Where Is Rory’s Rival?

With his success last year, Rory Mcllroy has solidified himself as golf’s face. Picking up hardware at the Open Championship, and also the PGA Championship three weeks later, has him slotted at #1 in the world, with four majors at the age of 25. However, as he rises to the top, golf fans are looking for a rival to challenge him. Where is his head to head competition that everyone wants to see? Tiger’s fading, Phil’s aging, Bubba’s gone cold recently, and a few younger players have been playing well recently, but not consistently enough to emerge as a challenger. People need some excitement among the top finishers. Not another win by eight strokes.

Throughout the sport’s history, Golf has been limited to only a few constant rivalries similar to what other sports enjoy. The tour format limits players when it comes to consistently succeeding, and having players face off one-on-one with the tournament on the line. There are not end of the season playoffs, frequent overtimes, or conference rivals. Not very often do players at the top of the sport have the playoff holes that electrify viewers. Jack Nicklaus-Arnold Palmer, Nicklaus-Tom Watson, Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson, those are the great rivalries people usually think of when it comes to golf. Without one present, fan interest can stagnate, and they simply get bored watching one guy cruise to the finish line. Last weekend we found our new challenger.

All of the buzz was not about Rory, or anyone most people have heard of. Young Jordan Speith broke out to an early -8 and immediately demanded all of the attention. This weekend I was lucky to catch a glimpse of who could be Rory’s new foe, and the newest golf name that many Americans would know by the end of the week. He finished in second place last year, but being only 21 years old, the prospect of another run for him really ramped up interest nationwide. This was his chance to prove last year wasn’t a fluke and that he could carry a lead. He had all year to think about watching his lead slip away in 2014. This time around he would not make that mistake.

Jordan captured the spotlight quickly and it never left. Speith kept his composure throughout and never lost his lead. This is the type of player golf needs right now. He’s young, confident, and composed. Both him and Rory let their game speak for themselves and limit any ego that goes with it. He finished -18 for a tied Masters record with Tiger, and won by four strokes that afternoon. He has received all of the recognition he deserves and I don’t think his success is going to halt anytime soon. Lets see how Rory can respond to a newer challenger to his spot atop the globe. If he can elevate his game, it will be a fantastic show watching them go at each other.