It wasn’t long ago when the headliners on the PGA Tour were the young guns like Tiger Woods and Charles Howell, and the 30-something group that includes Ernie Els, David Duval, and Justin Leonard. Anybody in their 40s was considered old school and might as well have been on the Senior Tour.
But heading into next weekend’s U.S. Open at Olympia Fields, players age 40 and over have not just held their own in 2003, but have flourished. They may have gray in their hair, but not in their game is golden. Players in their 40s have won five times this year and 10 are among the Top 30 on the money list.
Suddenly, the thought of Vijay Singh, 40, or Kenny Perry, 42, winning the year’s second major seems as probable as Tiger Woods successfully defending the trophy he won at Bethpage.
In fact, my money is on Singh, who is playing the best golf of his career, having won the Phoenix Open and Byron Nelson. Perry is coming off back-to-back wins at the Colonial and the Memorial, while Scott Hoch, 47, and Fred Couples, 43, won the Ford Championship at Doral and the Shell Houston Open, respectively.
Jeff Sluman, 45, Bob Tway, 44, Brad Faxon, 41, Kirk Triplett, 41, and even Jay Haas, 49, have been in contention at multiple tournaments with Haas posting four Top 10 finishes. Davis Love III, 39, has won three times this year.
“I guess we’re teaching the young kids how to play golf now,” said Singh, who was 39 when he won the Phoenix Open in January. “I thought when I got old the golf course was going to play longer. It actually is playing shorter. That shows you how much of a difference the equipment makes.”
Improved equipment is one factor that has helped the 40-something players compete with their younger rivals. Other factors include: maturity; knowledge of the golf courses; familiarity with the strengths and weaknesses of their own games; and improved fitness regimens.
“The big thing is have you got the desire?” said Nick Price, 46. “Do you still want to go out and compete? I’ve paced myself really well and I just enjoy playing. I enjoy going out and hitting balls. As long as I stay in pretty good shape, until the interest dies, I hope I’m still out here.”
The increase in prize money and the need to keep competitive heading into eligibility for the Champions Tour are also motivating older players. Also, with his kids grown, Perry finds it easier to concentrate on golf.
“Mentally and emotionally I’m so much calmer on the golf course,” he said after winning the Memorial. “I just feel relaxed for some reason. I feel like when I get into the heat of the shot, I am able to slow down, my heart rate slows downs. I slow everything down and I’m hitting terrific golf shots.”
Sometimes in boils down to simply enjoying what you’re doing and savoring every moment of it. “I’m trying to enjoy what few years I have left out here,” Perry said. “Jay Haas inspired me. He is 49 doing real well, playing great golf. I want to do the same.”
Said Couples, “I appreciate golf a lot more than I did. I have more fun playing than I did in the ’80s and ’90s. There is no doubt.”
Certainly, Woods or Howell could walk away a winner Sunday at Olympia Fields. But so could someone who in previous years might have been considered past his prime. In today’s game, being older can be better.