So, just when everyone was getting giddy with the fact that three youngsters were setting the golfing world on fire with their brilliance, Rickie Fowler decided to join the party as well and make it even more fun.
It was yet another impressive final-round performance from the 26-year-old American, who has turned a last-day charge into a habit. Obviously, his five-under-par effort over the last four holes to win the Players’ Championship earlier this year has become part of golfing folklore, but what he did on Monday evening at TPC Boston to win the Deutsche Bank Championship was equally brilliant.
I say that because, if I have to vote for one player in the world right now who is most difficult to reel in when playing well, I would go for Henrik Stenson. The reason is simple really — the Swede is so solid with his irons and that trusted three-wood of his, he rarely misses greens in regulation. If you have to beat him, you have got to play out of your socks.
It was also apparent that Fowler wasn’t playing his best golf early on in the final round. He did make an eagle on the par-5 second hole, but he was struggling off the tee. On such old-style, tree-lined courses like TPC Boston, accuracy off the tee is paramount. I thought he did a fantastic job of turning around his form mid-way through the round.
Stenson was incredibly unlucky not to have won another title and that late double bogey will hurt him for some time. But really, the mis-hit iron shot into the par-3 was an aberration and he should take great pride in his performance during the four days. He is playing so well that it’s just a matter of time before he gets another win.
Monday also turned out to be an unforgettable day for my compatriot Anirban Lahiri and the Thai veteran Thongchai Jaidee. Both of them reaped the rewards of playing some great golf the last few months and were among the 10 players who qualified automatically for the Presidents Cup, which takes place next month in South Korea.
For us, the Presidents Cup is the Ryder Cup. As professionals, there are very few team events we can take part in and, obviously, not hailing from the USA or Europe, Ryder Cup is not an option. And yet, every time we watch the biennial tournament, there is a definite pang of jealousy given how incredible the atmosphere always is.
The Presidents Cup is still in its early stages. As happened with the Ryder Cup, the results have been one-sided, with Team USA dominating, but I am sure that will change pretty soon.
With Lahiri and Jaidee in the team, this should be another massive shot in the arm for golf in Asia. Obviously, there have been a few Japanese and Korean players in the past who have made it to the team, but they have done so through their performances on the PGA Tour. On the other hand, these two truly represent the advances made by the Asian Tour. They have never really played much in the US, but reached this position through playing in Asia and Europe.
Here’s looking forward to a crackling contest next month.
— Jeev Milkha Singh is a four time champion on the European Tour
