Twas a season of mixed fortunes
There was good and bad, and now the golf industry looks forward to a new and better campaign in the New Year
THE past season can be described as one of mixed fortunes.
There were several telling high points that were matched equally by some heavy body blows. But at the end of it all, the good outweighed the bad – if only just.
The re-emergence of Tiger Woods in the winner’s circle was certainly one of the highlights of the 2018 season. And after his victory at the season-ending Tour Championship, there is now even greater anticipation of what he will deliver in the new campaign.
The build-up and the US Masters itself, assuming Woods makes a decent start to the season, will probably be unlike any other tournament in quite a while.
In the world of golf, they say the measure of a great player is determined by how many Major titles he has under his belt. At the moment Woods has 14, the last picked up in 2008.
But after his exploits in Atlanta in September that followed a tie for sixth at the British Open and runner’s-up spot in the PGA Championship, a growing number of folks think a 15th Major is not
only back within his grasp, but could come a whole lot sooner than anticipated.
For the record, Woods has won four Masters titles, three US Opens, three British Opens and four PGA Championships. He trails only Jack Nicklaus’ 18 in the Major count.
Brooks Koepka’s successful defence of the US Open and his triumph at the PGA Championship took his tally of Major titles to three and also earned him the Player of the Year award.
Patrick Reed’s victory at the US Masters was his maiden Major title, as was Francesco Molonari’s British Open victory.
The first-time Major winners were worthy champions and again illustrated the depth at the top of the game, underscoring the common-held belief that any of the world’s top-50, or even higher, on their day can walk away with one of golf ’s Big Four.
Thaiand’s Ariya Jutanugarn was the standout player on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.
She captured the Rolex Player of the Year award as well as the Vare Trophy, an accolade handed the player with the lowest scoring average over the season.
The 23-year-old from Bangkok won the US Women’s Open in a playoff over Kim Hyo-joo, and that after she squandered a seven-shot lead at the start of the final round.
But Ariya also had two ties for fourth in the Majors – at the ANA Inspiration and the Women’s British Open. Add to that victories at the Kingsmill Championship
and the Ladies Scottish Open and it’s easy to see why she was the leading lady in the women’s game for a second time in three years.
The European Tour highlight for Malaysia has been the Maybank Championship over the last three years. And this season, the most popular of the local events again delivered big time.
This event is by far the tournament that most local fans and enthusiasts watch. In part, that is because it has something for for everyone in the family.
On the course, the field comprises some of the world’s best players. Off the course, there are always loads of activities for the whole family to partake in and enjoy.
The culinary and lifestyle aspects of the Maybank Championship are unmatched in local golf. And thus, early interest in the event from match 21 to 24 is already brewing.
On a sad note, the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia was scrapped before it was played this year.
The US$7mil CIMB Classic, a regular stop on the PGA Tour for nine years, was played in October and then soon after confirmed that it would no longer be on the calendar.
If there was good news to follow then it came amid suggestions that the Malaysian Open will be back next year.
It’s been reported in TeeUp that the national open will make a return next August or September after an absence of three years, although the Malaysian Golf Association has yet to confirm this.
The Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour saw Shariffudin Ariffin retain his Order of Merit title and remain the number one player on the domestic circuit.
It was another good outing for the 19-year-old, as it was for Nur Durriyah Damian, who captured the women’s equivalent by some margin in her first full season as a pro player.
These two golfers, along with countless other fans and enthusiasts, will be hoping for another good year when the clock strikes 12 on Tuesday to usher in the New Year.
• Here’s wishing all of loyal and new readers the very best on and off the golf course in 2019.
The European Tour highlight for Malaysia was the Maybank Championship and the most popular of the local events again delivered big time.