open
qualifier, finished 5th at the LPGA Championship, and 3rd at the US Women’s Open. Rules mishaps and injuries
plagued her for the remainder of 2006 all the way until December 2008 when she passed the LPGA’s Q-School.
2009, Wie’s official rookie year on the LPGA Tour at the age of 19, saw her win her first LPGA Tournament and
go undefeated during Solheim Cup competition and earn team Most Valuable Player honors.
Golf battles with technology
Throughout the decade scientists and golf equipment companies continued to increase the length the golf ball
could be hit, increase the control of the golf ball, improve the distance estimation to specific targets on the
course, and the like. In light of this, our classic golf courses have been altered to try to defend par and, in many
people’s opinions, they have been ruined. This battle between golfers wanting to achieve lower scores and the
golf courses themselves seems to be altering the very fabric of the game and its historical roots.
Poor Sportsmanship
When watching replays of “old school” golf tournaments it seems to me that while on the course the behavior of
the competitors was nothing but first class. Earnest handshakes at the end of matches, competitors joking with
one another, critical short match play putts conceded, and the fiercest of rivals walking arm in arm off the course
after major championships. But nowadays, well…let’s just say it is a bit different. Clubs are thrown frequently
during live tournament action, “in your face” screams and fist pumps are executed after crucial putts are made,
audible swearing and cursing on the course is prolific, and, yes, competitors have actually been caught on
camera spitting in the cup during tournament play. It is my opinion that sportsmanship is at an all-time low in the
game. I sincerely hope that someone can right the ship and return the game to its gentlemanly nature.
Minimalism takes hold
In golf course design, Robert Trent Jones ushered in the era of the sky is the limit regarding golf course
construction. He used heavy earthmoving equipment to make the land fit his idea of what specific golf courses
should look like. During his time in the sun, he made this standard operating procedure in the industry. However,
in the last decade minimalism seems to have taken hold of the golf course design world. Architects, like Tom
Doak and Bill Coore, seem to take pride in moving very limited amounts of earth and making their course fit the
natural contours of the land. This is more in-line with the “Golden Age” of golf course design’s ideology…perhaps
this is more in-line with the very nature of the game.
Phil wins a Major
It seems like it took forever for the world’s second best player (at least for the bulk of the decade) to finally
remove the moniker of “the best player to never win a major” from his resume. But Phil Mickelson finally did it in
2004 when he sank an 18 foot putt to win The Masters. This breakthrough set off a mini-run by Mr. Mickelson
that saw him win 3 majors and The Players Championship in 3 year window.
Tom Watson’s miracle run
The final British Open of the decade saw a 5 time Open Champion make a run at history. Although Tom Watson,
wound up missing a putt on the 72nd hole that would have made him the oldest Open Champion ever…he still
gave the entire world 4 days of tremendous joy. Not only was his play incredible, but his class, dignity, and
respect were second to none during the highs and the lows of that nearly historical tournament. As it was in
direct contrast to the lack of class and sportsmanship demonstrated throughout the decade, Mr. Watson’s run
was quite a welcome event.
Paddy Harrington emerges
Throughout the decade, an Irish golfer named Padraig Harrington continued to climb up the World Golf Rankings
until one day in 2007 he finally broke through and became a major champion. On his fateful day, he beat Sergio
Garcia in a playoff on one of the hardest golf courses in the world, Carnoustie. He followed up his 2007 title with
another Open crown in 2008 at Royal Birkdale, which was followed by a PGA Championship a month later. In
addition to being a tremendous golfer, Mr. Harrington carries himself with the utmost class and he is worthy of the
title “Champion Golfer”, whether he is the actual reigning champion or not.
YE Yang wins a major
Just as the decade was ushered in with Tiger Woods embarking on the “Tiger Slam”, it was concluded with him
finally losing a major after holding the 54 hole lead. In the 2009 PGA, Y.E. Yang became the first player to take
down a tournament leading Tiger on the final day of a major championship. Additionally, Mr. Yang became the
first Asian born man to become a major champion. Whether or not Y.E. becomes a Hall of Fame caliber golfer is
irrelevant, his win was historic for two crucial reasons and perhaps will pave the way for the men’s game to thrive
in Asia.
back to
Intro
Intro