It’s kind of a good news, bad news situation. The good news is that I didn’t find any big revelations. The bad news is that I didn’t find any big revelations. Sometimes when a golfer seems to slump you can point to some specific things going on.
It might be a major change to his golf swing. Or they might have changed golf coaches. A divorce or off the course troubles of another kind. Just hit the end of their prime, etc. I couldn’t find anything in particular with Ernie. He’s only about to turn 40 in October, but that shouldn’t spell the end of his competitive career on the PGA tour.
Here is what his stats say:
63 career wins including 3 majors
7 wins during the years 2005-2008
19 wins during the years 2001-2004
So far in 2008, 8 cuts out of 12 events entered. 1 win, 3 top 10′s and 4 top 25′s
In 2007, 15 cuts out of 16 events, 0 wins, but 5 top 10′s and 10 top 25′s.
What do these trends mean? Well, I don’t know but I sure hate to see it. With his nickname, The Big Easy, it wasn’t only about that great, smooth tempo. But to me it was also about an easy going, likable golfer who happened to be a great pro making lots of money. I never had a sense that he thought he was bigger or better than anyone else.
Maybe he had me fooled, but I don’t think so. I think that Ernie is the real deal. And he appears to be making changes to try and recapture his old form. So far this year, he has made the following changes:
Fired his swing coach, David Ledbetter
Fired sports psychologist Bob Rotell
Maybe most significantly, brought back his long time caddie, Ricci Roberts. Roberts carried his bag for all three of Els Major championships and 55 of his 63 victories.
I’ don’t know what has happened with Ernie, but I wish him the best of luck. Let’s hope that there is a little gas left in the golf gas tank!