A win for the good guy, Rory

Sometimes it all works out. Sometimes the story ends the way we wanted. Sometimes the good guy wins.

That would be Rory McIlroy, who despite involvement in trying to save golf from itself, managed to finish first in the season-ending Tour Championship. 

True the early scoring is cumulative. But McIlroy must have done something right along the way.

Other than rallying from a six-shot deficit the event’s final day and also taking the Canadian Open, and finishing second in the Masters that is.

The word ”deserving” probably is inappropriate in sports, but if anyone is deserving of any special recognition it is McIlroy the 33-year-old Northern Irishman.

Rory and Tiger Woods both stepped out to support that PGA Tour against the Saudi-backed LIV Tour. A little loyalty is a big thing. McIlroy,  befitting the image of his countrymen, is personable. He’s also won four majors. One has nothing to do with the other, but  it certainly is a joy to have someone who’s a champion in many ways.  

The Tour (the PGA ‘tour)  unofficially is dormant  until the Fortinet Open in mid-September at Silverado in Napa.

 Same old, same old. Not alluding to the players or their games but the wearying struggle between the “we started this stuff”  so gives us a break,” amid the rich(er) guys on the other side of the bunker.

You’re probably aware that the Saudis or some other wealthy  royal types offered Tiger Woods something like $700,000,000 to switch sides and support the other people. To his credit (and his financial status) the other was rejected.

Exactly what Tiger would contribute other than a prestige factor—"look who we have”. But he’s staying, even if the current British Open champion, the young Aussie, Cameron  Smith apparently is  heading for the Saudi zillions.

There is a rivalry between the Old Guard and the Defectors, the players who went for the big playoffs.

It’s been great for some of the pros, especially those without fame or money, a group that excludes  former leading money winner Greg Norman, a founder, and Mickelson.

 When Sunday evening McIlroy was presented a check for  $18 million and a trophy, you could year a voice on television say, “Thank you Greg Norman.”

He pushed the battle, which apparently is far over. The Saudis  (and Norman) want the TV contracts held by the PGA Tour. You get TV attention by getting the players, which, in Mickelson.

Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepeka LIV seems to have acquired. But the only golfer who can be depended upon to bring in the fans and bring up the TV ratings is Mr. Woods.

The PGA Tour, not ignorant of the Saudi challenge, raised purse money for the tournaments beginning this fall.

The way tennis comes down to who is on court, and on TV, mainly Serena Williams, who won Monday night;  Golf needs attractions—winners who understand how they’re carrying the game.

Rory fit that category.

He’s young, dynamic, communicative and made up a six-shot deficit the final round to become the Tour Champion for a third time

Critics remind us that he hasn’t won a major in eight years. That happens. Golfers like McIlroy don’t happen very often. He’s a gem.