more in endorsements. On the issue of peaking, Furyk says, “It’s different for everyone. They always say 30-35, when you’re still strong physically but also have that experience. But I think still having that drive and that hunger is the key.” I know if I had the chance to win $15 million, I’d be starving. Furyk’s 2010 campaign was the
start of a new epoch: the wounded- Tiger years. Woods had created an entirely new culture on Tour, but after being waylaid by his sex scandal there was suddenly a vacuum at the top of the game. It was quickly filled by a new generation of fearless young stars who are redefining the notion of when a player peaks. Jordan Spieth is clearly going to have a monster career, but it’s entirely likely he’s already seen the summit, at 22. Similarly, Rory McIlroy’s 2014 may represent his peak, at 25. Given Jason Day’s constant injury
problems, he may have just peaked at 27. What’s behind this early-onset? “The young players coming out
today are more equipped to win,” says Nick Watney. “They’re getting
Tour-level instruction earlier, getting Tour-level equipment earlier, work- ing out earlier. I think in the old days, guys showed up on Tour and had to learn to win. Not anymore.” Says Boo Weekley, “College golf and amateur golf have gotten so big, so prestigious and they set ‘em up just like Tour events. These kids are like seasoned vets by the time they get out here.”
hey also play a slightly different game. Singh rode to promi- nence by adopting a so-called
Increased training, space-age equipment and big money have
“bomb ‘n gouge” style, hitting driver off nearly every tee under the theory that it’s better to be 50 or 100 yards down the fairway, even if you’re in the rough. This is second nature for twentysome- things who have grown up with solid- core balls and nuclear drivers. “These young guys come out and they can all absolutely pound it,” says Bill Haas. “If they have a good putting week they can win anytime, anywhere.” But while various factors have helped today’s stars peak earlier, it is an open question how long they can sustain the high-level of play, or if they will be able
affected Tour players peak with 40 becoming the new normal: Vijay Singh was 41 when he won the 2004 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
to enjoy a second peak, like fellow savants Woods and Ballesteros. Golf Digest estimates that McIlroy made $49 million in 2014, and it’s easy to imagine that Spieth will soon surpass him—given that, will they be able to keep the hunger that Furyk maintains is the key to success? Woods’ scandal begat a tabloidization of the sports media, coinciding perfectly with the dawn of the social media age. Young players now face 24/7 scrutiny on and off the course. Older (less interesting) pros don’t envy the constant attention. Says Furyk, “The energy it takes for the very best to play 20 events takes its toll, absolutely. Will that cause them to burn out faster? We’ll see, I guess.” Indeed, despite the trends we have
seen here, when a player peaks is a deeply personal concern, influenced by innumerable factors. Says Watney, “Everybody’s journey is different— you don’t start at the same point, you don’t end at the same point. That’s what makes it so interesting.”
ALAN SHIPNUCK is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. His introduction to golf came as a cart boy at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
In 2010, Jim Furyk
won three times and the FedEx Cup at age 40.
Did Rory McIlroy peak in 2014 at age 25 when he won two majors?
FALL 2015 /
NCGA.ORG / 39
RORY MCILROY AND VIJAY SINGH PHOTOS: AP; JIM FURYK PHOTO: JOANN DOST
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