Tiger's Struggles Once Again Coincide with a Parity-Filled Stretch on the PGA Tour

2012 US Open: Webb Simpson – 1st Major
2011 Masters: Bubba Watson – 1st Major
2011 PGA Championship: Keegan Bradley – 1st Major
2011 Open Championship: Darren Clarke – 1st Major
2011 US Open: Rory McIlroy – 1st Major
2011 Masters: Charl Schwartzel – 1st Major
2010 PGA Championship: Martin Kaymer – 1st Major
2010 Open Championship: Louis Oosthuizen – 1st Major
2010 US Open: Graeme McDowell – 1st Major
2010 Masters: Phil Mickelson – 4th Major
2009 PGA Championship: Yang Yong-eun – 1st Major
2009 Open Championship: Stewart Cink – 1st Major
2009 US Open: Lucas Glover – 1st Major
2009 Masters: Angel Cabrera – 2nd Major

Look at the 4-year period from 2005-2008 – only four of 16 were 1-hit wonders. Check 2001-2005: eight golfers who won one Major and are still seeking No. 2 (naturally, that period coincided with Tiger’s first funk – a 2.5-year Majorless run). How about 1997-2000? Dominated by multiple-time winners, with just three 1-win wonders sneaking in.

Even going back to the early 90s, you had Faldo (six Majors) and in the late 80s you had Seve Ballesteros (five Majors) on the heels of Nicklaus (18 Majors) and Watson (eight majors) dominating the late 80s.

Now? Just a bunch of random dudes winning their first Major. I’m not giving up on McIlroy and Kaymer and the talented under 25 crowd – heck, Mickelson didn’t win his first Major until he was 33 – but where’s the dominant golfer on the tour?