From Worst to First

Nothing in life is guaranteed. Nothing in sports in guaranteed.

While Peter Cottontail was delivering baskets to kids around the world, professional golfers were shooting Eagles, Birdies, and Pars while vying for golfs most coveted prize, The Masters Championship. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson put on an exhibition with no pressure of being in the final group. They were counted out after Saturday because they were seven strokes behind the leaders. The two were paired together like a Hollywood script and stole the show from the leading group with great drives, iron shots, and clutch putting. After 16 holes, they put themselves in position to put serious pressure on the leading group, who was playing not to lose.

Angel Cabrera, Chad Campbell, and Kenny Perry were longshots on Thursday, but the front runner come Sunday because of their play the previous three days. Cabrera ended up defeating Perry on a second playoff hole. When I say worst to first, I mean just that. Cabrera is the lowest ranked world player to EVER win the prestigious Masters. In addition to this past weekend, he won the US Open in 2007; aside from these two, he is winless in America but shows up when the stage is greatest.

This is what sports are all about. The "underdog" is never out of the picture.

As long as there are two sides competing, anything is possible. The 1980 US Olympic Hockey team, Rudy from Notre Dame, and any team that faces recent USC Football teams (can you tell I am a little favorable of the Trojans). It is not only the Tigers or Lefties of the world that can show up and steal the spotlight for a weekend or two in the sports world. Until next time...

Branden E. Jones