Predictions of the Decade, pt. 2
Yesterday was the beginning of three days of predictions for the next decade on this space. I need to remind you that these predictions are for entertainment purposes only, and I will disavow ever making these when they turn out to be completely off base.
A Republican president will be sworn in on January 20, 2017. This prediction has nothing to do with any allegiance or spite. This prediction is based on America's recent history. Since 1945, our country has alternated 8 year runs in the White House between the two parties, save for two exceptions:
Tiger Woods will NOT overtake Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major championships. There is something astounding about a prodigy setting his/her sights on the highest possible goal in his/her field, and then approaching that goal with confidence, as if he/she KNOWS that it will be reached. This has been the path of Tiger Woods for the past twelve year. Early in his twenties, everyone around golf knew that he was going to be good. But Tiger wasn't ok with just being good. He made it known early on, just a decade ago, that he should be measured by whether or not he breaks the major championships record of 18 held by his childhood idol, Jack Nicklaus.
As this past decade started, Tiger made his charge toward the record, winning four consecutive major tournaments in a stretch from 2000-2001, a run that many in the media referred to as the "Tiger-slam". The major championships started to mount up as the years went on, even as Tiger made adjustments in his swing, his coach, and his caddy. By the time we hit the middle of this decade, the question pundits were asking shifted from "WILL Tiger get the record?" to "WHEN will Tiger get the record?" Tiger's latest masterpiece, his 14th championship, was a playoff win at the 2008 U.S. Open, a win he later admitted he accomplished with a broken tibia and a torn ACL in his left leg.
But a few things changed for Tiger on November 26, 2009. If you haven't heard the story, a quick google search will get you caught up. But going into the next decade, with 5 more major championships needed to break the record that Tiger has eyed since he turned pro, there are some daunting mountains he will need to climb. He's now 34 (his birthday is actually today). 34 isn't old, but it isn't 24. There is a new generation of golfers that is just as hungry and talented as Tiger was when he came out of Stanford in the late 90's. He's also now playing on a reconstructed knee, a knee that may or may not be at full strength 15 months after reconstruction. He's also shown this year, contrary to popular belief, that he's beatable down the stretch at a major. Y.E. Yang's performance at this year's PGA championship was a first, not because he played fantastic, but because he didn't melt under the pressure of playing next to the crowned king of professional golf.
The consensus "second best golfer in the world" this past decade was Phil Mickelson, and he's only won 3 major championships. Under normal circumstances, a major championship is nearly impossible to win, forget having a bum knee and personal life in turmoil. It has been admirable the way Tiger reached for the stars as he became a professional. It was impressive that he took aim at his idol. It was gutsy that he picked the tallest hurdle to attempt to clear. But at the end of the next decade, Nicklaus's major championship record will still be safe.
Part 3 to come tomorrow...
A Republican president will be sworn in on January 20, 2017. This prediction has nothing to do with any allegiance or spite. This prediction is based on America's recent history. Since 1945, our country has alternated 8 year runs in the White House between the two parties, save for two exceptions:
- after 8 years of a republican president, President Jimmy Carter, a democrat, only held the office for 4 years before being replaced by President Reagan in 1981
- President Bush Sr. continued the republican run in the White House for an extra four years from '89 to '93, before the democrats had their 8 year run with President Clinton
Tiger Woods will NOT overtake Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major championships. There is something astounding about a prodigy setting his/her sights on the highest possible goal in his/her field, and then approaching that goal with confidence, as if he/she KNOWS that it will be reached. This has been the path of Tiger Woods for the past twelve year. Early in his twenties, everyone around golf knew that he was going to be good. But Tiger wasn't ok with just being good. He made it known early on, just a decade ago, that he should be measured by whether or not he breaks the major championships record of 18 held by his childhood idol, Jack Nicklaus.
As this past decade started, Tiger made his charge toward the record, winning four consecutive major tournaments in a stretch from 2000-2001, a run that many in the media referred to as the "Tiger-slam". The major championships started to mount up as the years went on, even as Tiger made adjustments in his swing, his coach, and his caddy. By the time we hit the middle of this decade, the question pundits were asking shifted from "WILL Tiger get the record?" to "WHEN will Tiger get the record?" Tiger's latest masterpiece, his 14th championship, was a playoff win at the 2008 U.S. Open, a win he later admitted he accomplished with a broken tibia and a torn ACL in his left leg.
But a few things changed for Tiger on November 26, 2009. If you haven't heard the story, a quick google search will get you caught up. But going into the next decade, with 5 more major championships needed to break the record that Tiger has eyed since he turned pro, there are some daunting mountains he will need to climb. He's now 34 (his birthday is actually today). 34 isn't old, but it isn't 24. There is a new generation of golfers that is just as hungry and talented as Tiger was when he came out of Stanford in the late 90's. He's also now playing on a reconstructed knee, a knee that may or may not be at full strength 15 months after reconstruction. He's also shown this year, contrary to popular belief, that he's beatable down the stretch at a major. Y.E. Yang's performance at this year's PGA championship was a first, not because he played fantastic, but because he didn't melt under the pressure of playing next to the crowned king of professional golf.
The consensus "second best golfer in the world" this past decade was Phil Mickelson, and he's only won 3 major championships. Under normal circumstances, a major championship is nearly impossible to win, forget having a bum knee and personal life in turmoil. It has been admirable the way Tiger reached for the stars as he became a professional. It was impressive that he took aim at his idol. It was gutsy that he picked the tallest hurdle to attempt to clear. But at the end of the next decade, Nicklaus's major championship record will still be safe.
Part 3 to come tomorrow...
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