With Zach Johnson's playoff victory in the Open Championship, another major golf tournamant has come and gone, leaving some of the top golfers outside looking in at golf's elusive club. Sergio Garcia showed flashes of possibility in the final round, but once again came up short. It's hard to believe that after giving Tiger Woods all he could handle in the 1999 PGA Championship, we would find ourselves almost sixteen years later questioning whether the dynamic Spaniard has what it takes to win a major.
It's not just Garcia, but Luke Donald is in the same boat. The former number one player in the world is now 37 years old, an age after which most golfers fail to close out major tournaments with victories. The biggest problem Donald has is his lack of distance off the tee, which puts him at a distinct disadvantage, especially against the younger, more athletic players now emerging onto the tour.
Lee Westwood, who turned 42 in April, is looking like a player whose best major chances are behind him. After dedicating himself to better physical training and practice a few years ago, it looked like he was poised to break through. But it just hasn't happened, and the sand is rapidly diminishing in the hourglass.
And finally, one of the more likable and affable guys on any tour and another 37 year-old, Matt Kuchar is still trying to win a big one. He's won seven times on tour and his game would appear to fit Augusta and most U.S. Open venues rather nicely. A straight and long driver with a pretty good iron game, Kuchar probably stands the best chance among this quartet to capture a major. But for all of them, time is definitely growing short.
Don't forget to check out my new book, "Roughing the Passer - A PK Frazier Novel" and my first, "Illegal Procedure - A PK Frazier Novel", available in print and e-formats at Amazon.com, iBooks and Smashwords. The third installment, "Offsetting Penalties" is due out in the fall.
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