Opinion & Analysis

3 Things from the 2013 PGA Tour season I’m thankful for

Published

13 years ago

Nov 28, 2013

As Americans settle around their dinner tables for Thanksgiving feasts, and golf fans start to take a look back at the year that was, it seems fitting to blend a countrywide tradition and a common impulse among golf fans.

Even absent a redemptive Tiger Woods major win and its inevitable jumpstarting effect in the golf world, 2013 still saw Woods return to the winner’s circle, Jason Dufner, Adam Scott, and Justin Rose claim their first major championships, and Jim Furyk fire a 59.

Here’s a look at three things from the PGA Tour season I’m thankful for.

Adam Scott’s Masters win

Scotty_Masters_

I’m thankful that Adam Scott, the best professional golfer without a major, got off the snide with a win at at the Masters Tournament. Seeing Scott handle himself (and later Angel Cabrera) in the fading light at Alister Mackenzie’s masterpiece totally redeemed the golfer, making his unraveling at Royal Lytham last year a distant memory.

I am thankful, too, that in his triumphant return to his home country for a series of tournaments in recent weeks the golfer has once again been brilliant, winning the Australian Masters and the Australian PGA.

Rule 14-1b

USGA_

As USGA President Glen Nager said after the joint decision/announcement with the R&A to ban the anchored putting stroke:

“We strongly believe that this rule is for the betterment of the game. Rule 14-1b protects one of the important challenges in the game — the free swing of the entire club.”

While I happen to be in complete agreement with Nager and company, even if I were of the opposite persuasion, I’d still be delighted by Rule 14-1b. Why? Because now we don’t have to see any more episodes of the “Will they ban it.” Neither do we have to listen to listen to talking heads and clubhouse stalwarts weighing in on the ethics of anchoring one’s putter.

Henrik Stenson’s surge

Stenson_Dubai_

From roughly the Open Championship through his win at the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Henrik Stenson played superlative golf. Stenson finished second at the Open Championship, tied for second at the WGC-Bridgestone Championship, third at the PGA Championship. The Swede then won both the Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship, then took his talents to the European Tour and captured that tour’s championship as well.

I’m particularly grateful that Stenson won’t be known to history as a promising golfer who lost hist game, or the guy who stripped down to his boxer briefs to play a shot out of a hazard, or the golfer who lost money in a Ponzi scheme. Hopefully, he’ll eventually be remembered as a major champion. Even if he doesn’t win a major, he’ll be remembered for this fantastic stretch of play and the novelty of winning both the FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai in the same year.

Happy Thanksgiving, GolfWRXers!

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

6 Comments

PO

Dec 1, 2013 at 9:49 am

Thank You, Rory, for beating the cheat with the broomstick!

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Troy Vayanos

Nov 29, 2013 at 3:50 pm

It was also great to see Phil Mickelson claim his first British Open.

Really looking forward to the golf in 2014!

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thefullsp

Nov 29, 2013 at 2:48 am

Stenson started playing great golf early season and his confidence kept increasing. Phenomenal ball striking capped off by his brilliant eagle on the final hole of the season during a runaway Race To Dubai win. Let’s hope he adds a major to the tally and enters 2014 as he left 2013…

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TheLegend

Nov 28, 2013 at 5:20 pm

Im def not thankful for the rule change. Still does not make any sense and just hurts the game!

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Deaus

Nov 28, 2013 at 3:20 pm

Stensons run sorta reminds me of Duval in the late 90’s early 00’s. He didnt win quite as much as duval but the way he struck the ball and how lights out he was throughout the bag is very reminiscent of Duval. He just needs to snag an Open or PGA.

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Mike M

Nov 28, 2013 at 2:27 pm

3 things im thankful for on the 2013 PGA TOUR is Tiger Woods winning 5 times. Adam Scotts masters win and Dufners PGA championship win !!!!

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