2008 U.S. Open: He's Going To Be a Good One!

We're most likely only hours away from Tiger Woods' next major title conquest and I can't help but think of one of TV golf commentators' most over-used lines, particularly in light of what Tiger did in Saturday's 3rd round of the 2008 U.S. Open.

This isn't about Tiger. He's way past 'going to be a good one'. He left everyone in various stages of speechlessness on holes 13, 17, and 18 Saturday.

This is about those young guns who play golf professionally but who aren't that well known nationally. 

Inevitably, as  a  tournament unfolds on live TV, and an up-and-coming but not well-known golfer is making a splash on the course with excellent or superior  play, the adroit TV announcer says "He's going to  be a good one!"

Pick the announcer. Most of them fall victim to this spontaneous malady. It's a pitfall fraught with too many commentators' comments to start naming names.

In reality, the golfer being called out is just having a good tournament—birdies, low scoring, etc. 

But some TV announcers, with airtime to fill and cerebral thoughts expected, too many times fall prey to one of the most overworked and, in my opinion, under-thought statements: 

"He's going to be a good one!"

All the poor lad has done, and on national television no less, is sink a birdie, or make a sterling recovery, or tied a well-known scoreboard leader. You get the picture.

Does this make a career? No. 

Does it mean he's going to be as consistently good every week, and "be a good one?" Nope.

But does that stop the TV voice from forecasting the future of this golfer? Not in the least.

All the pro is doing, and doing quite well, is having a good or hot day on the links.

Refreshingly, I haven't heard that line used at this year's U.S. Open telecast. 

In light of Tiger's 30 on the back nine Friday and his eagle-hole out birdie-eagle trifecta Saturday, 'good' appears to be taking a backseat to 'great' this week. 

Quite refreshing!