Each week, the GolfChannel.com team offers thoughts on ‘what we learned’ from the most recent events and news developments. This week we learned that Tiger’s fist pump is always welcomed and that the NCAA Championship should be televised.
I learned how much I missed you Tiger Fist Pump. Yes, I have shared manywinning moments with others over the past few years, but they meantnothing. I don’t even remember most of their names, just a bunch ofinterchangeable, un-passionate hand waves. I took you for granted TigerFist Pump. Thank you for coming back. – Mercer Baggs
I didn’t learn anything with Tiger Woods’ victory, it never surprises me when he wins. So I’m going a different direction. I learned that the NCAA Division I men’s championship should be televised. The game’s two heavyweights this year – Alabama and Texas – made it to the match-play championship final at storied Riviera and, by all accounts, it delivered. The Crimson Tide were the top seed and their women’s team won the women’s championship last week. But it was the Longhorns who dug deep for a 3-2 victory with individual wins by Dylan Frittelli, Cody Gribble and Jordan Spieth. Remember their names, they’re the game’s future. Too bad we don’t get to see them now when they duke it out for college golf’s biggest prize. – Jay Coffin
I learned that Sean Foley owns more restraint than 99 percent of the human population.
If most people had undergone the kind of public scrutiny and criticism that Foley endured over the past two years, only to find huge heapings of success in the past five months, they’d stick their tongue out to society and greet the world every morning with a huge, “I told you so!!!”
Instead, Foley coolly goes about his business as the full-time instructor of three PGA Tour players who have combined for five victories already this year. And not just puny, little also-ran types of victories, but his list of wins includes WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, WGC-Cadillac Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational, Shell Houston Open and now the Memorial Tournament.
The success has silenced the armchair quarterbacks around the world. It’s a credit to the coach that he remains silent, too. – Jason Sobel
Whether you’re a Tiger lover or a Tiger hater, you can’t hate on the storyline that unfolded Sunday at Muirfield Village.
Tiger Woods won the Memorial to secure his 73rd PGA Tour win and tie tournament host Jack Nicklaus for all-time Tour wins, second only to Sam Snead’s 82.
You couldn’t have scripted it any better, and no matter your position on Woods, one must give credit where credit is due. – Bailey Mosier
I learned Tiger Woods can still throw a punch.
That hard fist pump after he improbably holed out a delicate flop at the 16th hole on the way to winning the Memorial Sunday was a knockout punch.
The shot landed squarely on the jaw of Rory Sabbatini, appearing to wobble the challenger the way it wobbled so many challengers at the height of Woods’ powers. When Woods threw those kinds of fist pumps in the past, no opponent’s chin stood a chance. The punch is still there. The guy showed in dramatic fashion he can still knock out folks. – Randall Mell