Sergio is lean, taut and tan. Paul Goydos is lumpy, loose and likable.
Who did you have your money on as they re-teed in the playoff and took aim at the island green late Sunday afternoon?
Sergio was the winner, but let’s take a minute for a hat tip to Goydos, the former substitute teacher with the self-effacing humor and Long Beach State cap. And though much was said about it by the NBC Golf team, he’s not totally bereft of sponsors. I saw Titleist on the left sleeve, FootJoy on the right and Fairway & Greene on the back of the neck.
For self-deprecating humor, however, the guy was limitless. He had so many one-liners in his Saturday post-round interview with Bob Costas, some resort in the Catskills should step up and make him honorary golf pro. When Costas asked why Goydos favors buttoning the top button on his polo, he said it’s the only way to keep the shirt on since "I don’t have shoulders."
So as human clothes hangers go, Goydos will not soon be confused with Fred Couples or Retief Goosen, golfers from Central Casting with naturally straight posture, square shoulders and strong chins. ThoughGolf Digestslapped Goydos around on the fashion front, he dressed well enough for a guy who doesn’t normally get any TV time and only makes it to the winner’s circle once a decade. The moss-colored mock-neck looked liked something out of Fairway & Greene’s Pureformance (read: polyester) line, and even though there have been fleshier winners on Tour, the loose fit probably is a good choice as it covers a multitude of sins.
Meanwhile, Sergio looks fit as a male underwear model in the Adidas’ zip necks. Setting aside his status as Adidas’ main man, the guy needed this win to get back to center stage and clear some of the baggage that’s floating in his pysche. Many golf fans have expected a lot from Sergio since the 1999 PGA Championship (when he finished second to Tiger), but more than that, he’s heir to the great golf expectations of an entire country, following closely in the Seve-Jose Maria tradition. And while Seve may have had a tad more swashbuckle in his stride, Sergio is every bit as emotive, charismatic and enigmatic as Seve was. Whether he’s slam dunking his putter after saving par on the 72nd hole, or tearing up after the victory, Sergio wears his heart on his Adidas ClimaCool.
While the near misses through the years may have left scars, they appear to have made him more humble and more hungry. His touch of humor — he thanked Tiger for not being there — also befits what appears to be a new found maturity.
Adidas has a lot invested in Sergio. Wearing the three stripes so well through the weekend, and especially Sunday, he was able to pay a dividend. — RL
