A week or so ago, I got a call from a writer at Maclean's magazine who wanted to know whatever happened to the "twenty-somethings" who were supposed to be taking over the PGA Tour not so long ago.
His query, of course, was predicated on Rocco Mediate's Quixotic jousting with Tiger at the U.S. Open. Other names were raised during our chat, including Steve Lowery, who won Pebble Beach at 47, Greg Kraft who won in Puerto Rico at 44, and 47-year-old Kenny Perry who triumphed at the Memorial and the Buick Open.
To what do we chalk up their improbable successes? Experience, better conditioning, nutrition and training, accumulated ball-striking ability... or were the odds just simply on their side after all these years?
In 29 PGA Tour events this season, 19 have been won by players 30 and older and, as mentioned, four by players well into their fifth decade. In the Official World Rankings, only three of the top 10 are in their 20s, and their late 20s, at that: Adam Scott (4) and Justin Rose (9) at 27 and Sergio Garcia (8) at 28.
What will happen in the remainder of this Tiger-less season? Will the veterans continue to make the most of the void, or will there be a renaissance of the twenty-something revolution?
"I think any time there's a younger guy that plays good, there's always a little bit of buzz that's created and people are looking and hoping to find the guy that's going to challenge Tiger," Anthony Kim said Sunday after claiming his second victory of the year at the AT&T National.
"You know, right now, he's obviously injured and not going to be out here, but it's a time for the young guys to step up and make a statement. Hopefully, other people will get to know golf besides Tiger. He's done so much for the game. But at the same time, we need to step up and I think it's going to be an around time for all the young guys."
Kim will turn 23 on June 19, during the third round of the Open Championship. Should he be at or near the lead, golf fans will have all but forgotten about a fallen hero with knees of clay.
And that will be good for golf, kindling as it will anticipation for the return of the once and, perhaps, future king next season.