FanHouse StewartCink

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:

Tom Watson nearly won the British Open nine days ago. A uncooperative putter -- one that has plagued him for most of his career -- proved his undoing, and the 59-year-old would have to settle for second place and the Greg Norman Treatment.

Last year, Norman, then 53, made a run at the Claret Jug, faded late, eventually tied for third, and spent the next 12 months accepting congratulatory wishes for the moral victory. There are worse ways to transition to the old-timer's circuit.

Amid all the back-slapping we've been treated to any number of explanations for Watson's success, despite his advanced age: a golf landscape devoid of talented young players, Watson's Open Championship experience (particularly at Turnberry), his shiny new hip, so and and so forth.

On Monday, hours after losing the British Open in a playoff to Stewart Cink, Tom Watson (don't know if you heard, but he's 59 years old) hopped a flight to make the short trip from Turnberry, Scotland to Sunningdale, England to prepare for the Senior British Open.

Last year, then 53-year-old Greg Norman logged a third-place finish at the British before tying for fifth at the Senior British. And through the first round, Watson is on a similar path. He's currently tied for sixth, three shots behind leader Fred Funk, after signing for a 67. (Interestingly, Norman also shot 67.)

A year ago, Greg Norman finished third at the British Open after leading the tournament through 54 holes. He then earned a top-5 finish at the Senior British Open the following week.

His out-of-nowhere showing at Royal Birkdale was enough for the PGA Championship to extend him an invitation. Partly because of his performance in Europe, but also because Tiger Woods was rehabbing a bum knee and Norman could help counter floundering television ratings.

He ultimately declined, Padraig Harrington went on to win his second major in as many months, and ratings were predictably awful.

As is customary, the British Open champion appeared on Letterman to read a golf-themed Top 10 List. Last night, Stewart Cink did just that after quite possibly the most randomly awesome introduction from Paul Shaffer and the band. (Because, really, nothing screams professional golf like 'N Sync.)

For 71-and-a-half holes, 59-year-old Tom Watson was Turnberry's best golfer. A two-putt bogey and four forgettable playoff holes later, Watson was a 59-year-old British Open runner-up. Stewart Cink, 23 years Watson's junior, had played flawlessly down the stretch and finally captured his first major.

In the aftermath of what almost was, Watson has been hailed as a hero, his performance a reminder that age, if just for a week, can be a state of mind. God forbid we leave it at that. The fact that someone who has been on this earth for almost six decades came within one shot of winning one of the toughest tests in golf can only mean one thing: it's not a sport.

At least that's the tired, cliche-riddled arguments you'll get from certain media folk every time an old-timer has a good showing. Because, you know, it happens almost weekly.*

Tom Watson has waited 26 years to win his ninth major, and after a "no way that's got a chance" putt to save par on the 18th green came up woefully short, he'll have to wait at least four more holes. The 59-year-old five-time British Open champion now heads to a playoff with Stewart Cink to decide the 138th Open Championship.

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I heard Michael Jackson died at approximately 5:30 PM ET. Hours later, I still don't think it's fully hit me. This was the man I idolized growing up as a kid ... I watched Moonwalker about 80 times on VHS (Joe Pesci was the villain). I once furiously outbid someone $159 for a replica Beat It jacket with 13 zippers. I actually have an 8x10 glossy of Billie Jean Michael taped next to my bedroom door.

Everyone -- from celebrities to sports stars to ordinary people -- had their way of trying to feel connected to the King of Pop. In his mere presence, fans have fainted and needed medical attention. So when news broke that Jackson had passed away, the reverberations on social media sites like Twitter were immense. Outspoken wide receiver Chad Ochocinco even went on to tweet "this is just as sad as 9/11" and then tried to play damage control after his offensive comment.

After the jump, read the emotional reactions from current and former athletes.

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Next Sunday, when the U.S. Open is wrapping up and you are dying to see a little more of the course that gave the pros fits for four straight days? Well, you're in luck, because in 2014, Pinehurst No. 2, the course made famous by its turtleback greens and the Payne Stewart leap, will host both the men's and women's U.S. Open in back-to-back weeks.

The USGA will play the 2014 men's and women's U.S. Opens on consecutive weeks at Pinehurst No. 2, assuming that one final, expected approval is given to the plan on Monday morning. The U.S. Open will take place on June 12-15 and the U.S. Women's Open will follow on June 19-22.

The arrangement, a first for the two events, arose when negotiations for Pebble Beach Golf Links to host the 2014 women's Open fell through. Pebble Beach will host the 2012 U.S. Open, and the club felt as though it needed more separation between the two tournaments.

Sure, Augusta National and the Masters has always carried that Par Three Tournament jinx, where no player has ever gone on to win the big tournament after taking the little crown. The Memorial has no jinx, so Tiger Woods decided to compete today in a little Skins Game match with Jack Nicklaus, Kenny Perry and Stewart Cink.

Tiger needed to make this lengthy birdie putt on the 18th hole to deny Perry four skins and the win, hitting the dead center of the cup. With five skins now on the line, all four players had a chip-off to see who would leave with the most cash to donate to charity. It wasn't an easy chip, from some rough just off the 18th green. Guess what Tiger did ...