After the 'Big Easy,' Ernie Els, had his -5 par round of 68 posted at the opening event of the 2009 PGA Tour season, he found time to speak with an on-site announcer about some of the 'young guns' rallying huge crowds and creating major fervor in Tiger's absence. Guys like Camillo Villegas, Anthony Kim, Sergio Garcia and Trevor Immelman held the spotlight in the conversation, considering each player remains under 30 with at least one big win last year. Though Villegas had won three tournaments, Garcia winning the Players Championship, and Immelman taking home the magnificent Masters, the announcer believed Anthony Kim was without a doubt the shining star of the group, considering his two on tour victories and his integral role in the sensational Ryder Cup rally to win. This idea is in no way unheard of. Throughout the golf world, between announcers at events to conversations at muni courses, Anthony Kim has found his niche as the TOC (topic of discussion). Whether its his ball-striking, simple, but pure putting stroke, or his confidence in pressure situations, Kim has without a doubt made himself a key contender in every tournament he enters, which sounds a lot like a guy I've heard of...

Although, while the excitement of the 'young guns' remains centered around AK, Els believes Trevor Immelman will without a doubt lead the way in the 2009 season among the upcoming PGA Tour players. His contention: Immelman has captured one of the toughest feats on the tour--a major. Els chose his words cautiously, not forgetting to mention how talented these young players are. However, the 'Big Easy' found Immelman to be the easy and most realistic answer, thus the catalyst for a question: if a young guy wins a Major, does that qualify him for the status of the 'next up and comer,' the 'next Tiger', or possibly even the 'next legend'?

Though I have nothing against Immelman, from my point of view, the fact that he hasn't done much of anything worth mentioning since the Master's makes him unworthy of such a glorified reputation that Els was so quick to label him with. Players like Kim and Villegas played consistently well throughout the year; note the root word 'consistent.' Top tens, leading stats in GIR or least putts per round, and especially multiple wins, are the kinds of actions and events that make truly great players warrant great reputations. I just can't honestly say Immelman has captured my respect like the way other young players on the tour have and until he does, he will remain in the category where guys like Ben Curtis and Chad Campell are--the "Who knows how they won a major?" category.