1. Phil Mickelson birdies Pebble’s famous 18th to beat Tiger Woods by a shot and win the U.S. Open, giving the native Californian the title he’d painfully lost so many times before.
2. Ryo Ishikawa birdies the 18th hole to win the Masters, giving golf a bona fide new young star with massive global appeal.
3. Tiger Woods, trying to rehabilitate his image, announces that as part of his return he’ll go on a barnstorming tour of second tier events that were good to him when he started his career: John Deere and the Canadian Open, to name a few.
4. Michelle Wie wins eight tournaments, including all the women’s majors. It’s far-fetched, sure, but the LPGA’s due for a break.
5. To the same thunderous applause given to Jack and Arnie, Tom Watson crosses the Swilcan Bridge for the last time, but does so on Sunday while in contention for yet another Open Championship.
6. Seve Ballesteros, recovering from cancer, is introduced on the first tee at St. Andrews, where he won the Open in 1984. There’s not a dry eye in the house. Fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia at last validates his talent and hoists the Claret Jug.
7. Steve Stricker birdies the 18th at Whistling Straits to win the PGA Championship in his native Wisconsin, giving everybody’s “good guy” his first major.
8. With Monty and Tiger dueling for tabloid dominance in Great Britain, Padraig Harrington chips in on the final hole with the match all square to beat Phil Mickelson in Sunday singles. Europe reclaims the Ryder Cup, sending the continent into delirium.
9. Rickie Fowler wins twice, giving golf the bona fide young American star it desperately needs.
10. Fred Couples and Greg Norman each play 15 events on the Champions Tour and combine to win six, including three majors.
