If you’re not first you’re last, a movie character once said, and we’ve had a number of players find themselves first in the most important places for the first time in 2016.
Dustin Johnson won a major for the first time at the U.S. Open and everyone thinks that the first won’t be the last. Ariya Jutanugarn won her first major at the Ricoh Women’s British Open and four other tournaments. Johnson and Jutanugarn are The Post’s Players of the Year.
Henrik Stenson won his first major at age 40 with a performance for the ages at the Open Championship, shooting 63 in the final round, which still leaves runner-up Phil Mickelson thunderstruck.
Jimmy Walker won his first major at the PGA Championship as did Danny Willett when The Masters was dropped in his lap late on the back nine on Sunday. It would appear that both are still celebrating.
It’s the first time in recent memory that Lydia Ko was thought to have had an off year with four wins, including a major.
Golf was in the Olympics for the first time since 1904 and Justin Rose and Inbee Park won their first gold medals. All the players who participated in the Olympics were glad they did and those who didn’t play wish they had.
And Tiger Woods played in a tournament for the first time in 16 months, even if it produced mixed results at an event with an 18-man field.
Finally, this is the last issue of Global Golf Post for 2016. The first issue of 2017 will be Jan. 9. Happy Holidays to one and all and thank you for reading The Post.
The post The Shorty: Year of Firsts appeared first on Global Golf Post.
