The last two U.S. Opens at Congressional arrived with exciting storylines surrounding the two most popular players in the history of the sport — Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods. Neither panned out.
In 1964, Palmer had won the Masters, his seventh major championship, so the D.C. area braced for a duel between the 34-year-old icon and golf’s newest star, Jack Nicklaus, who had already won three majors by age 24. But in the Open, neither made much of a run as Ken Venturi became the story — and a good one at that — as he overcame oppressive heat to stagger to his lone major.
In 1997, the D.C. area was ga-ga over Woods. Then 21, he had just won the Masters by a record-breaking 12 strokes, a performance so dominant that people were talking Grand Slam. But at Congressional, Woods never sniffed the leader board, and Ernie Els won by “loitering,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly, in a completely forgettable Sunday in Bethesda.
This week, as Congressional hosts the Open for a third time, there is no rock-star appeal. Woods is out, resting his injured knee, ankle and psyche, leaving it to a bunch of nice players — Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, Steve Stricker and Lee Westwood — none destined for greatness.
But while this Open lacks a superstar storyline, there is no shortage of promise. The best possible outcome this week? How about a win by one of the 22-year-olds, Rory McIlroy or Rickie Fowler? Better yet, a victory from Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, 19, or Italy’s Matteo Manassero, 18?
Too early, you say? In golf, age doesn’t impede greatness. Nicklaus won the Open at 22, less than a year after turning pro. Woods won the Masters at 21. If any of today’s kids are destined, now is the time.
Their resumes are stout enough. Two months ago at the Masters, all contended with the exception of Manassero. He didn’t play in the event, but the following week he won on the European Tour.
Imagine a Sunday afternoon with any of the four walking down the 18th fairway with victory in hand and the tantalizing prospect of what the future holds. Could anointing a potential superstar be better than seeing one dominate in his prime?
