Tiger Woods won five times in 2009, but for the fourth time in his 13-year career, he was shutout in the majors. That may not be cause for concern for Woods, but it gives fans and the media something to talk about. It also makes the "How would you rank the major championships?" question a lot more interesting.
With only one tournament left on the PGA Tour calender, now seems like as good a time as any to make my case. Obviously, this will be a scientifically rigorous endeavor, and I hope that you would treat the results accordingly. Or don't. Whatever, let's get to it.
In reverse order, the most exciting majors of 2009:
If you're like me, Sunday at the Masters is the pinnacle of the golfing year. Starting Monday, we face the longest stretch of time before we get to hear the wonderful sounds of Augusta again, see the bursting colors of the azaleas and cheer on guys to make eagles on 13 or 15 coming down the stretch Sunday. At this year's Masters, one of the better ones you will ever see, there were both winners and losers. Check out who we thought was the best choice for both.
Every Monday during the PGA Tour season, Monday Pin Placement will run as a wrap-up of the weekend's action. Basically, we'll focus on what you missed while you were out grinding on the putting green.
In 1996, Greg Norman had one of the most epic collapses in the history of golf. Carrying a six-shot lead into the final round of that year's Masters, Norman was set to finally grab that green jacket that had eluded him for so long.
You all know the story. Norman wound up losing the tournament to Nick Faldo and in accordance with the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words," has this lasting image that summed up his experience at Augusta. After a final round 78, Norman had two choices: he could duck out of Augusta or he could face the music. Norman responded courageously by heading into the press room and answering all questions asked of him for 45 minutes. He earned the respect of darn near any golfer that has played the game.
Will Brinson, Ryan Wilson and Shane Bacon fired up the podcast machine shortly after the 2009 Masters ended to talk about what the tournament means, as well as a bunch of other stuff, including who they would pick to replace Jim Nantz if he ever retires, and whether Shane could shoot a 75 at Augusta tommorow. Download and/or listen after the jump.
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Please resist any temptation to call it anticlimactic, a multi-car pileup won by the least-damaged vehicle, a classic movie with a clumsy ending, a spectacular piece of drama ultimately doused by Rae's Creek and sabotaged by mental blunders. Yes, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods gave us four vintage hours in the Octagon, if the stuffy fathers at Augusta National allow UFC slang. Yes, they were followed by 99.9 percent of the patrons, with only friends and family types watching those actually leading the tournament in a scene both sad and surreal.
And, yes, Mickelson oh-so-predictably wilted after a historic front nine while Woods somehow lost his way when the usual clinch hold was expected.
The final day of the 2009 Masters certainly unfolded in a bizarre fashion, but after Kenny Perry pulled his second shot on the 10th hole left of the green and failed to get up and down, Angel Cabrera had two putts to win the tournament on the second sudden-death playoff hole and became the last golfer standing in a Sunday slugfest at Augusta.
Perry seemed locked to win the tournament, holding a two-stroke lead with just two holes to play, but he finished bogey-bogey down the stretch, allowing playing partner Cabrera and Chad Campbell to join him in a sudden-death playoff.
Kenny Perry had the Masters wrapped, staring down a two-stroke lead with just two holes to go. But he missed just left on 18 to close out bogey-bogey, and after an impressive Angel Cabrera up-and-down for par on 18, there's going to be some free golf at Augusta.
If you expected the two major championship-leaders to come out a bit timid in the third round of the Masters, you probably weren't alone. Many times in big golf tournaments, names sneak up on the leaderboard that slowly fade as the weekend progresses.
Kenny Perry is 48 and skipped major championships last year to focus on his goal of making the Ryder Cup. Angel Cabrera hasn't been heard of since that '07 U.S. Open victory. Chad Campbell hasn't won on tour since 2007.
It's moving day at the Masters. Join FanHouse as we document events as they unfold in real time. That's right, it's a little something we like to call a "live blog," old-school style. Fun starts after the jump.
If Tiger Woods uses Thursday to get acclimated to Augusta National, Friday is when he makes his move up the leaderboard. In his previous 12 appearances, Woods averaged an opening round 72.5, but followed with a 70 in Round 2. In his four Masters victories, the numbers are even more staggering: 71, on average, on Thursday; 66.8 on Friday.
Tiger Woods won five times in 2009, but for the fourth time in his 13-year career, he was shutout in the majors. That may not be cause for concern for Woods, but it gives fans and the media something to talk about. It also makes the "How would you rank the major championships?" question a lot more interesting. 
Every Monday during the PGA Tour season, 
The final day of the 2009 Masters certainly unfolded in a bizarre fashion, but after 
Kenny Perry
