Who Would Win “The Ultimate Major”?
The debate about who is the Worlds Greatest golfer is of course always hotly contested and always will be. In the video above we get two different view points and now, I am going to weigh in with mine.
Firstly, I had to grapple with what exactly are we looking for when we say the “worlds best golfer”. In the video, one member picks Westwood on current form while another picks Woods on past form and future form. This is all a little confusing so to make it a bit more clear in everyone’s mind and to get that brain of yours working into overdrive, here is the scenario:
Tomorrow morning, every male professional golfer will tee it up in a competition, lets call it “The Ultimate Major”. There will be 4 consecutive rounds with one each played on what I consider some of the best courses in the world: Augusta, Carnoustie, Pebble Beach and Sawgrass. If you can correctly pick the winner, you stand to win $100,000, if you fail to pick the winner, you lose, lets say, your house. So, with that in mind, you really need to now consider just who would you bet your house on? Who in your mind, is the best golfer in the world? Who will net you $100,000? Well, if it’s my money and my house, there are only 5 men Im considering:
Lee Westwood: If there is one man in the world right now that has to come into your reckoning, it is Westwood. His record isn’t one that simply includes European wins, he is a multiple international winner. There is little doubt either that from tee to green right now, he is the most solid trust worthy player on tour. His chipping remains weak although it has improved and despite some still lackluster days on the greens, his putting has come on along way in the past few years also. The big question with Westwood is that being in contention is simply not good enough in our case here. Each way doesn’t cut and unfortunately, Westwood’s ability to close out majors is in question and something I have to consider too.
Tiger Woods: Who could argue with his past record and his ability to win tournaments that seemed beyond his reach. Time and time again, the Tiger Woods of old would hit irons shots to pins barely legal, produce chip shots that were barely imaginable and hold putts that seemed barely hole-able. He was, and still is according to the rankings, the undisputed world number 1. However, a lot has happened in a year. Before, he was the game of golf, he seemingly wrote the rules and you were either with him, or you were simply out….end of story! Now, the spotlight is focused on his behavior and every minute detail and move he makes is rightly scrutinized. His golf as a result is suffering. His driving is average at best (I am being nice here) and all of a sudden the hole has gone from being the size of a bucket to the size of an egg cup holder. Heck, somedays he must wonder does the hole just keep moving on him with the amount he is missing. And so, here is my dilemma, do I really think Tiger can get it around Carnoustie and Pebble Beach especially without getting into trouble once too often? I know he can be there or thereabouts but can he maintain that level of consistency for 72 holes? Add to the fact we know already he tends to struggle at the British Open when the wind picks up.
Phil Mickelson: I don’t think there is anyone on the world who wouldn’t cheer if Mickelson dethroned tiger as World number 1. Not only because he is such a likable, genuine role model but also because of his cavalier approach to the game. He knows nothing but attack and he thrills audiences the world over with this style. If Mickelson is in contention in any tournament, it is always worth tuning in to watch because you never know whats coming next. Of course, we all know that his particular weakness is his erratic driving, made up somewhat by without doubt the best short game in the business. There is no one, absolutely no one better or more imaginative around the greens than Mickelson. The worrying part though, in addition to the driving is his putting. He really has struggled for the past few years with the short stick and for now, the inconsistencies show no signs of letting up. Weighing it all up, we know Mickelson will be in contention in Augusta, Sawgrass is manageable too and perhaps Pebble Beach, but what of Carnoustie? Could you imagine Mickelson being tied for the lead with Westwood, Woods, Els and McIlroy on a windy final day at Carnoustie and your house is on the line. I myself would be a nervous wreck because every time that driver gets pulled out of the bag, its shut your eyes and pray time. Could he really hold it together for the entire 72 holes?
Ernie Els: The big Easy and another of golfs more likable and gentle role models. It was difficult to watch what seemed to be the demise of Els only for him to resurrect his career in the manner champions only know how. To be honest, there are not many weaknesses in his game but in each department, you would not say he is the best. It is his all around game and consistency which leads me to believe he has to be a serious consideration. Whats more, like Westwood, none of the 4 courses would give him any undue extra problems. He has the game to win anywhere, which is what he has proven throughout his career. The biggest fear I have with Ernie, particularly when it comes to majors, is that putting stroke. I flat out don’t like the look of it and come the back nine on Sunday in previous majors I have watched him, I think it begins to look a bit twitchy. Do I really think he can hold the putts when required to save my house?
Rory McIlroy: This is the man I believe will fill Tigers boots, although maybe not emulate the career that Woods has had. The young Irishman is an incredible talent and for those who have yet to witness his ball striking in person, you are honestly missing out for it is a think of beauty. From tee to green, McIlroy can be sensational. One only has to think back to the weekend of Quail Hollow to justify such a statement. There are however some question marks over McIlroy. One is that he is still very young and we should expect that his learning curve will last a little while longer yet. Evidence of such was at the second round of the British Open this year where he shot an 80 in testing conditions. The ability to grind out scores and turn 80’s into 75’s, like Woods so often does is what you need to be the Worlds best. There is also the issue with his putting. It is the single part of his game that looks…well…..ordinary! To become the Worlds best, he must find a way of improving it in my view because he rarely looks like the invincible machine that Woods did in the past on the greens. Taking everything into account, could McIlroy really upset the odds and stand toe to toe with the Worlds best, stare them in the eyes coming down the stretch and produce the shots needed to win. Is he at this early stage capable of holing the putts that matter?
So many questions, so many debates, but I have to make a decision and my top 5 in order of preference at this moment in time are as follows…….drum role please:
1. Lee Westwood
2. Tiger Woods
3. Phil Mickelson
4. Ernie Els
5. Rory McIlroy
Lee Westwood gets the nod because as far as I am concerned, he is due a major and the most consistent golfer in the world today. People kept telling me Harrington was a choker and all of a sudden, he had won three majors in the space of 18 months. It takes a bit of good fortune to win a major, a bad shot getting lucky, a bad putt dropping when it shouldn’t, a lucky bounce etc. For my money, Westwood is doing everything right to win a major. I am confident he will win one and it may as well be “The Ultimate Major”. He is the only one I could possibly feel confident of with my house on the line (I should point out I actually still rent but just go along with it). Woods and Mickelson are just that little bit wild for me and I would be nervous of both around Carnoustie in difficult conditions. Ernie is generally quite steady but I sadly think his majors days could be behind him and McIlroy is simply too inexperienced for my liking to handle courses to the magnitude of Pebble Beach when it is set up in a US Open style. His time is coming, and probably sooner than most expect, but it will not come this week unfortunately!
So, with that evaluation done, why don’t you have a little think about it and leave a comment below with your top 5. Needless to say, it doesn’t have to include my 5 picks. I am aware that Stricker, Furyk, Poulter, Donald, Casey, McDowell, Ishikawa and more were left out so let me know why I was wrong in doing so. I look forward to your comments but rest assured, any top tip other than Lee Westwood and as far as Im concerned, it’s bye-bye house and not even the sniff of $100,000.
Lee Westwood……We Get Golf’s “Ultimate Major” Winner
