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Looking back at 1999 Landmark year had many highs, few lows
Posted: Friday December 17, 1999 01:43 PM
The best of 1999 made a healthy contribution to the golf highlights of the century. So to close out and commemorate a landmark year, here's my list of the many highs and a few lows.
Best VictoryPayne Stewart's incredible poise and putting down the stretch at the U.S. Open was the portrait of a golfer maximizing skill and experience. Runnerup: Karrie Webb's Sunday rush to catch Laura Davies at the du Maurier and win her first major.
Most InspirationalJose Maria Olazabal outdueling Greg Norman at the Masters, capping a quietly dignified comeback from a near crippling injury to win his second green jacket. Runnerup: Tie between Tom Pernice Jr., who emerged from 15 seasons of obscurity to win at the Buick Open, and Jim Ahern, a lifelong journeyman who defeated Hale Irwin in a playoff at the AT&T Canada Senior Open.
Best RoundDavid Duval's closing 59 in winning the Bob Hope. No putt was longer than 10 feet, and Duval finished with a stirring 18th hole eagle, in arguably the finest single round ever played. Runnerup: Allan Doyle's closing 64 to blaze up the leaderboard and win the PGA Seniors Championship.
Best ShotWhile Sergio Garcia's no-look 6-iron to the 16th at Medinah -- punctuated by a running scissor-kick -- has become a signature moment, my personal favorite was Davis Love III's impossible slow-motion chip-in off the steep bank of the 16th green in the final round at the Masters.
Worst ShotEric Booker's smothered 2-iron while leading on the final nine of the Honda Classic that triggered his collapse. Runnerup: Jean Van de Velde's fluffed third shot on the 72nd hole at Carnoustsie that ended in the Barrie Burn.
Best PuttJustin Leonard's Ryder Cup epic on the 17th green at Brookline will never be forgotten, but Payne Stewart's 15 footer on the last hole at Pinehurst to win the Open was as good as championship golf gets.
Worst PuttTom Byrum's anemic uphill approach on the 72nd hole at Kingsmill, when two putts would have given the victory. Runnerup: Davies flinch from four feet on the 71st hole of the du Maurier to finally lose the lead.
Gutsiest ShotAfter the sky had fallen, Jan Van de Velde's six-foot putt for a triple bogey 7 on the 72nd hole at Carnoustie to stay in a playoff. Runnerup: Woods must-make downhill 8 footer on the 71st at Medinah to hold his lead on the way to his second major.
Best YearAt age 39, Juli Inkster emerged from apparent career twilight to win five tournaments including two majors, and a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame. Runnerup: Bruce Fleisher, the senior player and rookie of the year with seven victories and the money title.
Most Puzzling YearTie between Annika Sorenstam, who won twice but never contended in a major, and Phil Mickelson, who for the first time went a full season without winning a tournament.
Most Unsung FeatColin Montgomerie's seventh consecutive European Tour money title (the record on the PGA Tour is four straight). Runnerup: Paul Lawrie's making up a PGA Tour record 10 strokes in the final round to win the British Open.
Most Significant StatisticWoods' 49th position in driving accuracy while holding third in driving distance. No one else in top six in driving distance ranked better than 148th in accuracy. Runnerup: David Duval, ranking 164th in sand saves, getting up and down only 45 percent of the time.
Best PlayerWoods by a 3-shot par five. No one has more talent, more discipline, or wants it more. He begins the new millennium a 24-year-old gunning for his fifth consecutive PGA Tour victory.
Sports Illustrated senior writer Jaime Diaz covers the golf beat and appears regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN's Pro Golf Weekly.
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