Golf: Relive 2021's most important moments
In the realm of golf, something interesting happens every day, which is understandable given the game's intrinsic fascination. Many similar instances occurred in 2021 as well, which will always be in the minds of the fans, and we have selected 12 stories from those few fantastic stories that are heavy on emotion, hard work, and vivacity.
January
Harris English ends PGA Tour title drought with Sentry Toc triumph
The 32-year-old English, who was searching for his first PGA Tour victory OHL Classic in 2013, warded off Joaquin Niemann’s challenge in a playoff to grab his fourth PGA and 10th overall professional title.
The American, who had been at the top of the leaderboard for the first three rounds, had a roller-coaster final day in which he shot six birdies against two bogeys and into a playoff against Joaquin Niemann. But with his never-say-die attitude, he was able to win the title.
February
Tiger Woods hospitalized after horrific car crash
When everything was looking adequate after the havoc of deadly COVID-19, the tragic accident of the 15-time major champion Tiger Woods stunned the whole golf fraternity.
The 45-year-old, who is regarded as one of the most famous golfers in the world, was involved in a horrible accident on February 19, resulting in catastrophic back injuries and putting an almost end to his golfing career.
March
Tvesa Malik claims 10th title of Hero WPGT
The young Indian who proved her mettle at the big stages many times was searching for a win on the home tour (WPGT) as she was winless for the past 1.5 years. And at the Rambagh Golf Club in Jaipur, she did it by posting 1-under 209 in her three-day campaign and won the sixth leg of Hero WPGT by two shots to end her victory drought.
She plays majorly on the Ladies European Tour, but whenever Malik is in India, she misses no chance to play on the Indian tour.
April
Hideki Matsuyama wins 2021 Masters
Hideki Matsuyama became an overnight sensation in the golf world after winning the 2021 Masters at the Augusta National.
Matsuyama became the first Japanese and the first Asian-born male to win a Masters tournament. The government of Japan also acknowledged his heroics effort at the major by giving him Prime Minister’s award.
May
Phil Mickelson becomes oldest player to win a MAJOR
Lefty, who never fails to impress because of his ageless charm and ingratiating attitude, had some impressive professional wins in the past. But what he did in May was indeed exceptional as Mickelson not just became the oldest winner at 50 to win the major but also delivered a lesson of dreaming and achieving.
June
Jon Rahm wins US Open 2021
The month of June has been a roller-coaster ride for the current World No.1 Jon Rahm. The Spaniard, who carried a six-shot lead going into the final round of the Memorial tournament, had to withdraw from the Memorial tournament after testing positive for Covid-19.
But we never know what destiny has in store for us; as the saying goes, whatever happens, will happen, whether good or bad. Because, in the same month as Rahm's heartbreak at the Memorial, Jon Rahm won his first major title by defeating Louis Oosthuizen by one shot at the 2021 US Open.
July
Return of Competitive golf in India
The professional golf Tour of India announced their return after six months of COVID-19 break with ten prestigious events to complete the 2020-21 season.
PGTI made everything possible to conduct safe and sound competitive golf tournaments just like they did in the previous year when the dangerous Corona speeded his arms all over the world. The second wave in India made almost every sport suffer because of the precarious transmission of the deadly delta variant of COVID in India, especially in April and May.
August
Aditi Ashok heroics at Olympics at 2020 Tokyo Olympics
The golfer who woke all India up at 5 in the morning, Aditi Ashok, started her Tokyo Olympic journey with a blistering 4-under 67, followed by solid 5-under 66, and with another 3-under 68 to remain in contention.
That was the point at which the majority of people in India began seeking information on how to play golf, the laws of golf, and how Aditi could bring the medal to India, among other things. The entire country stood up to watch a sport that most people had never heard of. Furthermore, the final day was suspenseful since predicting who would win the three medals was impossible.
Aditi was tied for fourth after a dramatic 17 holes game and required a birdie on the final 18th hole to force a playoff, but she lost the golden opportunity and settled for par instead, finishing just one stroke short of a medal.
September
Shubhankar Sharma finishes tied-9th at BMW Championship
Shubhankar Sharma has not missed a single opportunity to impress critics since his arrival in the world of golf. Whether winning the 2018 Asian Tour Order of Merit, winning a European Tour event, or receiving an invitation to the prestigious Masters, he has always made himself and his country proud.
In the 2021 BMW Championship, the 25-year-old Sharma did something no one imagined from a young star; he chipped in for birdie with his left hand on the 4th hole and shot 6-under 66 for the day to finish the event at a creditable tied-9th position.
October
Return of the Asian Tour
Asian Tour, who held their last event in March 2020, announced two events in November-December and many others after New Year break as part of the 2020-21 schedule.
The news came as a massive relief to not only fans but also players, some of India's best golfers have already proven their worth, and now, alongside the veterans, young guns like Chikkarangappa S, Rashid Khan, Aman Raj, and Veer Ahlawat, to name a few, have expressed their excitement to compete on the Asian Tour.
November
Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational
Another edition, another nail-biting contest, another result in a playoff.
Fourth time in a row, the prestigious Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational’s result came out in the playoff after a nail-biting four days at the Chandigarh Golf Club.
The old Wine, Shiv Kapur, made everyone believe that he is a born champion, not just a player when competing. Kapur, who had not participated in a golf competition in a long time, posted a blistering 19-under 269 in four days and finally won the event in a playoff after warding off the immensely talented 10-time PGTI winner Rashid Khan.
December
The big cat is back on track
After a horrifying car accident in February, everyone was in a severe dilemma whether our champion will able to make a comeback at the course or not. But Tiger being Tiger, he thrashed all odds and worked hard during his rehab days to get back on track as soon as possible, and with his courage and daring nature, he overcame the pain and made a comeback on course.
Though the tournament for which he made himself ready was not a regular PGA Tour event, but a 36-hole team event alongwith some series of Pro-Ams for two days.
In the PNC Championship event, he played alongside his talented son Charlie, and despite not being in good condition, his team finished second at the tournament. Woods also showed his desire of playing at the US Open 2022, which is still 154 days away.
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