Pirate Galaxy » orm and play his role, and he has been

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- Long, long ago, in a golf galaxy far, far away, there existed a singular dominant player who presided over his peers with a steely glare and an iron fist, rarely squandering an opportunity to defeat these mortals on the grandest stages.If life in the Tiger Woods era sounded like something out of a fairy tale, then life in the post-Tiger Woods era -- The eclectic era? The parity party? -- feels like a return to normalcy, a chance for the game to play out as the golf gods had first intended.Rather than one player triumphing over the field on a regular basis, the major championships have recently resembled a bakery line, with every elite-level player grabbing that little pink ticket from the machine at the counter, then waiting for his number to be called to pick up a trophy. (Blame Jordan Spieth for double-dipping at the counter last year.)This years first three major champions -- Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson -- own a few notable commonalities. Each ranked among the worlds top 12 at the time of his win, and each claimed his first major title.It all serves as part of a bigger theme entering this weeks PGA Championship. Once a domain for dominance, the majors have become a turnstile for many of the worlds upper-echelon players.For just the fifth time since the inaugural Masters Tournament, there exists a chance that all four majors in a single year will be won by first-time champions. The difference between this year and 1959, 1969, 2003 and 2011, though, is that the 2016 champions list reads like a whos who of major contenders finally breaking through rather than a few surprises slipping through the cracks.Speaking of surprises, its less shocking that Willett, Johnson and Stenson have won than that Spieth, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy havent. Those players combined for seven major titles in the past five years, but now each is vying for the years final opportunity at a tournament that once rightly billed itself as Glorys Last Shot.Do I feel like Im playing five or 10 Tigers out there? No, I feel like that would be disrespectful towards Tiger, McIlroy said this week. But the fields are deeper and so many guys have chances to win tournaments. ... Golf, its in a good place in terms of how many good players we have, and I feel like its hard to separate yourself from the pack a little bit. But thats what were trying to do. Were trying to separate ourselves and trying to win tournaments and trying to be the best that we can, and hopefully that, in turn, is the best in the world.Or as Spieth more succinctly put it: I dont think theres any Tiger out here right now. I think thats fair to say. Only time will tell.Thats not to say the game is any better with a singular dominant player, nor any worse without one. Dominance tends to fuel the intrigue of the masses (see: Era, Tiger), but a brilliant competitive balance certainly doesnt hurt matters.This years first three majors have not only provided new yet deserving champions, they also have delivered excessive drama to the proceedings. Spieth led by five strokes entering the back nine of the Masters and lost by three; Johnson played his final round of the U.S. Open with a looming video review of a rules violation but never faltered; and Stenson simply provided the better half of one of the games greatest duels on a Sunday afternoon stage, outlasting Phil Mickelson at The Open.If there was going to be any backlash against different players winning majors, it was washed away in the drama of each of these tournaments.It just goes to show how stiff the competition has gotten over the years that Ive been out here, explained Day, 28, who won his only major title at last years PGA Championship. And then on top of it, the guys are just younger and stronger and fitter and faster, and they are just long out there. So just the competition is really, really tough right now. If you dont stay one step ahead of the young guys, its easy to get left behind.That serves as not only the overriding theme of golf this year, but also for this era. Whatever it is -- The eclectic era? The parity party? -- a different player taking his pink ticket and stepping up to the bakery counter when his number is called has clearly become the new normal.Bruce Smith Jersey . McPhee said that Ovechkins father Mikhail is in stable condition after having the surgery this week and is no longer in intensive care. "Weve told him to stay as long as necessary with your dad," he said. Ovechkin and his Russian national team were eliminated from the mens hockey tournament in Sochi on Wednesday with a 3-1 quarter-final loss to Finland. Andre Reed Youth Jersey . Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. http://www.authenticbillsfanaticfootball.com/authentic-jim-kelly-bills-jersey/ . Galatasaray said in a statement on its website Monday that Mancini signed a three-year contract and will be paid 3.5 million euros for the upcoming season, with his salary upped to 4. Devin Singletary Bills Jersey . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. Ed Oliver Bills Jersey . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga.Adelaide coach Don Pyke says the equation is simple for veteran midfielder Scott Thompson as he nears the end of his contract.Keep performing, and his spot in the Crows best 22 is safe - even if he has reached an age where nothing is really assured, as several AFL veterans learnt this week.Its always interesting when people talk about Thommo, Pyke said on Thursday.Theres Thommo the midfielder and then theres Thommo the 33-year-old midfielder.People sort of get edgy about the fact hes 33.As long as hes able to perform and play his role, and he has been doing that, then he continues to hold his spot in the team.The sometimes-brutal nature of AFL list management came to the fore this week with North Melbournes decision to dump veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito.Crosstown rivals Port Adelaide meanwhile oppted to cut 31-year-old Jay Schulz despite his desire to continue his career.dddddddddddd.Thompson, who notched his 300th game against Collingwood in round 17, has only missed two games this year and is keen to play on next season.Pyke declined to comment on the clubs negotiations with Thompson but said the durable onballers form had justified his continued inclusion.Weve been in regular contact with Scott regarding his position and those discussions are ongoing, Pyke said.Im not going to go into the detail here in terms of where Scotts at but well address that at the appropriate time.Thompson, an All-Australian in 2012, has averaged 24 disposals, seven tackles and almost six clearances per game this season. 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