US PGA Championship / Romilly Evans / 09 August 2011 /

After Darren Clarke's Open win, Romilly Evans ponders whether the PGA might be rebranded the Pensioners' Golf Awards

The hit US TV show Thirtysomething struck a chord with audiences the world over for its humorous and bittersweet take on the baby-boomer generation. To my knowledge, no studio has yet to commission its follow-up series, Fortysomething. Perhaps that's because the 40s are the age of the midlife crisis, naval-gazing, Just For Men, and trying to get up from a low-chair without groaning. Not exactly dramatic gold.

It's a similar story in world of golf at the moment. All anyone wants to talk about is Generation Next. And they haven't just had one Pepsi Max too many. The form figures bear it out, too. Prior to Darren Clarke's recent Open triumph, the previous five majors had been won by a player with an average age of 26. And what's more these up-and-comers were often followed home by their fellow tyros. A sea change had arrived, with some bright young things making waves while their forerunners struggled to come up for air.

This pattern has even continued in recent Tour events. Last week's WGC proving an eloquent case in point, where Adam Scott (a veritable veteran at 31) was chased home by Rickie Fowler (22), Luke Donald (33), Ryo Ishikawa (19) and Jason Day (23). It was as if the golfing youth was sticking two fingers up to the senior citizens and reminding them their war was over.

But fathers don't like being mocked for trying to recapture their glory days. And Clarke struck a timely blow for the fortysomething movement at Royal St George's. There's every reason to suppose this flashback to former glories could inspire his peers into suppressing the adolescent uprising.

After all, no dad likes being told where to get off by his son. So let's have a look at those most likely to don some shades, buy a convertible and flirt with your girlfriend.

Phil Mickelson, full-time father of three and part-time World No.6, is the pick in the betting at [28.0] to back. Lefty chased home Clarkey at Sandwich and should go close around a course where he finished second in 2001. Pay no heed to two recent no-shows. This old timer only gets out of bed for the majors these days and is primed to perform, having mastered his sawn-off driver. So says Phil anyway. And at least we know that a man once nicknamed FIGJAM (Flip I'm Good Just Ask Me) will have few confidence issues.

Defying his 44 years and one spot ahead of Mickelson in the world rankings is Steve Stricker (trading at [28.0] to back). The original Mr Nice Guy is still seeking a breakthrough major, but he's won at every other level and recorded his best finish in a major when runner-up to Vijay Singh at the '98 PGA.

This year he's proved the model of consistency (11th at Augusta, 19th at the U.S. Open and 12th at The Open) and has made every cut, with five top-tens in 13 starts. Furthermore, as the only sportsman to have won Comeback Player of the Year twice, Strick knows a thing or two about recapturing the good old days.

Robert Allenby has just passed through the 40 barrier and he isn't breaking for anyone, especially kids. Another who has done all bar win at golf's top table, the affable Aussie is in many ways the antithesis of Stricker: a pure ball-striker who fails to capitalise on the greens. That isn't usually a winning combo, although Allenby's putting stats have improved of late and he is just the sort of under-the-radar contender who could surprise (available at [170.0] to back) around a course that rewards precision iron-play. He has three top-tens on Tour this term and shouldn't be discounted.

Also look out for Davis Love ([200.0] to back) and Ernie Els ([240.0] to back).

Love is still among the best ball-strikers in the game, despite being the grandfather of this bunch at 47. He even proved as much at this year's US Open where he was the top performer tee-to-green. This track will again embrace those strengths and the Ryder Cup captain could yet make himself a wildcard candidate.

Els' monstrous price is indicative of some aggressively average results in the current campaign. Personal issues off the course (his son's autism) have clearly affected his efforts on it. However, Big Ernie has changed his schedule, relocated his home and is finally feeling fresh after a family holiday. At the comparatively tender age of 41, I would be shocked if he didn't have more to offer.

In golf, numbers mean everything. Except when it comes to age. The wonders of modern medicine and technological advances in equipment have prolonged a player's life-span to rival that of the crown-green bowler. Long story short, old dogs can learn new tricks. And even though everyone's writing about the new wave, you should never write off the old guard. They just don't look as pretty on TV.

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