Golf's spotlight on No. 1 McIlroy

For the first time since the late 1990s, the early-season focus on the PGA Tour is on somebody other than Tiger Woods.

For the past 15 years, it was either Tiger coming off a dominant season; or coming back from an injury; or trying a new swing change; or hitting the headlines because of a lurid scandal and divorce from his Swedish model wife. No matter what was happening in his life or his career, it was Tiger this and Tiger that. Almost as if nobody else existed. Was he bigger than the game itself? Absolutely.

But this is 2013 and the professional golf spotlight this year is on Rory McIlroy, the 23-year-old Northern Irishman who already owns two major titles, one more than Woods had at the same age.

With a famous girlfriend (top 10 tennis star Caroline Wozniacki) and a brand new 10-year $200 million contract with Nike in his hip pocket, McIlroy is the new Mr. Golf, as well as owner of the No. 1 world ranking. Can Rory get comfortable enough with his new Nike sticks to hold on to his No. 1 position? As the season plays out, the McIlroy-Woods rivalry is bound to dominate the headlines, but there are other interesting storylines, too.

The shaky economic situation in Europe has resulted in a number of big-name European Tour players joining the PGA Tour this year, so watch for Martin Kaymer, Nicolas Colsaerts, Peter Hanson and Ryu Ishikawa, among others, to have a significant impact on the money list.

As for rookies this year, who knows? Last year's rookie of the year, John Huh, was a 'huh?' to most golf fans before he parlayed one victory and four top 10s into $2.6 million and a top-30 finish for the season. Rookie Russell Henley won the first full-field event of the season, the Sony Open, and other freshmen such as Luke Guthrie and Scott Langley bear close scrutiny.

And oh yes, Phil Mickelson, always trying to stay headline-relevant in the world of golf, said he was considering making "drastic changes" to his lifestyle because of high taxes, in the 50 per cent range. With income last year of a reported $60.8 million, he was faced with having to get by on only $30 million or so. Out of touch? Out of bounds, Phil!

Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: "Phil Mickelson - who makes about $30 million a year in endorsements alone - told reporters he will make 'drastic changes' because tax increases will eat more of his income. 'Now, if you'll excuse me," he continued, "I just need to finish this 'Will Putt For Food' sign I'm working on.'

Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald: "Geneva College in Pennsylvania has a freshman basketball player who is 43 years old. He's at that awkward age for a basketball player - too old to play college ball, too young for the Knicks."

Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: "This just in: As a way to cut down on illegitimate children and embarrassment to the league, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is recommending all players start having fantasy girlfriends."

Tweet of the week from comedian Chris Rock, mined from Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback at si.com: "Andy Reid wins four games and everybody wants him. Lovie Smith wins 10 games and can't get a job."

Steve Simmons of Sunmedia.com: "Best part about the NHL lockout being over: Watching five hours of hockey just about every night on television. Worst part about the lockout being over: Watching five hours of hockey just about every night on television."

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, linking a couple of big-time stories: "Lance Armstrong, in a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey, confessed that he resorted to performance-enhancing drugs because of a long-running Internet 'bromance' with a person who never existed."

Ostler again: "On the liar scale, Armstrong makes Barry Bonds look like a guy who answers 'Heck, no!' when his wife asks, 'Does this dress make me look fat?' "

R.J. Currie of sportsdeke.com: "A motto for any San Antonio Spur contemplating divorce: Remember the alimony."

Janice Hough again: "Sacramento basketball fans are hoping against hope that a deal will be struck to keep Seattle from taking their Kings. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, fans are close to begging anyone to take the Lakers."

Another one from Hough: "Andrew Luck will play in the Pro Bowl after Tom Brady pulled out due to an 'undisclosed injury.' Translation - Brady is sick of settling for the Pro Bowl."

Comedy writer Gary Bachman: "It's so cold Lance Armstrong injected himself with soup."

Steve Schrader of the Detroit Free Press, after the NHL ran full-page ads in 40 newspapers to apologize for the lockout: "A nice gesture, sure, but if Gary Bettman really meant it, he would have done it on Oprah."