The Ryder Cup Without Tiger

The Ryder Cup golf tournament was a very enjoyable surprise and has generated a lot of Golf Talk .

Based on comments made before the tournament was played, I think it was a huge surprise for a lot of golf fans. The gist of opinion, of course, was a giant question mark: What kind of competition will it be like without Tiger? The answer turned out to be: Terrific!!

What happened, I believe, is that Tiger’s absence gave the U.S. guys the chance to star on an international stage that will highlight their careers forever. It gave the TV viewers and fans a glimpse of just how talented some our players really are. After all, it’s pretty tough to grab the spotlight when you’re on-stage with the greatest golf player in the history of the game. Being on that stage without Tiger presented the opportunity to step into the light.

Anthony Kim exploded onto that stage. His refusal of a two-foot “gimme” to Sergio Garcia was like hanging up a banner that said “There WILL be Blood!” Then, when Sergio was negotiating with a tournament official to create some kind of improvement to his lie deep into the hillside rough, Anthony inserted himself into the discussion, putting Sergio on notice that this was not going to be a walk in the park. His swagger and parting comment to Sergio to “Do what you have to do.” was not only dismissive, but also conveyed the unspoken message that “I’m going to kick your butt, anyway.” Sergio never recovered.

Great theater…great golf!

And, how about Kenny Perry?! Playing like a surgeon with a brand new scalpel. Talk about precise skill with a golf club. He was, as the younger folks like to say, AWESOME. "I said this was going to define my career, but you know what, it made my career," he said after the U.S. team captured the Cup. Doing it with another Kentucky rising star, J.B. Holmes, made it even more spectacular. Turns out, Kenny told coach Paul Azinger he wanted to be paired with J.B. When Holmes drove the green on 13, Perry said he just couldn’t believe it. Neither could that screaming hometown Kentucky gallery.

With Boo Weekly playing incredible golf – and having fun doing it - and Jim Furyk redeeming himself with the Ryder Cup winning hole, the crowds got a little too American for the European team, it seems. Some of their comments after the tournament, revealed that they thought we were too raucous and loud...and a bit rude.

Welcome to the Colonies.


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