Major Moments

There is no doubt that Rory McIlroy's performance at Congressional Country Club this past week was impressive. However, something was missing. Namely, there were no major moments. What I mean by major moments is there was not a particular shot that will always be remembered. Of course setting records is great, but in the end all that will be remembered from this year's United States Open are the numbers. This is because there was no need for a clutch shot down the stretch since he had such a large lead. Overall what makes major championship golf great are the shots that will be remembered for ever, not the hoisting of the trophy. While it was not easy to watch at the time, and it would have been easier at the time if he had been blowing away the field, I am glad that Phil Mickelson has had a few major moments while winning his four major championships. Now I would like to remember a few of those major moments.

In 2004 Phil Mickelson came to Augusta National without a major championship on his resume, and with this lack of a major came considerable media pressure. This is because he had already won 22 PGA Tour tournaments. Phil played great the first three days though and entered Sunday tied for the lead. Then Phil shot a two over par 38 on the front, followed by pars on 10 and 11, and came to the 12th tee three shots behind Ernie Els. Once again it looked like a major would elude Phil Mickelson. However, this is when a major moment took place. Phil went pin hunting on the par three 12th and hit a solid shot to about 18 feet past the hole. He then proceeded to bury the putt. His back nine charge had officially started. Three birdies and two solid shots on the 18th hole later Phil was only 18 feet away from his first major. This is when one of the greatest major moments of all time took place, as Phil made the putt to win his first major and capped it off with a jump that will be remembered forever.

Phil's next major moment came at the 2005 PGA Championship. In the final round, Phil came to the par five 18th tee tied for the lead. He proceeded to hit a solid tee shot. What is notable about this major moment is that he hit his tee shot close to a plaque commemorating a great shot that Jack Nicklaus had once hit, and right before he hit his second shot he tapped the plaque with his club. Then he went for the green in two. He hit a solid shot that came up just short and right of the green. This is when his short game, which he is know for, came up big as he hit his chip shot within three feet and made the putt for birdie to win his second major championship.

Finally, there is the 2010 Masters. That week Phil entered the final round one shot behind Lee Westwood. He played the first 11 holes in one under par that day. Then a major moment took place as Phil hit a solid tee shot about 18 feet past the hole on the par three 12th and made the putt to finally emerge as the frontrunner. Overall it was almost an exact replica of how Phil played the 12th hole in the final round in 2004. In addition, another more memorable major moment would ensue, just like in 2004. On the 13th hole Phil hit his drive into the trees and pine needles to the right of the fairway. At this point Phil had the lead and it looked as if he was going to lay up and try to make birdie the conventional way. It is a good thing he didn't take that safe route though because we would have missed one of the greatest major moments ever. This is because Phil hit his second shot, which was from the pine needles, from behind a tree (however the tree really was not in his way but is sure makes for a better story), over a creek, and just over 200 yards from the hole, to roughly three feet. A couple of birdies later and Phil would slip on the green jacket for a third time.

Overall I am not saying that Rory's win this past week was not impressive. I am just saying that it lacked a major moment. In addition, I feel that Rory will win more majors throughout his career, and I am sure that he will have a major moment or two along the way. Furthermore, notice that Phil has won four majors and I only outlined major moments from three out of the four. So even Phil has won a major in not the most exciting manner (however if I really had to I am sure that I could find a major moment from the 2006 Masters because it was definitely more exciting than this year's U. S. Open). The bottom line is, major championships are better when they are remembered because of great shots, not great numbers.