PGA: Is Matt Kuchar and Other Americans That Far Behind the Foreign Competition?

If you look at the latest World Golf Rankings, you see three facts that make you understand why American golf needs a shot in the arm.

The top three golfers in points are from foreign lands and the highest ranking American golfer, Steve Stricker who is currently fourth in points, does not have a major championship title to his name. The man next in line in points, Phil Mickelson is believed to be one of the United States’ greatest hopes to keep the championship on American soil.

Even at Congressional, the fear of another European victory is very real.

Right now Stricker, who is 44 and David Toms, another 40-plus golfer, are playing the best golf of any of the other Americans in the field. Mickelson turns 41 today, which speaks volumes about the need for the younger generation to come through and help lead their country out of the drought it is seeing in major championships.

Mickelson was the last American to win a major title when he beat Lee Westwood, the world’s second ranked golfer, at the Masters last year.

Luke Donald of England is the top ranked golfer in the field and expected to be a favor with his short game, which is ideal for conditions like these. Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell also figure to be in the hunt when play starts Thursday.

American golf will have to count on Sticker, Toms and Mickelson. But other golfers such as Ben Crane, Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan and Nick Watney to lead a pack of young golfers that have yet to really create their own mark on the sport that has been dominated by Tiger Woods over the past decade.

If you take into consideration that Americans have not been close to the top of the leaderboard of the last three major championships that shot in the arm may be a greater need for adrenaline than anything else. And because the most popular golfer in the world is not playing this week and has not been able to claim his old game lately, the surge by foreign players is that much greater.

While there are some who have been waiting for another young guy to become the face of the American tour, there are others that are hoping the old guard will continue the fight. And then there are some who are happy with the success for the foreign contingent.

But it does make for good drama.