Yang Outduels Woods at PGA Championship

That collective gasp heard around the world from millions of golf fans was a response to something they’ve never witnessed in their life.

Tiger Woods losing a major, on the final day, after having the outright lead.  Instead of the usual comparisons to Jack Nicklaus and his record 18 major victories, golf pundits can now sit and discuss whether Woods choked (he didn’t), whether he’s finished (he’s not), and how in the heck did he lose to Y.E. Yang (for that matter, who the heck is Y.E. Yang?).  At this moment, Yang is the winner of the 91st PGA Championship, after shooting the low round of the day to finish 8-under for the tournament, three strokes better than Woods.  Yang’s round of 70 was punctuated by two career-defining shots; the eagle chip on the 14th for the outright lead, and his approach on the closing hole, a beautiful 5-wood from 206 yards that sailed past the outstretched branches of a tree, and came to rest 8-feet from the pin.

Y.E. Yang wins the 91st PGA Championship. (Image: Zuma Press)

While Woods didn’t exactly choke, his round of 75 was due in large part to his wayward putter.  Tiger needed 33 putts on the round, a number he even conceded was too high for his final round.  This loss was reminiscent of Tiger’s 2002 loss at the PGA Championship to 73-ranked Rich Beem, only in 2002 Tiger never led the tournament.  Which makes Yang’s victory an even tougher pill to swallow for Woods.

Yang’s life, on the other hand, is about to change immensely.  Ranked no. 110 in the world, the 37-year-old South Korean will skyrocket in the world rankings after capturing the Wanamaker Trophy.  Fame and celebrity, especially in his home country, are sure to follow.  And hopefully he will enjoy his moment in the sun, because it may be his one and only.  Much like Rich Beem, Ben Curtis and Dexy’s Midnight Runners, there’s a good chance Y.E. Yang is a one hit wonder, a flash in the pan, the plucky South Korean who conquered Tiger Woods, and then faded off into oblivion.