All those colourful descriptions and adjectives once reserved for Tiger Woods now have a new owner.
So let's let out a big roar for Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, destined to soon take ownership of the No. 1 World Golf Ranking and keep it for perhaps as long as Woods, who until recently getting toppled had been ranked at the top for a record 623 weeks (including two stretches of consecutive No. 1 weeks of 264 and 281).
So, the greatest? Was Tiger, now it certainly appears to be Rory. Best swing? Rory. Ability to close? Was Tiger, now it's Rory. Puts fear into the others? Tiger no more, but Rory? Yes!
The kid with the bad haircut and the great golf swing is only 22 and yet he has dominated the majors so far this year. He was the best player for 63 holes at this year's Masters before a series of rookie nerves sent him reeling. That experience bothered him so much, all he did was win the U.S. Open by eight strokes and move to No. 4 in the world.
No. 1 awaits, if he goes ahead and wins the British Open later this month at Royal St. George's, where he will undoubtedly be the favourite, even if the troubled Woods is part of the field.
The casual golf fan may not have been aware of McIlroy before his astonishing performance at the first two majors this year. But golf's cognoscenti have been well aware of McIlroy since he was low amateur as an 18-year-old at the 2007 British Open and has blossomed since, racking up seven top-20 finishes in his last 10 majors as a pro. Those in Northern Ireland, though, started hearing about McIlroy the golf phenom before he turned 10. He won the world under-10 title as a nine-year-old and has been a home-country celebrity ever since. A three-minute video making the Internet rounds shows a nine-year-old Rory on an Irish television show, chipping golf balls into the opening of a clothes dryer. The host says during the 1998 program that America has Tiger Woods and Northern Ireland has "our little Rory."
McIlroy is "little" no more. He's golf's new Mr. Big. If Woods ever needed any more motivation to get back to No. 1, McIlroy has delivered it in emphatic fashion.
Rick Reilly, espn.com: "You know the idiot who hollers "You Da Man!" in the nanosecond after impact on televised tournaments? For the first time in 14 years, he's not referring to Woods. The Man is McIlroy now."
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho: "The Cleveland Cavaliers took Duke guard Kyrie Irving No. 1 in the NBA draft. "We're looking forward to Kyrie joining our team," said a spokesman for the Miami Heat.
R.J. Currie of sportsdeke.com: The Alouettes-Bombers preseason opener was broadcast on TSN. It had the usual mix of confusion about CFL rules, not knowing what down it was or which team had the ball, combined with numerous bad play calls. But enough about Rod Black."
Currie again: "Reuters reports a businessman in Scotland unintentionally flushed a bundle of money down the toilet. Finally, someone who can sympathize with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder."
Blogger Bill Littlejohn, on Tiger Woods saying he wouldn't be playing in the AT&T event because of doctor's orders: "Dr. Ruth?"
Steve Rushin of SI.com, on the double-edged sword of being an 80-year-old manager: "In America, there are two kinds of old people: Dopes and sages. You're either Mr. Magoo or Mr. Miyagi, with no in-between."
Headline at SportsPickle.com: Vancouver mayor: 'We now believe the rioters were visiting Philadelphia fans.' "
Fark.com: "Psychology professor gives an in-depth explanation detailing why sports fans riot. He could have saved a lot of time and just said 'beer.' "
Brad Dickson in the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald, on Maurice Clarett speaking out in defence of ex-coach Jim Tressel and Ohio State: "Now if they can only get O.J. Simpson, Barry Bonds, the Chicago Black Sox, sprinter Ben Johnson and Rosie Ruiz behind them, the Buckeyes will be in good shape."
Comedy writer Alan Ray, on Jack McKeon, the Marlins' 80-year-old manager: "When he's looking for relief in the seventh, he signals for Metamucil."
Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: "The Dodgers split a pair Friday - owner Frank McCourt and ex-wife Jamie, that is. The contentious divorce settlement's logjam was finally broken, insiders say, when they agreed to joint custody of the batboys."
Janice Hough, of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: "Phoenix Suns president Lon Babby called into a Phoenix radio station to say 'I have said it a zillion times. We are not trading Steve Nash.' Translation, no one made them a good enough offer."
Another one from Hough: "NHL star defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom has announced he will return for a 20th season with the Red Wings. Which is a big relief to Detroit fans, who were worried he would decide to spend more time with his grandchildren."
