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Reemerging star

Leonard a PGA player to watch at the Kemper Open

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Posted: Monday May 24, 1999 05:48 PM

This Justin: Leonard brings his consistency to Kemper, looking for his first win of the year. John Ferry/Allsport

By Benjamin Berman, CNN/SI

The '99 campaign started out exactly the way it was supposed to, as "generation next" continued to make its mark on the PGA Tour.

By March, the young guns had taken home most of the titles, as David Duval, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els added a new championship trophy to their respective mantles.

Duval had four by the time the Masters rolled around in early April. But what has happened since has been more than surprising, it has been downright unbelievable.

Golf is a great game because of the challenge that lies with every shot and the unpredictability of each week's winner. Never has it been truer than in the last month on Tour. Call it the beauty of the game -- one where anyone can win on any given week -- but the old-timers (those over 30) are taking the game back.

First it was the 33-somethings, starting with Jose Maria Olazabal at the Masters. Olazabal hadn't been heard from in a while and, out of nowhere, took control of the Masters and ran away with a second green jacket.

Then it was Glen Day, who won the MCI Classic at 33. Then 34-year-old Jesper Parnevik won at Greater Greensboro, and then weeks later Carlos Franco (at 33) won the Compaq Classic. Then the 40-somethings got into the act. First, 43-year-old Loren Roberts took care of business at the Byron Nelson Classic and, finally, there was Olin Browne. At last week's Colonial, Browne won his second PGA event the day after he turned 40 years young.

Why Justin Leonard is a Kemper Open favorite 1999 made of 11 of 12 cuts, and has 11 top-25 finishes. 199 has 3 top-five finishes, including a second-place finish in Phoenix. 1999 is No. 18 overall statistics, including No. 4 in scoring average, No. 11 in putting and No. 13 in sand saves. 1998 earned personal-best $1,671,823 to finish eighth on money list. 1998 won THE PLAYERS Championship, with a five-stroke comeback -- the largest ever on Stadium Course at TPC at Sawgrass. 1997 British Open Champion, becoming the youngest British Open champion at age 25 since Steven Ballesteros won in 1979 at 22. 1997 Kemper Open champion. Won a tournament the last three years on Tour. 1997 member of U.S. Ryder Cup Team. Two-time member of the United States Presidents Cup Team (1996, 1998). Four PGA victories. Member of winning 1993 U.S. Walker Cup team. Only golfer in Southwest Conference history to win four consecutive conference championships. All-American at University of Texas, 1993-94. Winner of 1994 Dave Williams Award. 1992 U.S. Amateur champion.

And while some would say that the young guns aren't playing every week and that is why the old-timers are stepping up, that is not the case. In truth, there has been a Duval, Woods, Els, Phil Mickelson or Davis Love III at every event.

And then there's this week's Player to Watch Justin Leonard. The only young gun not mentioned thus far, Leonard is a favorite heading to the Kemper Open.

Still thought of as one of the big names of the present and future, Leonard has been lost behind the headlines about Duval and Woods. Sure the world's top two players are deserving of the all the headlines, but don't look past Leonard.

True, Leonard is one of the few "kids" who hasn't won in 1999, but neither has Love and his unreal eight top-10 finishes. Besides Love, Leonard may be the most consistent player on the Tour.

No. 11 in the World Golf Rankings, Leonard has been a quiet superstar on the circuit since turning pro in 1994. Since then Leonard has won four times, including the 1997 British Open.

At age 25, he was the youngest British Open champion since 1979. Last checked, Duval had no major championships and Woods just the '97 Masters.

A player to take seriously every week, Leonard is an even bigger favorite this week as he won the Kemper title two years ago. In his 1997 run at the TPC at Avenel, Leonard shot a 274 total, good for a one-stroke victory over Mark Wiebe.

Last year at Kemper, Leonard caught fire in the first two rounds, shooting a 68 on Thursday and 67 on Friday. Unfortunately a 76 in the third round removed any chances of back-to-back victories.

Maybe he hasn't won in 1999, but he has done everything else. He started the year with three top-five finishes, including a second-place finish in Phoenix. In 12 events, Leonard has 11 top-25 finishes -- the most on Tour.

Statistically, very few can compete with Leonard. He ranks 18th overall, including No. 4 in scoring average, No. 11 in putting and No. 13 in sand saves. Also, with $894,897 in the bank, Leonard ranks No. 11 in earnings.

With the old-timers' success of late, it may be time for "generation next" to reestablish its dominance and regain the headlines. No stranger to Kemper, this week may be the one to watch Justin Leonard reemerge as one of golf's young darlings.

Maybe he doesn't have the flash of a Tiger or the streakiness of a Duval, but he does possess the talent and consistency of a superstar.

Look out, before you know it there may be a commercial saying "I'm Justin Leonard." Probably not, but one thing is for sure: At Kemper, Justin Leonard is a Player to Watch.

 

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