The PGA Tour has reached the mid-season mark, we’re halfway done but the biggest events are yet to come — The U.S. Open, Open Championship, PGA, Olympics and Ryder Cup. It’s a compressed schedule, fouled up by the Olympics.
The event that may be the most anticipated, most speculated and the biggest question mark surrounds the impending return of Tiger Woods. He is hitting balls at The Medalist, even hitting drivers. Guess here is that he’ll be back before the U.S. Open and if not, the Open Championship. The speculation will start to over-ride everything in the world of golf.
So as we contemplate Tiger’s return, let’s look at and grade what has transpired through the first half of the season.
World’s Top 10:
1: Jason Day: B — Really looking vulnerable after his two-win run going into the Masters. Looked very ordinary at Augusta, totally out of gas at Hilton Head. Needs to figure out how to peak at the right time.
2: Jordan Spieth: C — Could have changed this to an “A” had it not been for the 12th hole at Augusta. That’s two blown majors thanks to seven-foot par putts. One at the Road Hole at St. Andrews last year and the second at the 11th on Sunday at Augusta. Hard to tell what’s in store for him in the second half. Will he win a major?
3: Rory McIlroy: C minus — Needs to find a putting stroke that works.
4: Bubba Watson: B — “B” is for Bubba. Didn’t fare well in the major that suits him best.
5: Rickie Fowler: C — What’s up with the 80 at the Masters? Come on Rickie!
6: Henrik Stenson: C — Could win on a regular basis if no one was allowed to hit drivers.
7: Adam Scott: A — peaked too soon but who expected him to win twice this year? Good on ‘ya mate!
8: Dustin Johnson: D — As in “D” J. Best player in the world when there is no pressure.
9: Danny Willett: A plus — Newcomer to the Top 10 and newcomers to the club of major champions.
10: Justin Rose: C — Hasn’t shown up yet.
Tournaments:
The Masters: A plus, plus, plus. Doesn’t get any better than that, neither does the setting. Once again showed why it is not only golf’s premier event, it is one of the world’s premier events.
WGC Match Play: D minus. Horrible. Would someone please get rid of this and if not, at least get rid of the consolation match. Let ’em arm-wrestle for third.
First Time Winners: Branden Grace, Danny Willett, Jim Herman, Tony Finau, Kevin Kisner, Peter Malnati, Justin Thomas, Russell Knox, Smylie Kaufman and Emiliano Grillo. Congrats! Willett already has his grade, the rest get an “A”.
Comeback Kids:
Vaughn Taylor: A — A winner once again.
Jason Dufner: A — starting to get rid of a few demons.
Others of Note:
Phil Mickelson: C — Stop telling us how good you’re swing is and start proving it.
Jim Furyk: Incomplete. Still on the sidelines after wrist surgery.
That will just about do it for now.
Players Championship in May, U.S. Open in June, Open Championship in July and PGA just two weeks after the Open Championship.
The Olympics? Blah!
Ryder Cup, yes.
FedEx Payoffs? Thank goodness for football!
