2008 PGA Tour Season in Review

The 2008 PGA Tour began just like any other one in recent memory. Tiger Woods got off to a dominant start with early wins at the Buick Invitational, the World Match Play Championship, as well as the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

There was early talk of a perfect season, which for a moment seemed possible. Those hopes were diminished at the CA Championship in Miami, when Geoff Ogilvy prevailed as the champion.  That being said, Tiger once again was the perennial favorite as the season embarked on the first major championship of the year, The Masters at Augusta. 

Someone forgot to tell Trevor Immelman that though. A breakthrough performance, coupled with the fact that Tiger was unable to capitalize down the stretch soared the phenom from South Africa to stardom in the golf world. 

Rising star Brandt Snedeker also was stellar in his effort to claim the green jacket, although he collapsed in the final round with a 77.

From there, the Tour would suffer the absence of Tiger due to arthroscopic left knee surgery, his third operation on the joint. He would not return until the US Open.

Two young stars would shine in his absence in the mean time. Anthony Kim was able to capitalize with a win at the Wachovia Championship, as well as Sergio Garcia at the Players.

Finally, the US Open had arrived, the second major championship of the year. Anticipation and interest was high, and both were met with what was in my mind one of the greatest tournaments in recent memory. 

It came down to clutch performances once again by that man, you know who, Tiger Woods who kept viewers clinging to their TVs with each memorable shot.  No one would imagine though that it would be a 45-year-old journeyman from western Pennsylvania that would give Tiger the fight of his life. 

Rocco Mediate took Tiger all the way to the 91st hole of the championship before an apparantly ailing Tiger would prevail as the US Open champion.

It was all in all a memorable performance by both, culminating in a Monday afternoon playoff that had workplaces around the country buzzing about the result. Tiger would end his season shortly after, due to season ending knee surgery.

The  British Open Championship was won by Ireland's Padraig Harrington. The biggest story from Royal Birkdale though was no doubt the reemergence of Greg Norman.

Having barely played in months, Mr. Norman took golf fans for a trip down memory lane and almost pulled off a stunning victory.  Padraig Harrington would also go on to win the season's final major, the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills.

The FedEx Cup once again lacked drama as Vijay Singh dominated early and practically clinched the cup before the last event, the Tour Championship.

Last but not least, filled with patriotism and determination by a resurgent American squad, the United States reclaimed the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1999.  It was a convincing victory as Valhalla Country Club in Louisville was doused in red, white and blue.

The season is now over, as we look forward to 2009. Many questions though arise about the next season. Will Tiger come back and dominate? Will young stars like Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim challenge him?  Will veterans like Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh have success? 

These questions remain to be answered obviously, as one can only hope for an exciting 2009 season.