Is 2019 to be the year of the (Reds) Tiger again?

ONE of the positive things about the festive season coming to end is that it means that the US Masters at the pristine Augusta National is only 14 Thursdays away.

The year 2019 could a year for the ‘long overdues’ to finish top of the podium.

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The big talking point, other than Tiger Woods of course, will be about Rory McIlroy and whether or not he can finally clinch the Grand Slam. He hasn’t won a major for a while, and a win at Augusta seems long overdue.

Woods hasn’t won a major since 2008, so is also long overdue, his injuries largely to blame for this.

However, if a South African can get his hands on the Green Jacket, it could signal a run of sporting success of some note, and especially so if you are a Liverpool Football Club fan.

The English premier league wraps up in May and long-suffering Liverpool fans, including South African mid-amateur player Derek Scullard, are anxiously hoping the Reds don’t lose their shape in the second half of the season.

But it could be like watching Greg Norman leading a major with nine holes to go …

Tottenham Hotspurs lurk ominously, and Manchester City have rallied after the equivalent of two double-drops over the Christmas season.

In terms of the majors, Brooks Koepka will have a chance to do what even Woods and Jack Nicklaus couldn’t and that’s win three majors in a row, when the US Open is played at Pebble Beach from June 13 to 16.

Interestingly, the US PGA, which is usually in August, has been moved to a May date (with the Players now in March) and the challenge for the Wanamaker Cup will take place at Bethpage State Park from May 16 to 19.

Jordan Spieth will also have a chance to join the Grand Slam club if he can win that one.

Back in England, the cricket World Cup starts at the end of June, and a win there is way, way overdue for the Proteas.

July 14 is the final.

There can’t be anything more stressful in sport than watching South Africa trying to win a knockout game, so maybe a casual nine holes is better for the blood pressure if we make the final.

This does clash with the Wimbledon men’s final – what were they all thinking?

If Kevin Anderson makes it to Sunday, there’ll be a battle for the remote control in many households.

The Open will be at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, fortunately, from July 18 to 21, so no need for a Sunday afternoon of channel-hopping.

If the cricket goes according to plan then the Springboks can make it a rare double by lifting the William Webb Ellis trophy for the third time, in Japan on November 2.

Fortunately this won’t clash with the President’s Cup between the USA and Internationals, which will be played at Royal Melbourne GC in Australia from December 12 to 15.

That’s a little later than is normally the case, but it makes sense in some ways and will give golf fans something to watch if they don’t mind getting up earlier than usual.

The respective captains are Ernie Els and Tiger Woods (who may end up as a player as well), so it’s bound to be festive.

Royal Melbourne has previously hosted the tournament in 1998, at which the International team had their only victory, and 2011. 

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