As we’ve being brainwashed, imploring for epic prosperity from Tiger Woods in return to the course as healthy as ever, we've witnessed the greatest upset in golf. He’s supposed to be from another planet, but we ignored an epic landmark accomplished by a golfer who came out of nowhere to spoil Woods spectacle.
His name is Yong-Eun Yang, and he suddenly blossomed into the primary stage, celebrating a glorious moment and stealing the spotlight from the world’s greatest player.
On all joyful days, Yang was the first Asian-born player to win a major, with South Korea embracing the epic milestone with pride. Hardly, Yang was known as a competitor or even a matchup for Tiger to surpass him in the late stages. It was a moment Yang begot consciousness and withstood Tiger to cease him of winning a major title in a full year.
It was shocking on all levels to witness Yang sustain the 91st PGA Championship, as Tiger relapsed a 54-hole lead. That’s a rarity to watch Tiger, an exquisite golfer who has won countless majors in the past, complete a year without winning a major. And that’s a rarity to hear a name Yang, come out victorious on the final day.
This was supposed to be the tournament where Tiger dominated to save the uttermost performance last and conquer his 15th major title, which would’ve moved him within three behind Jack Nicklaus.
Oh well, it’s not all about Tiger. It’s about Yang, representing his native country by enticing the people back home with a chip-in eagle shot that rested 20 yards short of the green on No. 14, and finally won by three shots with a birdie in the final hole.
This prompted an imitation of Tiger’s fist pump as Yang continuously pumped his first and felt tremendous joy in reaching a climax against the worlds greatest. It was tense, but he was able to master a substantial victory, enough to silence people who believed in Tiger. But he wasn’t the one to prevail.
Instead, Yang was a surprising golfer no one anticipated to meet Tiger in a one-on-one duel; particularly when he was just ranked 110th golfer in the world and only captured his first career victory in the Honda Classic, dating back to March at the age 37.
At least the favorable winner could’ve been Padraig Harrington, but unfortunately, he ran into a downfall at No. 8 with a quadruple-bogey.
And there went the showdown we all had our eyes set for an eternal and hard fought battle between Woods and Harrington, a marathon that would’ve hijacked national coverage for countless hours. But in Asia, Yang absorbed much attention, and was the epicenter in receiving the noble prize and recording a historic moment among golf.
For now, Tiger will have to wait to rectify a struggling year of seizing a major. This leaves us to wonder about his knee after he spent eight-months rehabilitating from reconstructive knee surgery. You may start to wonder, if Tiger can win multiple majors before his time comes to a closure.
You may even wonder if Tiger’s era has already reached a terminal.
No. He has a few years left to increase a legacy, and receive honors as the greatest golfer of our generation. Throughout the year, in major events, miscues have cost Tiger.
And once again, he has replicated similar lapses by missing putts, nailing shots of trees, and struggling with accuracy to fire shots into galleries. That easily gave Yang edge to pull off one of the biggest stunners in sports this year.
And he benefited. Credit belongs to Y.E. Yang, who was as ignored as shortness was ignored. Standing at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, is the champion.
This was just as intriguing as Tiger Woods earning No. 15. It was captivating, and served as Asian Pride.
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