DAVID HOWELL, Worldwide Golf Columnist: WHEN I was a teenager and just getting the golfing bug I couldn’t wait for the theme tune of the BBC golf coverage to come on and then see the splendour of Augusta National in all its colourful springtime glory. If that weren’t enough it was almost guaranteed that one of Europe’s Big Five would be in the hunt, Sandy, Seve, Nick, Woosie or Bernhard. Sure enough, all of them pulled on the Green Jacket at some point, but it was no surprise, they all seemed destined to win Major titles, they had that kind of stature within the game.
What’s interesting now, is over the following two decades, more and more players go on and win tournaments. Today, there are many more first-time winners on all the tours around the world but, surprisingly, so fewer multiple winners. Seve Ballesteros won more than 80 tournaments, Ian Woosnam claimed over 50 titles worldwide, yet these are the sorts of statistics we don’t tend to see any more at the end of a player’s competitive career.
This trend now extends to the Majors, too, especially with Tiger’s dominance long behind us, and it’s become increasingly difficult to pick the Major winners of the future. Two of the most dominant European players of the last 20 years, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia, have both won a phenomenal number of tournaments worldwide but don’t have a Major between them. Then we have Danny Willett popping up and claiming his first Major title, which is only his fifth title worldwide. This just didn’t happen 20 years ago, but it does now.
Sometimes, as an occasional pundit, you can be too close to the game to see what’s really happening. Take my relationship with Danny, someone I have seen come onto The European Tour as a talented 20 year old. Danny has made gradual progress through the ranks. He has worked diligently and professionally throughout his years on Tour, just as hard as someone like Tiger, I would say, but without the fanfare.
Danny has always had bucket-loads of confidence in his own ability but when you have seen someone at such close quarters for so long it’s hard to stand back and say, do you know what, Danny Willett is perhaps at the point of being the next Major winner. Just look at the facts and you can see that’s precisely where he’s got himself to.
Ranked the best amateur in the world before he turned pro, courtesy of a superb American College record, he then gets his European Tour card straight away. He starts to win events, suffers a back injury and comes back even stronger. Last season he challenges for The Open at St Andrews, chases Rory all the way to the finish in The Race To Dubai then promptly wins the Nedbank at Sun City to start this year’s campaign. He backs that up with a top three finish at Doral in the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship in the States, then has a child for the first time, just in time to make it to Augusta. If you were following Danny’s form you’d think he he’d been heavily fancied, but for some reason, although a good few quid will have gone on him each way, I’m sure only a few punters truly thought he would win The Masters. Come close? Sure! But wearing the Green Jacket? Probably not!
My theory on why more players are winning tournaments – albeit less often – and why more players than ever are capable of winning Majors is all down to new technology. Equipment has levelled the playing field, allowing far more players to be in contention with nine holes to play week in and week out. When it comes to the Majors a large part is due to The World Golf Championships.
These events have been a huge boost to the confidence of Europe’s players and for those from all over the globe, for that matter. Going on to play on the PGA Tour as an outsider and getting in contention was always a hard thing to do, it was like playing away from home at Old Trafford every week. The WGC events have made Old Trafford feel like a home from home for everyone. The WGCs have enabled our best players to compete more often against the best players in the world, on what feels more like their home ground.
WGC EVENTS HAVE CLOSED THE MAJOR GAP
The WGC events have a different feel about them to a PGA Tour event, in my experience, and the step up from these events to a Major is less pronounced. They have made everyone feel more comfortable. You’re no longer competing against a different set of players when you come down the stretch trying to win a Major. They’re the same familiar guys you were playing against last week – and that’s a huge benefit.
One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the power of the mind over the outcome of any golf tournament. Having the self-belief that you belong right at the top of the game, to join the legends of yesteryear with your name on the Major trophies that everyone covets, is something not everyone has.
Not everybody is capable of coping with those moments of extreme pressure, when all that you have dreamed of stands before you, there for the taking. Danny found it in himself to do what others couldn’t, which has enabled him to join the Major title club.
Some, outwardly portray themselves as future Major champions. Some, like Danny Willett, just put in all the work, devote the time and make the sacrifices it takes to get to the top of their profession. With that, comes the quiet confidence that you, too, belong in the big time. When that all comes together it has a glorious outcome, a Green Jacket and a place at golf’s top table.
