2K08. Is it another Y2K?

Of course it’s not, but you wouldn’t necessarily know it if you follow the wonderful world of pro sports like I do. BUT, already during the early days of 2008 (2K08) I’ve noticed too many similarities to ignore. A chosen few are described in this article.

The original subject matter entered my mind after watching Tiger Woods begin his 2008 golf season, at the PGA Tour’s Buick Classic from Torrey Pines. It was the ease in which he won going away, that quickly reminded me of how much it could be Duja Vu, repeating his Y2K success, all over again. Not good news for the rest of the men’s tour. It might just be another year when finishing second is something they need to get used to, again. In his never ending quest to break every record in the book, Tiger tied Arnold Palmer in fourth place on the PGA TOUR all-time wins list with this, his 62nd victory.

The early predictions by the experts are calling for Tiger to win the Grand Slam of golf in 2008. For all those golf purists, technically the Grand Slam means winning all four majors in the same season, like only Bobby Jones has ever done. In Y2K Tiger dominated the world of men’s golf by winning The Masters at Augusta, US Open at Pebble Beach and British Open at St. Andrews. He also held the PGA Championship from the previous year, to have all four at the same time (now referred to as the Tiger Slam).  Oh by the way, his domination that season included winning both Opens, by over ten shots each. AND who could ever forget the 213 yard 6 iron from the fairway bunker over water, for par to win the Canadian Open of Y2K?

Will the coincidences continue at the 2008 Accenture Match Play Tournament? In Y2K Tiger took a multi-tournament winning streak into the match play event before losing to Darren Clark in the finals.  This year’s opening round is currently being played as I type and watch in magnificent HD on the Golf Channel. Tiger goes into it with a multi-tournament winning streak, as he plays JB Holmes. After hitting his opening tee shot dead right and out of bounds, Tiger was two down after seven holes and currently three down after thirteen. Steve Scott learned the hard way at the US Amateur in the mid 1990’s, that until you close Tiger out, it ain’t over. Back then, Scott lead Tiger by six before eventually falling victim in defeat. So, if 2K08 is a repeat of Y2K in golf, someone other than him will be crowned this year’s Accenture Match Play Champion.

Turning to football, unless you’ve left the planet for the last month, you’ve either seen and/or heard of the stunning upset by the NY Giants over the New England Patriots as they won Super Bowl XVII. The similarity is that in both 2K08 and Y2K, the Giants made it to the Super Bowl by surprising everyone and beating all the favorites in both years. The difference is, as any Baltimore Raven fan will remind you, in Y2K they pummeled the Giants to win the Super Bowl. As a reminder to us all of how quickly the years are passing bye, that was eight short years ago. The comparison in 2K08 is that the Giants did what the Ravens came within one minute of doing; defeating the previously unbeaten New England Patriots.

For this last comparison, do you remember who the #2 ranked women’s golfer was in Y2K? On second thought, instead of revealing why I see a comparison coming, which should make for an exciting battle for #1 on the LPGA Tour in 2K08, I’m offering a special FREE gift (until Feb 29) of the Pro Edition eBook (a priceless value,) to anyone who knows the player I’m thinking of. I’ll provide the answer and conclusion in my next newsletter. Keep those cards and letters coming and stay tuned.

Oh, by the way, Tiger won the next four holes to beat JB Holmes one up.