British Open Field

Golf a game right now without the sports icon, Tiger Woods, is allowing others to step up and achieve greatness. Each weekend leaves many questioning who will win the tournament or who will be golfs next best story come Sunday's final round.

Seeing Darren Clarke on his way to his first major championship at 42 years of age, left me as the viewer thinking about how much the game of golf has changed in the last year.

This past weekend, the games nice guy Phil Mickelson came out with a gutsy performance in his final round of play coming up short, finishing his seventh runner-up finish in a major.Darren Clarke held his lead to become the oldest first-time winner since Roberto De Vincenzo in 1967.

Although, Clarke and Mickelson fought for the title on Sunday along with talented american Dustin Johnson.

Clark and Mickelson share a bond which in itself show you why these men appreciate the game as much as they do.

Golf a coping mechanism with many of life hardships, is very much a part of both of these men's life. Clarke's wife died of breast cancer in August 2006, and three years later, Micekelson's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Despite these hardships these men still play the game and continue to be good guys off the course. Clarke when hearing of Mickelson's wife's diagnosis phoned Phil and provided him with some voice of reason in 2009.

Well, on Sunday the favor was returned as Mickelson lost the tie for the lead on the back nine holes. Phil as usual smiled through 18 holes and could tell he was genuinely happy for Darren Clarke who won the open in his 20th try at the title.

Clarke shared with people that Tiger Woods had reached out and offered some advice on how to handle the pressure chasing his first major championship.

Oh give it a rest Tiger, the golf game has been fine without you. From youngster Rory Mcilroy winning the US Open and basically giving you the middle finger, to hungry Darren Clarke at 42 years of age, is just the beginning of what great stories the future can bring.

If there is anything a reader should take from this it is that the good guys finish first in the end. Yes Tiger I am calling you out. Your arrogance and disregard to what fans want to see in a winner has finally caught up to you and now I hope you watch the sport and reflect on how much your life has taken a turn for the worse in the past two years.