PGA Championship 2009: With Tiger Out, Who will Win?

Everyone knows who Tiger Woods is and anyone who follows the PGA Tour to any degree knows he’s the best golfer in America and perhaps the world. Tiger injured his left knee in July 2007, while jogging, but continued to play golf until June this year, when the ACL (a ligament) injury progressed into a double stress fracture in his tibia just below the knee. At this point, the injury had become too painful for Tiger to continue his game, so he made the decision to have ACL surgery, which would have kept him out of the golf circuit for at least six months.

Tiger announced his retirement from golf on October 15, 2008, because, in his words, “Quite simply, I lost the will to win.” With Tiger out, who will win? This is the question many people are asking themselves about next year’s PGA Tour. Phil Mickelson actually has an impressive record and may possibly be the best hope for Team USA next year, according to Ken Schofield, former executive director of the European Tour. He and Tiger are long-time rivals, so Tiger’s absence will give Phil an opportunity to prove himself.

Schofield goes on to say, "Mickelson has that capability. With three majors he should be the leader for America as Harrington should be for Europe.” He’s talking about Irishman Padraig Harrington, this year’s PGA Championship winner. Some golf enthusiasts have compared Padraig Harrington to Tiger Woods, because of his sudden winning streak. With Tiger gone, Padraig could emerge the winner once again. The 37 year old Dubliner keeps a cool head and is very serious about golf, having chosen the game over a career in accounting. Who will win in 2009? That remains to be seen.