The season’s first major championship, the Masters Tournament, hasn’t even been played, but 2008 is already poised to be an historic year.

The PGA Tour has seen 12 winners in 15 tournaments, which means that one person has won three tournaments.  It isn’t surprising that Tiger Woods is that person.  Three wins in a young season is no small feat, but what makes it even bigger is that he’s only played in four tournaments.  In the tournament he didn’t win, the World Golf Championships CA Championship, he finished alone in fifth position. Tiger’s dominating start to the year, one of his best, has given this year the feel of something special.  The Masters Tournament awaits one of its most welcome guests and Tiger Woods looks poised to return to his old friend, the winner’s chair in the Butler Cabin at Augusta National.

No one is simply going to hand him the Masters trophy, or any other, for that matter.  Top competitors Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and K.J. Choi have themselves hoisted a winner’s trophy this year. Along with the veterans, young players like big-hitting J.B. Holmes, Sean O’Hair, and Andres Romero are in the top-20 in the Fedex Cup standings and have also given a champion’s interview.

The LPGA Tour also has a special feel this year.  Through five tournaments, the Tour’s newest superstar, Lorena Ochoa, has two wins and she’s promised an even better year that last year when she won her first Major, the Women’s British Open.  Annika Sorenstam has also taken home a championship this year, the SBS Open.  She’s no doubt returning to her fantastic form following a 2007 season that saw her sidelined with injury.  It will be fun watching Ochoa and Sorenstam battle each other, but young pros Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer, and Suzann Pettersen will also contend, and contend well.  Unlike in years past, it is extremely difficult for a player to dominate on the LPGA Tour, when the field that is increasingly deep, week-in and week-out.

Talk of which Major is the best, or strongest, or favorite is always open for debate.  What is certain is that, of golf’s four Majors, there’s no better one to start off the year than the Masters Tournament.  The idyllic setting, the years of history, the great battles and the masterful moments have indelibly etched the Masters into the hearts of fans.

It’s become almost ridiculous to ask who is the favorite to win this year’s Masters.  Only retirement will make Tiger Woods anything less than the odds-maker’s pick.  The fact he’s having a stellar year even further solidifies his grip on the “favorite” spot.  That isn’t to say others don’t have a chance.  One look at Phil Mickelson is all it will take to see he’s been preparing for the Masters, and, of course, the year, physically.  In addition to his newfound fitness, he’s successfully worked on his game and should prove to be the second favorite.  Vijay Singh, K.J. Choi, Ernie Els and a handful of others have multiple top-10 finishes heading to the Masters.  This year, the Masters Tournament will be held April 10th through 13th.
TPC Sawgrass awaits the world’s best players May 8th through 11th for the “Fifth Major,” The Player’s Championship.  Aside from the PGA Championship, the Player’s boasts the deepest, most talented field and one of the toughest venues in the world.  Long hitters don’t have much of an advantage at the Players.  Sawgrass calls for precision in every facet of the game; off the tee, to the green and on the green.  Defending champion Phil Mickelson should again be the favorite, as his game is in top form this year.  Tiger has won at TPC Sawgrass, but it isn’t one of his better courses or tournaments.  The island green 17th always makes the tournament for one player, and dashes the hopes of many a contender.  It’s always fun, and gut-wrenching, watch.

Although the U.S. Open is still months away, the second major is on the minds of every player.  Tiger, Phil, Vijay, K.J, and Ernie are certainly among the top favorites, but other players like their chances.  Stewart Cink has endured a couple of tough losses, but his play is undeniably great.  Luke Donald and defending Open Championship winner, Padraig Harrington, are among the leaders in scoring average.  As the U.S. Open always demands accuracy and distance off the tee, players like Kenny Perry, Boo Weekley and Sergio Garcia, who are among the leaders in total driving (the combination of distance and driving accuracy) should have a chance.  As the tournament nears, the favorites will distinguish themselves. 

The Fedex Cup is into it’s second season and, unlike last year, there hasn’t been a lot of complaining about the format, points system, playoffs or anything else.  At least from the fans’ perspective, it has added another level of anticipation and excitement to the game and it hasn’t taken any of the allure from the Majors or other tournaments.  As a refresher, in the Fedex Cup, players earn points based upon their finish in 36 sanctioned tournaments. The top-144 players advance to a four-event playoff, with significant numbers of players being eliminated from contention after each event. Last year’s inaugural Fedex Cup Champion was, of course, Tiger Woods.  The Fedex Cup culminates with the Tour Championship at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club in August.

In golf equipment news, at the annual PGA Merchandise Show held in January, adjustable clubs were the big news.  This year, USGA Rules have been altered to allow for interchangeable shafts in clubs.  Although the particulars of the new rules are still a matter of debate, according to the USGA, the move was made to make the game more enjoyable for the amateur golfer.  In short, as more and more companies produce such models, changing shafts will be as easy as twisting a locking mechanism on your driver, sticking in a new shaft, and locking it in.  Clubmaker Alpha Golf was one of the first to enter the interchangeable arena with their C-830 driver, but larger companies like PING, Callaway, and Nike have also embraced the idea.  It’s still up in the air whether consumers will like this latest big idea.

The success of last fall’s OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup brought to light the expansion of golf into Asia that has been taking place for several years.  As China modernizes it’s economy and eases investment restrictions, the golf industry is successfully taking advantage of the limitless potential there.  Renowned course architect names such as Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Nicklaus, Palmer, and Norman have built courses in China, Thailand, and other locations within India.  The expansion of golf into these areas is indicative of the present health of the game of golf and the bright future it has in store.