Oldies can’t cut it in a world ruled by young athletes
SO often dismissed as an old man’s game, the evidence here would suggest it is anything but.
The best three players in the world boast an average age of 25 and a roll-call of the names who made the cut against those who missed it after two rounds of this magnificent golf course point to youth being an advantage. Average age of the 57 still toiling against the elements yesterday: 33. Average age of those nursing bruised egos: 37.
It’s not a huge disparity but consider the fact that nine of the top 14 going into the third round were in their 20s, with only Soren Kjeldsen having celebrated his 40th birthday.
There are exceptions to the rule, of course. Bernhard Langer is now 58 and rounds of 72 and 73 left him only five shots off the lead. But the German remains in terrific shape and he was the only 50-something in the top 20 after 36 holes. Indeed, only 10 of the 57 players contesting the closing 36 holes are north of 40.
Jason Day jokingly suggested this week that 30 is now old in professional golf, even if he then argued that players of the stature of Adam Scott and Bubba Watson remain dangermen at the majors. Just maybe not at this one, judging by their opening two rounds.
It was interesting to listen to Day reflect on the golfing landscape and just how tough it is not just to become the world’s No 1 but to stay there.
‘The competition is very stiff,’ he said. ‘It’s really tough with how everyone is playing. Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy are young guys, so we’re all kind of motivating each other. There’s Rickie Fowler as well; we’re all motivating each other to try and play better each and every week and each and every year. If one of us plays well, then usually there’s two out of three or three out of three guys that are going to step up and start practicing and playing harder. It’s inspiring and motivating to watch the other guy win because you know that you can do it too.
‘And then obviously you’ve got the 30-somethings, which you guys call the old ones now. They are not that old. They are still very, very young and they are still very capable. Adam Scott and Bubba Watson are doing a fantastic job. It’s just really fun to see how the health of the game is right now and how competitive it is. I guess that what we love the most is the competitive nature of everything.’
No longer is it simply about hitting golf balls. Today the majority of these players lead the lives of elite professional athletes. McIlroy rises at 5.30am every day so there is time for a strict fitness programme as well as routine work on his swing. Check out YouTube videos of Martin Kaymer working out in the gym. All very impressive.
Justin Rose has had a state-of-the-art putting lab installed at his home but he will have a gym too. And every night, after a day’s play, these golfers will be put through their paces by their physiotherapists and chiropractors.
Shane Lowry might not appear the most athletic of individuals but he still adheres to the orders of a specialist who keeps him swinging loose and strong.
Advances in technology have made the game easier, not least for the amateur golfer who might find they now take an eight-iron where once they took a seven. But golf at the highest level, as Spieth, McIlroy and Day are certainly demonstrating right now, is a game for the young and athletic as well as the mentally robust.