My favorite golfer in the world at this minute is Padraig Harrington.  He’s the 134th ranked professional golfer in the world behind Tiger Woods and 132 other guys of lesser renown.  He’s my current favorite golfer by a lot, but I admit that I’d never heard of him before today.

The reason I’m so currently fond of Mr. Harrington is that he’s the one player in a position to challenge Tiger Woods for the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational being held this weekend.  Today he’s leading the indomitable Tiger Woods (and a bunch of other guys of lesser renown, too) by 3 shots.  By tomorrow he’ll be a footnote, the guy who lost when Tiger made an unreasonable 30 foot putt or a sensational drive to the green on a par 5.

I root against Tiger every weekend.  Every Sunday I pick the poor scrub who is playing the best golf of his life going into the final round with a real shot to beat the champ.  I watch the poor sap play way above his level, only to be dashed against the rock that is Tiger Woods.

Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t dislike Tiger Woods.  Not one bit.  All indications are that he’s a swell guy.  He’s got a gagillion dollars.  He’s married to some Swiss super-hottie.  He’s got it all.  And he keeps getting it.  Week after week, year after year.  He’s a golfing machine.

I root against him because he’s Goliath.  A well-mannered, likable, charming Goliath, but Goliath all the same.  Every week there’s a new David, plucked from obscurity to face the mighty one.  By Sunday afternoon, David is reduced to a the guy in the background, holding his head in his hands on the 18th green as Tiger celebrates another victory.

So here’s to you, Padraig Harrington, the leader going into the final round of the Bridgestone Invitational.  Congratulations on going 10 under par through the first three rounds.  I’m proud of you for going toe to toe with Goliath later today.  Sorry in advance that it didn’t work out.

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