Stop Me When I Start Lying: Golf losing its faces

In the wake of Bubba Watson's 2nd Majors win (and awesome celebration dinner at Waffle House), it's becoming apparent: golf may be in trouble. Not from a talent standpoint, but from a national appeal and attention standpoint. Watson, Rory McIlroy (being flicked by current face of golf in picture above), Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott, and others have the talent to be good for a long time. But if noone becomes dominant or (darker option) divisive, who's gonna watch them instead of binge watching shows on their DVR on Sunday? Tiger Woods has been the polarizing but undoubted face of the sport for 15 years or so now. He was so good he changed all the expectations of golfers; he's still #1 in the world and won more than any other golfer last year despite the public acting like me may be done. He created intrigue from being a young Black phenom in an elitist sport to a mysterious car crash and about 700 women bragging that they took a swing on his 9 iron. For a million different reasons - including his dominance, physique, his temper, his race, his tabloid personal life, etc. - Tiger has brought a million different eyes to the sport that weren't watching before. As an African-American male, I'll admit I am more interested in golf (for watching and as a hobby) now than I was before Tiger started dominating; after all, it's a sports that's never seemed very inviting to people of color. But beyond race, plenty of people of all demographics became more interested in golf either to marvel at him or root against him. In a sport that's run by filthy rich middle-aged elitist country club white guys, Tiger didn't look, act, or sound like them. He was kicking their asses though; some liked that, some couldn't stand it. It seemed to invite "outsiders" in, at least as fans or weekend players if not pros. But even past Tiger, the #2 draw was also unquestioned, Phil Mickelson has been the left-handed good guy chasing Tiger's top spot. Even if you rooted against him for Tiger, it's hard not to like Phil. He just seems like a great guy. But he's 43 and Tiger is a physically beaten down 38, meaning both of their primes are in the rear view mirror. So who's taking the torch? Rory looked set to do it: young, talented, famous athlete girlfriend, commercials with Tiger, etc. But then he follows up winning majors with virtual "no shows" missing cuts and such. Until he becomes consistently good, "Rory McIlroy Golf" isn't gonna sell EA Sports video games like "Tiger Woods Golf" has. I like that Bubba Watson gives off the image of a non-elitist; after all he goes by Bubba, makes silly music videos, and follows up majors wins with celebration meals at Waffle House. But is his name and face gonna get kids to buy golf video games over Call of Duty? And he's quietly almost as old Tiger. They released the ratings for the Masters today and they're down a solid 35% from just last year. And I don't see it turning back the other way unless something big happens soon. Although I think Tiger and Phil have a bit left in the tank, at this moment golf seems (alongside boxing) as sports that are in a countdown to losing the stars that have fueled the sports' relevance in recent history. You might not like that I said it, but Stop Me When I Start Lying...