When only a win will do
Tiger Woods apart, professional golfers are professional losers. Their defeats far outweigh their victories.
Actually, this even applies to Woods's career, but the great man has won 10 of his last 13 tournaments so who knows what his career stats will be if he successfully returns from his knee surgery.
So, let's leave Woods out of this one because for every other player a crucial part of the touring psyche is coping with failure. Leading players turn up at events with the express intention of trying to win, yet only on rare occasions do they fulfil the objective.
Of course, in professional golf defeat (especially a narrow loss) is well remunerated, but this isn't the point. Just ask or , both of whom have been straining without success to break through as Tour winners.
"A win is my immediate goal," says Wilson, and it has been for a while. In his young career the 28-year-old from Nottinghamshire has amassed nine runners-up finishes.
The most recent was when he started the 2009 season by losing a play-off to at the in Shanghai.
Then in Hong Kong last week, he was a dominant figure for three-and-a-half rounds, shared the lead going down the stretch but suffered a string of late bogeys that put paid to his chances.
The 19-year-old McIlroy, meanwhile, had closed with a 65 that put him in a play-off but he was unable to turn it into that cherished .
"I don't have any answers on why I haven't won yet," said Wilson, the only European to have played in the without a victory to his name. "I should have won by now, given what else I've achieved in the game."
And it is the desire to win, much more than swell an already healthy bank balance, that motivates these players.
"Second is the worst place you can ever finish," , never short of a theory, recently told me. "I'd rather finish 20th than second because when you are runner-up you know that you have lost," added the man who in his time has finished one spot away from winning the , US Open and US PGA.
This, by the way, is the same Monty who said: "I was first of the rest of the field," when he was runner-up to Woods at the 2005 Open - so it depends on your mood, circumstances and what spin you want to apply to a result.
Another insight comes from former Tour stalwart Roger Chapman, who broke his duck at the 472nd attempt in Brazil in 2000. He said: "You don't just want to be known as the journeyman who never won.
"Yes, it took a while but the experience of all those near misses that had gone before eventually paid dividends.
"I never doubted that I could win, but until you do you always have that nagging question of 'when is it going to happen?' and then when it does you wonder what all the fuss was about."
Chapman's Brazil breakthrough came when he beat none other than the current Open and US PGA champion in a sudden death play-off.
"I thought I'd blown it again when I put it into the water at the first extra hole. I got up and down for a bogey and Padraig, who'd also had his share of near misses, three-putted from about 50 feet," Chapman recalls. "Then next time round he went into the water and I got the job done. It's a huge relief."
Chapman, who is now counting down the days to his 50th birthday and the launch of his seniors' career next spring, is in no doubt that Wilson and McIlroy will not have to wait as long as he did for that first win.
"I knew when I was watching McIlroy with you on 5 Live at Carnoustie last year, that he is going to be special," Chapman told me. "These two guys are very driven, though Oli doesn't quite have same swagger as Rory.
"But the amount of times they are putting themselves in contention, they must know they are doing all the right things.
"What it takes is patience and hard work and the door will open."
But do they have to approach things differently to the way they have been when they come down the stretch? Chapman doesn't think so.
"I'm afraid it's just the usual cliché of one stroke at a time," he said. "I remember missing out on an English Open by finishing bogey, bogey and that was because I had been thinking about winning.
"You have to stay in the present and commit to every shot. When it comes to the crunch you have to remind yourself of the best shots you have ever hit - a long iron over water, something like that."
McIlroy should have won last season's European Masters in Switzerland and what he could learn from that defeat will serve him well in the long run. The 19-year-old from Northern Ireland has so much talent he will surely soon be winning for fun.
Wilson's first runner-up finish came in 2004 and it is extraordinary to think that a player with his game has still to win.
His consistency has taken him to 41st in the world rankings, effectively earning him a Masters debut next year; McIlroy (50th) is also likely to be at Augusta.
It is surely too fanciful a notion that one of them might make their breakthrough at the first major of next year, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility for their first title to be a big one.
In the meantime, they can count their money and reflect that being a good golfing loser is at least well rewarded.
But Wilson probably doesn't want to look at the latest Order of Merit, sorry, Race to Dubai standings just at the moment.
You guessed it; he's second in that as well.
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Comment number 1.
At 25th Nov 2008, 355gts wrote:remunerated?????
Surely you mean renumerated!
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Comment number 2.
At 25th Nov 2008, micky villa wrote:@355gts
No, he meant exactly what he said. Get a dictionary before you start slating people.
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Comment number 3.
At 25th Nov 2008, Friendly_Fire wrote:Interesting article Iain,
Didn't Padraig Harrington have about 20 second place finishes before he won?
Poor old Monty will be always be the benchmark though...
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Comment number 4.
At 25th Nov 2008, MarabouStork wrote:remu`nerate vt. - reward, pay - remunara`tion n. -remu`nerative a.
