The USPGA produced the best climax in the 4 Majors of 2009. South Korea's amazing performance playing head to head with the petulant Tiger Woods, over the closing holes was something to remember for a very long time, especially his brilliant chip in for eagle on the 14th and the staggering hybrid shot over the trees at 18 and his curvy putt for birdie to finish. There is no doubt that he out-tigered Tiger Woods over the closing round playing head to head.
This was the most refreshing victory I recall in a Major, such fresh faced joy and exuberance from Asia's new rising star at many times during the last round, when he kept engaged with the massive TV Media coverage, waving and smiling at the cameras.
This is massive for golf in Asia and there is bound to be very a big explosion in the men's game, not just in South Korea, but all Asian countries and it is ironic that it took another Asian to beat Tiger, whose mother is from Thailand.
To be honest I do not understand why Tiger gets away with his behaviour, his demeanour in the final holes during round 4 was at times a disgrace, it is time the commentators said he needs to realise he has no divine right to win Majors and he needs to be less petulant and more courteous to his fellow competitors. When he missed his putt for par on the 17th, he let out at least three expletives in front of the cameras "f..k" in any other individual sport like tennis that would have been a large fine and a warning, but for Tiger, seemingly no comment from the SKY Team and no ticking off from the US PGA officials. Why is Tiger the only man to be caught constantly spitting in front of the cameras, but no-one ever says anything, he is apparently beyond reproach. For me I have had enough of his way of competing and if he does not win another Major, I will have no sorrow at all. For me, he has won enough, let Jack Nicklaus remain the record holder - a man who had so much more grace and cameraderie with his opponents.
At the OPEN at Turnberry, my home course, Tiger could not be seen on any of the practice days unless you got to the course at 06.30 - 09.00, starving thousands of spectators of his presence, I was not upset at all that he failed to tame the Ailsa and was over joyed to see Tom Watson be the star player of the week defying his age. Meanwhile, YE Yang will hopefully be the first of many young stars from the far side of the globe to take on the Tiger and clinch crucial wins like this one, lets hope some of our own tigers like Westwood and Fisher can start losing their fear of the ultimate achievement - putting Tiger into second place. Poor old Harrington, two weeks running he runs up a pulverising 8 on the final round, to put hours and hours of preparation into the shade. He is made of steely stuff, as he has proved over the last 2 years, but can he bounce back again and win a fourth major in 2010? If he does it will be an amazing achievement.
One last thought - where was Tiger at the final prize-giving last night, conspicous by his absence, seemed very strange he was not there.
