Brian Gay May Be the White Tiger Woods

For years, people having been wondering when someone would step up and take on Tiger Woods for world domination of golf.  Since Tiger Woods is the only African-American (at least according to the Census Bureau) on the PGA Tour, the fans and media have been staring at a bunch of white guys to find the challenger.  Sure, for a little while it was David Duval, then Phil Mickelson, then Ernie Els, and then four white guys known as the Big Five, then Big Three, and I don't even think there is anyone officially labeled as such now.

Could that be a major trophy in his hands one day?

Enter Brian Gay.  Maybe.  Gay won the St. Jude Classic going away on Sunday for a wire-to-wire win, his second this season on Tour.  It got him into the US Open at Bethpage.

In April, he won the Verizon Heritage after the Masters by ten shots.  Gay won the St. Jude Classic by half that margin, but destroyed the tournament scoring record at TPC Southwind in Memphis.

Gay is 36 and wearsSligo Wear clothing.  No one will mistake Brian Gay for Tiger Woods.  Still, when Gay has a 54 hole lead this season, he is as money as the world number one player.  He's two for two.  In fact, when Gay has a 54 hole lead, he actually expands on it in the final round.  No "holding on" for one of the best putters on Tour.  He proverbially steps on the throat of the field and demolishes all in his path.

Hell, his final round playing partners Bryce Molder and Robert Allenby were soundly beaten by Gay by four and three shots, respectively.  That is Tiger Woods-esque intimidation at work there.

On the treacherous par 4 9th hole that measure over 470 yards to a pin tucked just over water, Gay didn't take the safe play.  He blitzed a five iron to pin high and made birdie.  A couple of holes later on the par 11th over more water, Gay went right at the hole and stuck it to 9 inches.  Another birdie.  And just for good measure, Gay birdied the last hole - one of the toughest on the PGA Tour.

Sure, Brian Gay has never won an event in which Tiger Woods has played.  Not even close.  But when Tiger is away, Brian Gay is the man.  And he dresses pretty nicely too.