O Wilson and R McIlroy are both future Major winners, I reckon.
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Comment number 5.
At 25th Nov 2008, mikekpg wrote:Why does it so depress me that journalists such as Ian Carter never miss out on a chance to have a dig at Monty? These being the same hacks that hailed him when winning the Ryder Cup and leading the Euopean tour for so many years. Colin is far from faultless but he is still a far far greater golfer than IC is a hack, and one can hardly blame Monty for resenting reports that bite the hands that feed them.
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Comment number 6.
At 25th Nov 2008, Inherent wrote:at the very start you said let's leave Woods out of this one;what comes in the next paragraph- Monty was 2nd to aforementioned
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Comment number 7.
At 25th Nov 2008, kkr23 wrote:this is the most inane pintless blog I have read in years.
to rope McIlroy into an article about nearly men when he is a teenager in the first year of his professional life is totally ridiculous and unacceptable journalism. LAVE THE KID ALONE, why dont you focus on some other journeyman pro who has been on tour 5 years without a win. this kid is the REAL DEAL why tart to lump pressure on him in his very first year of playing when the vast majority of golfers dont even get to qulaify for the tour until they are well into their twenties.
The kid is alreadyu in line for an ppearance at the masters, some of our well regarded pros only get to play there two or threee times in an entire career.
TALK ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE ON THIS SUBJECT AND LET HI GET ON WITH IT.
Wilson has been trying to win for 5 years now when it gets to this point then start to focus on Mc Ilroy
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Comment number 8.
At 25th Nov 2008, Thanks A lot 91Èȱ¬7 wrote:Dear Ian,
This blog is a poor one, Rory is 19 and his near misses are normal at this stage, to build a story around that is very far fetched. I actually feel you should clarify to us readers what exactly your point with Rory was in this blog.
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Comment number 9.
At 26th Nov 2008, politefairweatherfan wrote:very very disappoiniting article. these two golfers cant possibly be bracketed together. one is a serial loser and one is only at the dawn of his career and has already shown enough to suggest he will definitely be a big stage winner. i trust an apology is on its way to mcilroy - it should be. (note to bbc - articles like this need to be vetted before going out).
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Comment number 10.
At 26th Nov 2008, kwiniaskagolfer wrote:Iain,
Why so harsh on McIlroy? And Wilson for that matter??
And please tell Mr.Montgomerie that his penchant for finishing 20th, in preference to 2nd, is costing him the world ranking points necessary to gain him entry to the WGC and Major events that he so clearly craves.
Not quite sure why every second 91Èȱ¬ article has to include Monty's blathering nonsense - sure that if he was banned from speaking into a microphone for a year, his results would improve exponentially.
More of this and you'll be on the Sports Gaming site.
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Comment number 11.
At 26th Nov 2008, Diggers wrote:Well I am going to defend you Mr Carter, I think some people just have a go at your blog out of habit, I personally find it a well informed read.
I don't think you were having a go at anyone, the psychology of winning is massive in any sport, I think the fact that Woods has won so many tournaments has mentally weakend a lot of the other guys on tour who just became used to second place being a good result.
Wilson clearly needs a win so break his duck, 28 is still young in golf terms but 9 second places will no doubt pray on his miond, lets hope he doesn't make double figures.
As for McIlroy, as far as I can see all your saying is it takes that bit extra to cross the finishing line, as is being proved by the fact that even such a talented young tyro as Rory is struggling. Its a perfectly fair point and one that he has admitted to himself, it doesnt make him any less of a talent and as is pointed out, for sure he will go onto win many tournaments having grown stronger for the learning process.
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Comment number 12.
At 26th Nov 2008, InGolfWeTrust wrote:'You have to stay in the present and commit to every shot.' McIlroy simply didn't do that in Crans-Sur-Sierre.
I think everyone agrees that he's a world-class talent, and it's only a matter before he wins his first Tout title and Major. He just needs to get a win under his belt and the titles will start flooding in from there. I wouldn't put it past him finishing top-five at Turnberry for The Open in 2009.
As far as Wilson is concerned, I'm not a fan. Sure, he'll win a few European Tour events, but a Major? No way. Without wanting to sound harsh, he seems like a choker at heart.
Jack Rivers.
Editor. www.InGolfWeTrust.com
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Comment number 13.
At 26th Nov 2008, chillidipper wrote:Harrington took a long time to enter the winner's circle as did David Duval. In both of these cases the first win opened the flood-gates and they (especially Duval) started winning for fun. One thing that was never said about these golfers (and many, many others) was that they were losers prior to this time. In fact, Duval was being talked up, rightly, as a potential world number 1 and a rare talent who was learning his trade at the right end of the game and was to be admired for his attitude and determination.
