Ewen Murray reflects on Rocco's revival and Matteo's magic ahead next week's Shanghai showdown.
It's been an amazing few weeks in the world of golf.
The Ryder Cup is back home for two years and we can now lay that event to rest until Medinah, by Chicago in 2012.
Before we have a chat about Matteo Manessero's record breaking feat in Castillon last week, what about the goings on Stateside?
First of all, Rocco Mediate's win in the Frys.com was outstanding to say the least. I can't remember in my lifetime four full shots being holed by the same player during the course of 72 holes.
Now, whether the years are going in all too quickly, I'm not sure. It may be the news over the last two years have been all too depressing, but as I get older, golf has provided more passion and interest than it did in my formative years.
Here is a genuine good guy, at the age of 47, given another chance to chase the glory he has done since the mid eighties.
Rocco is a person you would enjoy immensely. He lived by the second hole of the TPC course at Sawgrass. His back trouble has at times been chronic and in an effort to improve that has moved south to Naples where the climate is kinder.
Having lost that epic US Open play-off to Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines in La Jolla in 2008, his form has been in decline, so much so that he was playing for his card at the Frys.
A handsome lead at the start of the final round evaporated over the first 12 holes and pictures of him on TV showed a beaten man ready to accept his fate. But no, at the 17th he popped his second in the hole and 15 minutes later holed a five footer to win for the first time in years.
Just another victory? Not really.
You see, Rocco being 47 faced a trip to the qualifying school. Had he failed there, his regular career was all but over. His win gave him a two-year exemption which takes him up to the end of 2012.
He turns 50 on December 17, the week after that season finishes and in January of 2013 he can join the Champions Tour. He will join that competitive, so his win gave him at least another five years, maybe more.
His comment at the presentation was typical Mediate: "They gave me my job back" Sometimes it really does happen to the nice guys.
Moment
On the European Tour front, I had a Victor Meldrew moment when I saw Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie and Reteif Goosen playing in Malaysia for a first prize of $198,000 on the same the week the Portugal Masters boasted a top prize of $675,000.
Why they were allowed a release to play there I don't know when gold sponsors in Portugal presented one of our best events.
I calmed down a little when I heard the news of Padraig's win. I'm genuinely pleased for the Irishman and it was a win that took him back into the world's top 20.
Many of you disagreed with me when I said Padraig's schedule for the year was a little strange, but watching him over the years, he plays better when he has a run of tournaments, then a week off rather than a stop start schedule.
Malaysia was his fourth consecutive event after the Vivendi, Ryder Cup and Dunhill Links. I don't think he will make the same mistake next year.
You no doubt would have seen Monty had a serious car accident in Scotland and I'm happy to report he is fine if not still a little shaken.
I still think of his contribution in Wales from time to time. He was a brilliant captain, an inspiration to his team.
History
While the veterans dominated the headlines in America, Matteo Manessero re-wrote the history books in Spain. At just 17 years and 188 days, the Italian became the youngest winner on Tour and is the ninth player to win under the age of 20.
I hesitate to predict the future for "Manny" but I would say he is a very impressive young man. Too often in the past, we have put too much pressure too early on young players and they have struggled to live up to expectations.
Technically he is excellent and his experienced coach, former tour player Alberto Benaghi will no doubt lead him down the right road in the future.
His father, Roberto, also impressed me. His words at the end of his emphatic four shot victory in Castillon were simple: "I'm happy my son is doing what he wants to do".
I thought of Michelle Wie's parents, who in my opinion have pushed the girl too hard in her early years. That has happened in other sports, especially tennis and quite simply, it is too big a burden for ones so young.
Matteo will not be at Valderamma this week as he requires a visa to enter China where the HSBC Champions event is being played next week. There he will rub shoulders with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods and the other winners from across the globe.
What a wonderful time in his young life, travelling the world doing what he loves and what he is extremely good at. We will all watch his career with interest.
No Longer
Tiger will arrive in Shanghai no longer world number one. His run of 281 consecutive weeks at the top of the rankings will be ended by either, Lee Westwood or brilliant young German, Martin Kaymer.
While Lee sits back and watches due to his calf injury, the top spot is in the hands of Kaymer. A win in Spain will get the job done. With four wins already, including the USPGA Championship, I would not be surprised if he managed it.
With the year the tour has enjoyed, having one of or own at the summit of golf would be rather satisfying.
I suspect Tiger will say he is not that bothered, but the truth is he will be. His pride will have taken a dent and knowing him, he will do everything he can to reclaim what he has enjoyed for over five years.
He has been working on his game at home with new coach, Sean Foley and it will be interesting to view the changes next week at the She Shan course. My guess is that you will see a player nearer to the one he was before his world fell apart.
I leave these shores on Monday and whereas I'm not looking forward to the long flight over the North Pole, or indeed the three hours it takes to travel the 30 miles from Pudong to She Shan, I look forward to great golf in a country that has embraced the game in a very short space of time.
When we first went to China, there were a handful of fans, next week we will have thousands watching and as each year passes, their knowledge of the game improves enormously.
Finally, my thanks to Simon Rourke and Jason Bowers for their kind comments. You both mentioned our team at
Sky and they are good, not only that, they are friends. The real talent is the production team who we are fortunate to have alongside us.
So off we go on the Road to Shanghai. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby would like to be with us to see Tiger, Phil, and Matteo.
