I’ve covered this great game for almost a decade. When it comes to watching golf tournaments either on television or in-person, I like to think I have a critical eye observing the action unfold in front of me. There isn’t too much that surprises me when it comes to professional golf.
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However, every so often there will be a year that completely alters my perspective on what can happen in the game. The 2013 season was one of those years.
Here are my nine favorite golf stories from the year, of which I am very thankful.
There has not been a rookie on the PGA Tour who has generated more buzz since Tiger Woods than Jordan Spieth. This year featured his first PGA Tour win, a spot on the President’s Cup, nine top-10s, a weekend contention at the Open Championship and a personal invite to Phil Mickelson’s “money game”. We can’t wait to see more from this kid.
We don’t talk enough about the LPGA Tour these days, but when Inbee Park started winning major championships, that all changed. After she won her third major of the year people started wondering if five consecutive majors was a possibility. Park single-handedly ushered the LPGA into the mainstream… if only for a few months.
This may seem like an odd inclusion on this list, but the USGA/R&A’s decision to ban the anchored putting stroke opened the floodgates to some of the most intelligent conversations across social media and golf news sites. For that, I am very thankful.
Jarrod Lyle’s Triumphant Return
Returning to competitive golf after a long hiatus is one thing. Doing it after beating cancer is a whole different ball game. Lyle’s return to the game at the Talisker Australian Masters in November brought tears to the collective eyes of the golf world.
Is there anyone on the planet who will put a tournament above The Masters on their favorites list? Adam Scott long dreamed of winning the Green Jacket, making his playoff victory over Angel Cabrera in April for his first major that much more special.
Let’s get something very clear, folks: if you are in contention on Sunday and respond by firing a 66 at the British Open, you deserve that damn claret jug. That’s exactly what Phil Mickelson did, and it was glorious.
Literally days after learning he had lost eight family members in the Philippines to Typhoon Haiyan, Jason Day bounced back and won the World Cup at Royal Melbourne. For the life of me I cannot comprehend the strength that must have taken.
Henrik Stenson Wins Everything
Stenson’s incredible golf season equated to winning both the FedExCup and the Race to Dubai; a feat that had never been done prior by one golfer in the same year. Now if we can only get this guy a golf shirt with longer sleeves, we’ll be all set.
Last but certainly not least, watching Jim Furyk shoot 59 at the BMW Championship in my backyard (Conway Farms) was an experience I will never forget. He didn’t win the tournament, but it was a moment in his career that was sorely needed.
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