Woods returns in a field that includes nine of the world’s top 10 players and to a sport that is feeling younger by the moment. It was typified by Collin Morikawa’s thrilling play off win over Justin Thomas in the Workday Charity Open last Sunday.
Morikawa is just 23 and this was his second PGA Tour win. It came on the same Muirfield Village course to be used this week when the greens will play significantly faster with more challenging pin positions.
The young Californian turned professional only last year. He possesses a stunning long game with immaculate iron play reminiscent of Woods in his prime.
At number 13 Morikawa is now a spot ahead of Woods in the world rankings. It might not mean much materially but climbing above such an iconic figure, the reigning Masters champion, at such a young age certainly carries symbolic significance,
Morikawa is part of an exciting emerging generation that includes the explosive Matthew Wolff, who was second to Bryson DeChambeau in Detroit the previous week, and the ever improving Norwegian Victor Hovland (22).
Having finished third last week, Hovland has competed in all five events played since the PGA Tour returned last month and he has been increasingly impressive in each of them.
During the last three tournaments, Europe’s most exciting young talent led tee to green statistics and, having won in Puerto Rico in February, a second professional victory might not be far away.