HALL MONITORING
Congratulations to Vijay Singh, but didn't it seem odd that he was elected to the Hall of Fame last week? Candidates must have a minimum of 10 wins or at least two victories among the four majors and the Players Championships, 10 years on the Tour and be 40 or older in the ballot year. (Sorry, Tiger, you'll have to wait until 2015.) With 26 wins in the U.S., including three major championships, and 22 other victories worldwide, Singh certainly meets all the criteria, but there's still something counterintuitive about enshrining a 42-year-old who's ranked No. 2 in the world and playing the best golf of his life. Golfers don't generally retire--ever--but shouldn't the Hall wait until a player looks as if he's done with his major accomplishments before casting him in bronze? In order, here are the eight guys who, I think, should have gotten in before Singh, based on their age and playing ability. --Gary Van Sickle
NAME
LANNY WADKINS b. 1949
CRED
21 wins, 1 major, U.S. Amateur, 8 Ryder Cups
BUZZ
A second major would've helped, but he has more wins than a number of recent inductees
VERDICT
Should be a slam dunk but, unbelievably, hasn't come close
NAME
LARRY NELSON b. 1947
CRED
10 wins, 3 majors, 3 Ryder Cups
BUZZ
Deserving, but he's a dull guy who's been overlooked before--for the Ryder Cup captaincy
VERDICT
On 55% of ballots this year (10% short of automatic induction), which gives hope for '06
NAME
CURTIS STRANGE b. 1955
CRED
17 wins, 2 majors, 3 money titles
BUZZ
Best player in the game in the late '80s
VERDICT
Surprising support (50%) in debut tally; looks as if he'll get in
NAME
HUBERT GREEN b. 1946
CRED
19 wins, 1 major, 3 Ryder Cups
BUZZ
Terrific competitor whose career is equal to Kite's and Crenshaw's but whose arrogance didn't win friends
VERDICT
Further proof that voters apparently know little about golf B.T.-- Before Tiger
NAME
Tony Lema 1934--1966
CRED
11 wins, 1 major
BUZZ
Like Payne Stewart, Lema was just reaching his prime (32) when he died in a plane crash
VERDICT
He won as many times as Stewart, who's in the Hall, in 10 fewer years
NAME
Henry Picard 1907--1997
CRED
26 wins, 2 majors
BUZZ
A respected gentleman who was overshadowed by the likes of Jones, Hagen, Sarazen, Snead and Demaret
VERDICT
He has the numbers, but no one seems to care
NAME
Doug Ford b. 1922
CRED
19 wins, 2 majors, 4 Ryder Cups
BUZZ
Gruff, but one of the 1950s' finest before arnold palmer overshadowed everyone
VERDICT
He took care of business on the course, but he has no momentum in the polls
NAME
Craig Wood 1901--1968
CRED
21 wins, 2 majors, 3 Ryder Cups
BUZZ
One of game's early power players, he didn't win his majors until age 39
VERDICT
It's hard to believe this contemporary of Jones and Sarazen has been overlooked
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GARY BOGDON
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WILLIAM B. PLOWMAN/AP
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GARY BOGDON
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