On the same day perhaps the greatest major champion of this era won his first event of the 2013 season, Southern Hills Country Club was forced to wait at least one more year in its pursuit of another major championship.
First to Tiger Woods:
He's back. OK, not really. I just felt like saying it.
Here's how you'll know when Woods is back -- and I'm not so sure it will ever happen.
On Sunday evening, playing the third hole of his final round and the 21st hole of the day, Woods drained a 10-foot birdie putt.
When he can again consistently make putts of that length and shorter on Saturdays and Sundays during major championships, then he'll be back. Until then, he's just another legendary golfer who was let down by his nerve.
As for Southern Hills, it has to be a disappointment to be passed over by the United States Golf Association in favor of Winged Foot for the 2020 U.S. Open.
Last summer, the folks at Southern Hills talked hopefully about winning the bid for the 2020 Open. And as recently as five years ago, the folks at Winged Foot had decided to put a hold on their major championship plans.
Now, 2021 is next up -- a full 20 years since Southern Hills' last U.S. Open.
(
You can read John Hoover's column on Southern Hills' quest for another U.S. Open here).
Reading Hoover's column, you have to wonder if, these days, Southern Hills is merely the USGA's fall back -- the club they use to make the other possible venues sweeten their bids.
And you also wonder if Southern Hills' membership will ever regret chasing the Open rather than staying in the regular rotation for the PGA Championship.
But until Southern Hills gets turned down flat, there's always a chance. And often, back-up plans have a way of moving to the top.
