August 18, 2009
WARNING: SPORTS RELATED POST, YOU MIGHT NOT BE INTERESTED A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Coronation What happened just outside of Chaska, Minnesota on Sunday was nothing short of astounding. Y.E. Yang beating Tiger Woods is more than David beating Goliath. It’s David’s skinnier younger brother beating a tougher version of Goliath hopped up on steroids. This is not just the greatest golf upset of all time it is up there with the greatest sports upsets of all time. The universally accepted legend of Tiger Wood’s ability to close the deal was exposed as a myth, and in the process his mythical status in the sport has taken a hit. This was never supposed to happen. This was Tiger Woods, the greatest sportsman of his generation, with a two shot lead with 18 holes to play. This was a guy who had not blown a final round lead in a PGA Tour event since he was 20, and had never ever, ever, EVER blown a lead in the final round of a MAJOR. This was a player who is well known as the best front-runner in the history of the game and probably the best front-runner in the history of sport. (Well maybe Secretariat) His legendary mental toughness is what set him apart throughout his career, and is what haunts the nightmares of such greats as Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, and Sergio Garcia. Perhaps all this is why it is all the more shocking that the man who finally knocked out the Champ is an unheralded 37 year old South Korean journeyman. I will be honest and admit that I had never heard of Y.E. Yang before this weekend, but the way he played on Sunday means I will also never forget his name. He became the first man to ever stare down Tiger Woods during the final round of a major championship and not blink. Not only did he not blink, he shot an impressive 70 and played with the heart of a lion and the balls of a matador down the stretch. You could even see a hint of bemusement in Tiger’s face as Yang made his final putt on 18 and the realization set in that his impenetrable armour had finally been chipped by someone named Y.E. Yang. The whole back nine was like watching your dad cry; you never expect to see it happen and when you do its almost too hard to believe. You could even hear the amazement in the voices of the announcers as Tiger missed putt after putt, when he had spent the past 15 years making a living off making putts when they counted the most. Tiger’s reaction after missing his par attempt on 17 was one of anger (And F Words) but also disbelief. He’s not used to being on the other side of things and in all honesty he doesn’t remember how to lose. The look on his face in the above photo explain things better than I ever could. The events of Sunday August 16th 2009 will go down in golf lore but as of now they remind us of two important facts: 1. Despite all evidence to the contrary, Tiger Woods is indeed human. 2. The last thirteen years look even more amazing than they did on Saturday night. What Tiger Woods has done to golf during this time has been incredible to watch and will in all likelihood never be seen again. Now that we have finally been reminded that he can be beat we can respect what he has done even more. Maybe he will have more off days in the future but he is still the greatest to ever play in my opinion and will bounce back from this even stronger than before. Also anyone who said Tiger was a sure bet on Saturday night (Myself included) should have taken a look at this. http://www.pgatour.com/2009/r/04/28/ap.on_the_fringe/index.html?eref=sitesearch

WARNING: SPORTS RELATED POST, YOU MIGHT NOT BE INTERESTED

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Coronation

What happened just outside of Chaska, Minnesota on Sunday was nothing short of astounding. Y.E. Yang beating Tiger Woods is more than David beating Goliath. It’s David’s skinnier younger brother beating a tougher version of Goliath hopped up on steroids. This is not just the greatest golf upset of all time it is up there with the greatest sports upsets of all time. The universally accepted legend of Tiger Wood’s ability to close the deal was exposed as a myth, and in the process his mythical status in the sport has taken a hit.

This was never supposed to happen. This was Tiger Woods, the greatest sportsman of his generation, with a two shot lead with 18 holes to play. This was a guy who had not blown a final round lead in a PGA Tour event since he was 20, and had never ever, ever, EVER blown a lead in the final round of a MAJOR. This was a player who is well known as the best front-runner in the history of the game and probably the best front-runner in the history of sport. (Well maybe Secretariat) His legendary mental toughness is what set him apart throughout his career, and is what haunts the nightmares of such greats as Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, and Sergio Garcia.

Perhaps all this is why it is all the more shocking that the man who finally knocked out the Champ is an unheralded 37 year old South Korean journeyman. I will be honest and admit that I had never heard of Y.E. Yang before this weekend, but the way he played on Sunday means I will also never forget his name. He became the first man to ever stare down Tiger Woods during the final round of a major championship and not blink. Not only did he not blink, he shot an impressive 70 and played with the heart of a lion and the balls of a matador down the stretch. You could even see a hint of bemusement in Tiger’s face as Yang made his final putt on 18 and the realization set in that his impenetrable armour had finally been chipped by someone named Y.E. Yang.

The whole back nine was like watching your dad cry; you never expect to see it happen and when you do its almost too hard to believe. You could even hear the amazement in the voices of the announcers as Tiger missed putt after putt, when he had spent the past 15 years making a living off making putts when they counted the most. Tiger’s reaction after missing his par attempt on 17 was one of anger (And F Words) but also disbelief. He’s not used to being on the other side of things and in all honesty he doesn’t remember how to lose. The look on his face in the above photo explain things better than I ever could.

The events of Sunday August 16th 2009 will go down in golf lore but as of now they remind us of two important facts:

1. Despite all evidence to the contrary, Tiger Woods is indeed human.

2. The last thirteen years look even more amazing than they did on Saturday night.

What Tiger Woods has done to golf during this time has been incredible to watch and will in all likelihood never be seen again. Now that we have finally been reminded that he can be beat we can respect what he has done even more. Maybe he will have more off days in the future but he is still the greatest to ever play in my opinion and will bounce back from this even stronger than before.

Also anyone who said Tiger was a sure bet on Saturday night (Myself included) should have taken a look at this.

http://www.pgatour.com/2009/r/04/28/ap.on_the_fringe/index.html?eref=sitesearch

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