Tiger Woods is undergoing knee-surgery and will be out for the remainder of the 2008 golf season incase you have not heard. I am twenty years old and cannot remember golf before Tiger Woods’ first fist pump after winning the Masters in 1997 when I was just nine years old. Ever since that record setting victory, I have followed golf closely and have cheered for Tiger Woods in every tournament through this past U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. At times during this U.S. Open I did enjoy Rocco Mediate’s story, but I could not bring myself to cheer against Tiger. Tiger is done for the year, so who do I cheer for? Which players are going to step up to the tee and try to claim the number one spot in the world? When Tiger comes back next spring with a rejuvenated knee and the same old fire and pose, he will reclaim his glory and go on to surpass Jack’s eighteen majors within three years. There are two majors open for the taking with Tiger gone. The polls online will no longer read, “Who will win the Open/ PGA Championship, Tiger Woods or the rest of the field?” Without Tiger lurking in the woods every tournament, now is the time to win a major gentlemen.

Phil Mickelson: Other than Tiger, Phil is the most recognizable name in golf today. Unfortunately for Phil he did not play well in the second and third rounds of the U.S. Open at his home course. Yet in his interview after he completed his excellent final round, he seemed content about his game. This could be Phil’s chance step up his game without having to deal with the Tiger-Phil rivalry the media has been trying to create the past couple of years (Tiger does not have a rival). With Tiger out of the field, Phil will be more likely to improve his game and play better golf. Look for Phil to be in the contention on the final day for either the Open Championship or the PGA Championship.

Geoff Ogilvy: Geoff seems to always be near the top of the leader board, but never a contender on the final holes, except of course during his victory at the U.S. Open two years ago. Geoff is a tremendous golfer, and I’m expecting him to compete in the final day of both majors with the possibility of winning one.

Adam Scott: Adam Scott has been a blossoming golfer the past couple of years on the tour. He has shown at times that he has top caliber skills and has risen up to number three in the world right now. I would love to see him win a major very soon. He will win a major within the next year and a half. Does he have it in him to win one this year? No. He will compete in the final day, but he will not win one of the next two majors.

Ernie Els, Jim Furyk Vijay Singh: These guys are getting old. It would be incredible to see one of them add another major to their resumes. It would be awesome for Ernie to add a PGA Championship to his major wins to give him a career grand slam. Jim Furyk, with his goofy swing, is always fun to watch and has been a class-act his entire career. Never count Furyk out of any tournament. It would be great to see Vijay rise back up the world rankings and be involved in a major on the final day, something he hasn’t accomplished in two years. He only won one tournament in 2006 and two in 2007. He will not be a contender on the final day of either of the next two majors. He needs to modify his game.

Sergio Garcia: Sergio has had a wonderful career and it was tough to see him fall apart and lose the playoff last year in the Open Championship. I am going to cheer for him to win this years’ Open and think he has a shot to win.

Justin Rose or Lee Westwood: Lee Westwood was quite impressive at the U.S. Open. He played even par with Tiger Woods until the 18th hole on Sunday! He is the number one player in Europe and look to see him win the Open Championship for his country. English golfers and tennis players have difficulty wining majors at home, but Lee looks to be a favorite at the Open. Justin Rose had a promising career three years ago and everyone keeps looking for the twenty-eight year old to bounce back. He will not bounce back this year, but in the next couple of years look for him to win a major or two.

Rory Sabbatini: (Tiger’s archenemies) Rory, in response to your claims in that Tiger was more beatable than ever, you were wrong. Today he is more beatable than ever! He is not playing, so that would make him beatable if you can understand that, He is not more beatable than ever, when you lose to him on the final day at the Wachovia. Rory now is your chance to beat Tiger; he isn’t playing in case you didn’t hear me the first time!

Youngsters: Trevor Immelman, D.J Trahan, Camilo Villegas, Zach Johnson, Aaron Baddeley: Trevor Immelman impressed the golf world with his win at the Masters. He will continue to have success throughout his career, but he will not win another major this year. These young guns have promising careers and two of them will be present on the final day leader board at each major. Will one of them win? Probably not.

Other Notables: Rocco Mediate, Justin Leonard, Stuart Appleby, Angel Cabrera, Steve Stricker, K.J. Choi: It is always fun to see the long-shots competing at the majors. Hopefully Rocco can keep playing golf the way he has been. A long shot definitely has a chance to win either major, especially with Tiger out of the picture.

John Daly: Unfortunately for Professional Golf, attendance will drop dramatically for both majors. People love to watch Tiger and without him many viewers will find other things to do during their weekends. But for those ignorant ignoramuses, the majors will be more exciting with Tiger not in the picture. True, there will not be any uppercut fist pumps after ridiculous eagles, but going into the final day, nobody will know who is going to win. It will be thrilling or as thrilling as golf can be! The PGA should reinstate John Daly from his exempt status. He is fun to watch with his long drives into the trees and miraculous shots from the woods. Who doesn’t love it when Daly hammers the ball 350+ yards deep into the trees or grandstands, and then hits a ball through eight trees onto the green? Yes he is an uncontrollable alcoholic, with many issues, but give him a chance. He may not be the country-club type, but he is the real life Billy Madison that will attract viwers!

My picks:
Open Championship: Lee Westwood
PGA Championship: Phil Mickelson