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I'm not a big golf fan, just a fan of Irish sports.Irish golfer Padraig Harrington won the British Open a few weeks ago and won the PGA championship yesterday. This is cool because last time I looked at the standings on Saturday, he was 19th (dropped from 12th the previous day)Go Ireland! (now let's see some Olympic medals too)
He has stepped up this year in Tiger's absence. When you think about it, kids in other countries of the world might by default head to soccer fields, basketball courts in alleyways, or baseball fields in parks. But in Ireland there's probably a greater tradition of hitting the links.
Scotland's courses are the oldest links in history – they were born out of the rough seaside dunes some 600 hundred years ago. Every one regrets Tiger's injury. On the other hand, he has set the bar. If he can't come back, the bar is lowered, because nobody can possibly meet the height previously attained.
If Harrington wins one more Major this year, he'll tie Tiger's record for most wins in one year. Doesn't sound at all like the bar's been lowered. IMO, Tiger's star is fading while Padraig's is rising, because he's gotten better and more consistent every year.
Agree, I do not. Harrington, while talented, can only hope to catch the Tiger, while the latter's knee heals. Let him out of the penalty box, and the Tiger will roar again.Padraig may be the next great one, but there are far too many hungry youngsters to bet on.I will condede this, however; TW has inspired countless young ball strikers, and established a new norm - following the Tiger, as I believe many young players will, which will lead to redesigning many golf courses to meet the imporved players and equipment.If he never plays professionally again, Tiger Woods has raised the standard for physical fittness and hard work. Professional golf will just get tougher, and better.
