It wasn't a vintage golf season in my humble opinion, mostly because the so-called "golden generation" of British golfers didn't make much of an impression when it really mattered (please don't say "what about Justin Rose winning the European Tour order of merit?" The European Tour order of merit carries about as much lustre these days as the Christmas No1) and Tiger Woods wasn't quite at his epic best, at least not for the first half of the season.
Six highlights
1) Much to the annoyance of those mischievous souls who like to see the best-laid plans of the great and good go pear-shaped, the best golf tournament of the year was the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston, or, as the marketing department of the PGA Tour would have it, "the second leg of the season-ending FedEx Cup play-offs". Whatever, as they probably don't say at PGA tour marketing seminars. The point is that the final round paired Woods and Phil Mickelson together. Everyone expected a Tiger victory, but Mickelson shot a cheeky little 66 to win and offer at least a little succour to those who think he is Woods' equal in talent if not mental fortitude.
2) Zach Johnson wins the Masters. Not a highlight exactly, more of a vindication for those who argue the changes made to the Augusta National golf course in an attempt to meet the challenges of modern golf technology have diminished Alistair MacKenzie's classic course to the extent that average players such as Johnson can now prevail at major championships.
3) Angel Cabrera and Padraig Harrington win the US Open and Open Championship. Finally, after eight years of drought and eight years of asking Paul Lawrie what it was like to be the last European to win a major, the European Tour produces two major winners in the space of six weeks. Take your pick of which was best. Personally, I'll go with the Argentinian Cabrera, who held it together coming down the back nine at Oakmont on Sunday despite Woods and Jim Furyk exerting maximum pressure.
4) The John Daly express is now officially a train wreck, with the big man loitering around 500 in the world rankings and having to depend on sponsor's invites to play on the PGA tour. Still, he remains the most exciting player in the game. Daly's first-round 67 at the PGA Championship in Tulsa - on the supposedly "strategic" Southern Hills course - was a magical meeting of pure genius and total comedy. "Strategy? Pass me the driver, caddy. My name is John Daly and I don't do strategy."
5) Rory McIlroy finishes third at the Dunhill Links Championship. There have a been a few young European players who have come out of the amateur game carrying great expectations in the last few years. Some have made it, like Sergio García; some haven't - anyone remember Gordon Sherry? This finish (which, incidentally, he needed to secure his European tour card for next season) suggests the Irish teenager is more García than Sherry.
6) Tiger returns to competitive golf after a two-month break to play in his own event in Southern California, the Target World Challenge, and shoots 62 in the second round. OK, the course is rubbish, the field is limited and the tournament means nothing, but he beats every other player on the day by at least five shots. He eventually wins by seven, although it could have been 17 if he had felt like it.
Six to watch in 2008
1) Tiger Woods. Unless injury or Phil Mickelson intervene, I have a sneaking feeling this might be the season he wins all four majors. I could be wrong, of course. I always am.
2) Colin Montgomerie. Nick Faldo is a contrary soul so he might confound us all and give Monty a captain's pick for the Ryder Cup in September. But right now, it looks as if the Scotsman will have to play his way on to the team. Is he still good enough? Should be fun finding out.
3) Rory McIlroy. See above. Plays the game like it should be played - briskly and with a freedom of spirit. Something tells me he will have to play very poorly for Faldo to overlook him for the Ryder Cup.
4) Ian Poulter. A lot of the other pros laugh at him behind his back, mostly because they think he is too cocky. But the thing with Poulter is that, unlike many of his peers, he is not afraid to win. He is dogged and he can really putt. If he finds himself with a chance of winning a major, he may just take it.
5) Marc Warren. Famous in golfing circles for missing loads of cuts and carrying the Scottish team (ie Monty) to victory at the recent World Cup in China. A great young player ready to step up to Ryder Cup level.
6) Justin Rose. The next big thing becomes the big thing. Has the game to challenge for majors but has shown a distinct lack of bottle coming down the stretch in a couple of recent tournaments. Aberration or fundamental flaw? We should know by this time next year.
