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 BY ROB LYON AND ERIC MARSON Indeed, there were plenty of reasons to think that the second week in June would be an unforgettable one for Southland golf fans. But the main reason we were looking forward to San Diego hosting the national championship mostly had to do with our golf idol, Tiger Woods, who grew up in Cypress just a few stoplights from our hometown of Buena Park. And, as sure as he’ll one day surpass Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 major championships, Woods did not disappoint. On his way to his 14th major title, the game’s greatest competitor overcame physical pain, a two-month layoff, double-bogeying the first hole three times during the week, erratic drives and the affable Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff to win what is already being canonized as one of the greatest majors in recent history. We expected nothing less — Woods has a penchant for rising to the dramatic occasion, and his dominance at Torrey Pines is well documented. Magic was in the air from the moment Tiger stepped on the course — and that magic grew to fever pitch on the back nine Saturday, when he put on a show like no other by pulling rabbit after rabbit out of his Nike hat. One of us watched from the course, thanks to a media credential that allowed inside-the-ropes access; the other watched from his South Orange County living room. But what we held in common, along with the ever-increasing number of television viewers, was the experience of watching one of the most gifted and driven athletes in history continue to craft a legendary path through the record books. The victory was so inspiring and amazing that even the announcement following the Open’s dramatic finish that Woods’ knee was so bad he’d have to undergo surgery again and miss the rest of the 2008 season didn’t sting as much as it could have. And we have one of the most courageous major championship performances ever to thank for that. So, we’d officially like to thank Tiger Woods for an amazing week, for showing us that champions are made and not born, and for continuing to push the envelope in terms of athletic performance. We also want to say thanks to Tiger for serving as a reminder that he is a truly special athlete, a reminder that we are fortunate to be fans of the game when its standard bearer is a certifiable legend, and, soberingly, a reminder that he won’t always be here. For the next six months, at least, the golf world doesn’t have Tiger Woods. But rather than fret about it, it’s a chance to take the time to really savor and appreciate what he’s done — and what he most likely will continue to do. He’s living history — and we all have the opportunity of watching it unfold before our eyes. SG |
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