Question of the week [July 18-July 24]: Now that 2022's majors are complete — with Scottie Scheffler (Masters), Justin Thomas (PGA), Matthew Fitzpatrick (U.S. Open) and Cameron Smith (British Open) the champions — how would rate them as a collective group?
Excellent winners. Not exceptions.
I suggest you add world rankings at the time of their wins. The lower the total the better.
When Tiger Woods was No. 1 and won more than one major during a year, he'd have the lowest total. Using today's world rankings to illustrate the point — not the rankings at the time of their win:
Scottie Scheffler: 1
Justin Thomas: 7
Matthew Fitzpatrick: 10
Cameron Smith: 2
Total: 20
These are not exceptions like Orville Moody or Steve Jones. All are top 10 players. How often has that happened, if ever?
Steve Levee
Rockville, Maryland
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I thought the majors were collectively really good. We had one of golf’s recognized superstars win (Justin Thomas) with three others making their own big names for themselves with their 2021-2022 performances. All superstars in the making.
We had back-nine and last-hole drama. Winners adulation and runner-up heartache. Very entertaining and well worth the watch. If Tiger Woods could have made the weekend at the British Open that would have been the cherry on top of some really good icing.
Barry Duckworth
Knoxville, Tennessee
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Fourmidable or Four-Midable.
Paul Donaghue
Canberra, ACT
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This just shows that you need to be young and very athletic in golf now. I believe careers will end earlier as men, even in their mid-30s, won’t be able to hit it as far as the young guys — in the old days men in their mid-30s were in considered to be in their prime and won majors — and this will be an opportunity for LIV to attract more golfers as many golfers will see they just can beat the young bombers. Next year, I could see none of these guys winning a major and the days of multiple major winners will wind down.
Jimmy O’Malley
Needham, Massachusetts
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It was undeniably one of the very best years for golf’s majors. Fantastic venues, each with young champions in their 20s, and three first-time major winners.
Each contest displayed drama and raw competitive spirit across the final 36 holes. Each win was a breakthrough and window into the next generation of championship golf. Even the dust-storm of the LIV Golf-PGA Tour civil war wasn’t able to dim the brilliance of the majors.
Majors have never been about the dollars, petro dollars or otherwise. They instead serve to focus spectators and players on the pinnacle of championship competitive golf. Less is more, and this year it was bountiful.
Steven Lapper
Far Hills, New Jersey
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The new aggressive and talented youngsters are taking their place at the table based on talent. And with well-defined team support.
Jim Will
The Villages, Florida
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