To label a youngster like McIlroy as a loser (even a 'good' loser) this early in his career is nothing short of ridiculous. He has just completed his first season on tour for goodness sake and the history of golf isn't exactly littered with tournament successes in the rookie year. He has, potentially, another 25-30 years at the top level of this sport, so it might be better to hold fire on such comments until he's at least 10 years down the line (not that I can foresee it being an issue).
Strangely i don't remember seeing many coloumns about Villegas being written prior to his maiden victories this season, or even Andres Romero last year - look at the way he played the 71st hole at Carnoustie last year, God what a LOSER. Instead these players were given, deserved, respect for their style of play.
Surely there are some real stories in the world of golf to be blogged on rather than a complete non-story like this;
- The effects of the credit crunch. The US LPGA has announced the cancellation of a number of tournaments next year, Buick have cancelled their agreement with the US tour to provide transportation and have ended their sponsorship of Tiger.
- The results from Q school, surely one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking occurences in golf and sport in general. Which players may be worth keeping an eye out for in the coming season after their performances.
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Comment number 14.
At 26th Nov 2008, Diggers wrote:Sorry Chilli, but where in the column is anyone labelled a loser?
Also I remember reading a lot of press about Harringtom and his 28 or so second places so it was indeed discussed at length, fair play for him in turning it around but even he is not a prolific winner, but he has bagged a couple of big ones so no one remembers the second places.
Another good example is Westwood this year, probably playing his best golf since his halcyon days but cant buy a win, yet even while he was getting back to his best he managed to win, Dunhill links I think.
Personally I think its quite an interesting subject.
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Comment number 15.
At 26th Nov 2008, goldwolf wrote:Shocking comment from Monty, maybe the reason for his slide down the rankings?
I agree with Roger Chapman, Wilson and McIlroy always seem to be in contention at the moment, and when you're in contention you always have a chance of victory. I'm sure both will enter the winnders circle in 2009.
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Comment number 16.
At 26th Nov 2008, mapledurham wrote:As far as Wilson is concerned, I'm not a fan. Sure, he'll win a few European Tour events, but a Major? No way. Without wanting to sound harsh, he seems like a choker at heart.
Jack Rivers.
Editor. www.InGolfWeTrust.com
Er...and your track record in competitive golf is what exactly, Jack? Withough wishing to sound harsh, do you know what you're talking about?
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Comment number 17.
At 26th Nov 2008, Javiesta wrote:Pointless blog.
I don't even think they are comparable. Rory is a nailed on superstar.
Look back on this blog in 3 years time and go why?
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Comment number 18.
At 26th Nov 2008, chillidipper wrote:Digbert,
Third last paragraph they are referred to as 'good golfing losers'. As i said i don't see any justification in referring to McIlroy as a loser and while Wilson may be further into his career, in golfing terms he is still very much a young man.
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Comment number 19.
At 26th Nov 2008, Diggers wrote:He is talking about the rewards of being a runner up in golf. I think the paragragh above it is a lot more specific to McIlroy, prasing the kid for making it to 41 in the world and acknowledging that when he does breakthrough it will be in a big way.
He is just saying being a winner is a big deal and it takes some doing.
Wilson is a different story, Im sure Rory will overpower some course and streak away to win by a mile, he's that good. Wilson is much more of a Luke Donald, another guy by the way who for someone so well rated rarely gets into the winners enclosure.
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Comment number 20.
At 26th Nov 2008, Wengerpore wrote:It does seem to me that a few of your readers need to take a valium, and then read your blog again. Wilson has the game to win - as long as he has the mental fortitude to get over the line. If he wins once, I think he'll win a lot. To win a major,he'll need to do a Harrington and learn how to turn the pain of near misses into bloody-minded determination to win - something that Monty, for all his talents, never quite seemed able to do.
McIlroy is scarily talented - he will win in 2009 and might even be young and fearless enough to win in Augusta, IF he can adjust to the greens
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Comment number 21.
At 26th Nov 2008, CosmoCave wrote:I think this is very harsh on IcIlroy.
He is only 19 and has only been on tour for one full year. It is ridiculous to say, because he has not won yet, that the year has been a failure.
To put him in the same position as Wilson is plain stupid. At the age of 28 I have no doubt that McIlroy will not only be a multiple tour winner but would also be contending for, if not winning, major titles.
This year has been a success for Rory as he has shown he has what I takes to compete for titles and has even broken into the top 50 in the world.
Peaple like Iain Carter need to back off and put less pressure on the players or their play might begin to suffer as they try desprately to get their first win.
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Comment number 22.
At 26th Nov 2008, ZombieDave wrote:"Poor old Monty will be always be the benchmark though... "
Hardly. He's had tons of victories, and it didn't take him long to start winning.
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Comment number 23.
At 26th Nov 2008, InGolfWeTrust wrote:'Er...and your track record in competitive golf is what exactly, Jack? Withough wishing to sound harsh, do you know what you're talking about?'
MapleDurham... my track record in competitive golf is, well, nonexistent. I don't think Wilson will win a major that's all. Just my opinion...
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