Instant gratification barely waits a moment. It demands fulfillment, or it leaves. And because we love it so, we feed it.
Nothing satisfies us more than instant gratification. We’re impatient and we need it – we need it now!
It’s why we love fast food. It’s why we lose our temper when it takes longer than 3 minutes to get our fast food. It’s why we gamble with our money. It’s why we don’t invest in bonds anymore.
It’s just a part of us. We have little patience and less desire to sit back and wait for things to unfold. And because of this, we don’t always enjoy the moment.
It’s why CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz couldn’t help but say what so many of us were thinking Saturday: what symmetry it would be for Phil Mickelson to slip the green jacket onto the shoulders of Chris DiMarco, the man who literally showed him the line to the winner’s circle the year before at Augusta National.
Yes, DiMarco was leading the Masters by four strokes at the time. But there were still nearly two full rounds left to play – in the Masters, nonetheless – and Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh and Mickelson were all well within range.
It’s why so many were ready to count out Woods after the opening round.
Yes, even we were ashen when he putted a ball off the green and into the water at No. 13. And, yes, we were aghast when his approach shot at the first hole hit the flag and caromed into a bunker. And, yes, our mouths were agape when he hit a tee shot about 100 yards at the second.
But he kept his wits about him throughout the mistakes and misfortune. He made nothing worse than bogey. He made some huge par saves, like the 20-footer at the second. And he made enough birdies to give himself some hope.
He finished with a Picasso 74 – beautifully unattractive. And while he didn’t say it exactly, he didn’t have to: let’s let it all play out and see how it all unfolds.
We just don’t want to wait and see how things play out. We want things now, as is. We want instant gratification.
It’s why we tried to establish Woods as the greatest player of all time after less than five years as a professional.
It’s why we were ready to consider Mickelson a major failure before last year’s Masters.
It’s why Sergio Garcia, 25, is near the top of the list of best players never to have won a major.
It’s why we were ready to tar and feather Paul Casey before he even had the chance to speak in his own defense regarding the Ryder Cup controversy.
It’s why we called Tiger foolish for changing his swing – even though he had proved us wrong before.
It’s why we were ready to give Tiger his fourth green jacket without even contesting the final round, which he entered three strokes clear.
But just as Tiger figuratively said, let’s let this one play out, so, too, did DiMarco.
Were DiMarco a boxer, he’d be a first-fist puncher. He’s not a counter-puncher. He got hit early Sunday only because he came out cold. Like any good fighter, he needed a good sweat.
“He’s a fighter,” Woods said. “He’ll fight you tooth and nail.”
But, man, did he take one mother of a gut punch at No. 16.
When Tiger’s chip shot tracked impossibly and perfectly into the hole – lights out! Down goes DiMarco. Its over – but not yet!
Have we learned nothing? It’s not over. It wasn’t when DiMarco led by four or trailed by three, or as he is now, two back with two to play against the best player in the world.
We have to let it play out. We have to stop running around and high-5ing everyone, and sit back down and compose ourselves.
We have to see if Tiger can compose himself and par No. 17. No.
We have to see if he can par No. 18. No.
We have to see what unfolds in this sudden-death playoff. We have to see if DiMarco can make the most of his second chance. No.
We have to see if Tiger can do the same. Yes. Finally, yes.
It seemed a long time coming, but Sunday’s conclusion was a good one. It was worth the wait. For Tiger, who won his first major championship in nearly three years. For DiMarco, who proved he was worthy of winning a major. And for us, who got to sit back, take it all in, and just enjoy it all.
“I hope we put on a good show for you,” Woods said.
It wasn’t instant – and thankfully so. Just gratifying.