Do We Have a Big 3 in Golf?

Last week I saw the David Feherty episode with Rory McIlroy.  This concluded three episodes this year that also included Jordan Spieth and Jason Day.  At the time it was recorded, Rory was #3 in the world behind Day and Spieth.  Rory was asked about them being the Big 3 in golf today.  He said there are many great players today.  Feherty’s question it got me thinking about the same topic.

Some would like to think we have a Big 3.  In the TV and Tournament market it helps with them marketing the events.  If you can promote one, two, or all three of these players at your tournament, it helps with ticket sales and viewership.  That’s not a bad thing.  The mores eyes we get on golf, the better chance we have to grow the game, or at least keep it stable.

To others, they say it slights all the other players out there today.  You have Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Masters Champion Danny Willett, and new US Open champ Dustin Johnson who are great players and big draws.  You still have tour veterans like Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and Phil Mickelson that bring people out to watch.

From my point of view, none of this is bad for the game of golf.  I enjoy seeing all of these golfers play.  Most of them have already won a tournament this year.  Mickelson and Fowler are the exception so far.  If people want to label a Big 3, that’s fine.  It seems that when another young player wins a big tournament, such as Fowler winning the 2015 Players and Dustin the recent US Open, talk of a Fab 4 always surface as well.  It just reinforces the depth in pro golf today.

What we need to take from all of this is that golf is in a good spot.  These players are all good ambassadors for the game.  Jordan, Jason, and Rory are down to earth players who interact with the fans, and carry themselves well, both on and off the course.  Rickie, Dustin, and Bubba are adored by the younger golfers.  Rickie more because of his Puma relationship and stylish clothes, Dustin and Bubba because they hit the ball a mile.  All these guys put eyes on the TV and fans on the grounds.

With all of this, I’m not saying Tiger is done.  He will come back, and when he does it will be the most hyped tournament of the year.  I’m sure Tiger will even win multiple tournaments, maybe even a Major going forward.  All good for the game.  How exciting would it be to have Tiger compete with any of these golfers in the final round of an upcoming Major Championship?

The game of golf is strong and I think some of the stronger days are still ahead.