It’s a quick turnaround, one without much time for reflection.
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Not so this summer.
Wait … was it just yesterday?
Not many people are fired up about betting this major, however.
Ahead of the final major of 2016, the top four highest earners of the year so far on the PGA and European Tours are also the last four winners of majors. What liquids has he savored from it?
His mano-a-mano duel against Mickelson in Scotland at 20 paces reminded many of another classic that took place almost four decades earlier: Tom Watson beating Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in 1977 in the “Duel in the Sun”. “And someone in the stands shouted, ‘Does your husband play golf?’ Shows you’re not up there on that pedestal for very long”. After his victory, Stenson returned home to Sweden for a few days and was overwhelmed by the support that he received.
The occasion was a charity event for Sergio Garcia, one he had long ago committed to and which attracted a slew of big name players.
The 40-year-old Swede, who outdueled Phil Mickelson down the back nine to claim the Claret Jug at Royal Troon, has enjoyed a whirlwind life since taking the crown. “In a way, you accumulate up to it”, Stenson said. “It doesn’t really strike you when you’re in the middle of it”. The Florida native has won almost $3 million this season and has made the cut in all 13 tournaments he has played. He doesn’t think this is anything special because other players over a course of two decades are certain to go through bad times.
Stenson was so locked in on every shot that only when he was signing his card did he realize he tied Johnny Miller as the only major champions to win with a 63 in the final round.
“It just goes to show on a week-to-week basis that if anyone who is really there pitches up with their A Game, they have got a good chance of winning”.
Mickelson, 46, will be playing in his 97th major this week. But An, playing in the afternoon, launched one 347 yards to win. But this summer, the schedule doesn’t allow it.
“We’ve been having the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy for the last 11 years there”, he said. I’m not afraid to get the driver in my hand.
Masters champion Danny Willett’s game has struggled since his unlikely win at Augusta National, but the Englishman says he is ready to get back on track at this week’s PGA Championship. He said he still doesn’t know how to process what happened. “Pretty much week off and straight back into it”, Day said. For a world-class player, that can be bitter to swallow.
With Tiger Woods on hold and young guns like Speith, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day still striving for consistent success, another big showing by Mickelson would certainly get golf back at the top of the front sports page again.
“I feel like I can play my game in PGA Championships”. “I really want to obviously finish No. 1 in the world at the end of the year”. He pitched out of the gnarly rough on the final hole to within two feet of the cup and then made birdie to beat Steve Elkington and Thomas Bjorn by one shot.
“Putting is a challenge here because the greens have a lot of contour, and they’re not consistent contours”, Mickelson said. Stenson knows how Mickelson feels. Now all he has to do is go out and play like the same guy who just shot 20-under.
“Of the four favorites, I like DJ and Rory”, said golf handicapper Wes Reynolds (@WesReynolds1 on Twitter). “That might be a good tape to pull out of my drawer”. In fact, since that second PGA title, he hasn’t won any majors. He said he harbors no regrets from Troon.
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“I’d love to sit here and say I’m going to win a major every year”, he added.
