Looking for the Next Big Thing

Manny B. Angeles / Out of bounds

In 1975, at the height of his career, the great Bobby Fischer walked away from chess and became a recluse. In 1993, Michael Jordan, considered the greatest basketball player of all time, left the NBA and tinkered with baseball for a while. He came back to lead the Chicago Bulls to their second three-peat from 1996 to 1998 before retiring anew in 1999.

There may have been other such stories of players quitting their game in their prime but nothing we know has created more impact than these two legends.

Now here comes news that Tiger Woods, considered as a one-man total eclipse in golf for nearly two decades, has also turned his back from the sport he loves, saying he will come back when he is ready to play again. Well, we can’t blame him. He has to sort out his game which lately “has been unacceptable” to borrow from his own words.

When Fischer turned his back on chess after titillating the world with his brilliance and innate genius, not a few thought that he left the game an orphan and that things will never be the same. The same was said when His Airness stepped away from the spotlight to pursue another sport.

But we all know what happened. Although interest dipped a bit after they made their respective exits, it can be very well said that chess and basketball are back with a vengeance.

Today, chess has turned into a veritable playground for the young. The reigning world champion, Magnus Carlsen of Norway is only 24 years old while a slew of contenders much younger than he is including our very own Wesley So, who is only 21, is right on his heels.

Five of the top six finishers in the recently concluded 77th Tata Masters tournament in Wijk An See, The Netherlands, are all below 24. Aside from So, French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Dutch GM Anish Giri and Chinese GM Ding Liren are aged 24, 20 and 22. Italian GM Fabiano Carujana, the world’s second highest rated woodpusher is also 22.

In today’s NBA, there is a coterie of youngsters who have started to dominate the league irrespective of their age. This early, they are pushing the Chris Pauls and Tony Parkers out of their comfort zones. They are all ready to break out as stars or are already at the top of the league rankings. One example is John Wall who believes he is now the best point guard in the NBA. There’s also Derrick Rose, who after his injury is slowly reclaiming his spot among the league superstars. There is also Steph Curry, one of the best shooting guards in the league now. How about Kyrie Irving, reason why Lebron’s Cavs are in a groove right now? Russel Westbrook , Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard of course, can also be considered budding stars in their own rights.

The same is true in golf. While Tiger Woods filled the role that Fisher and Jordan played in their respective sports, it won’t be long before we see young stars filling the void he would leave behind.

And who are the possible heirs apparent?

Of course we could always point to Rory McIlroy who is only 26 but has already won four majors including the last two. He only needs the Masters to complete a career Grand Slam.

After Rory comes the young Americans starting with boy wonder Jordan Speith who is only 21. Spieth challenged Bubba Watson in last year’s Masters. Then there’s Rickie Fowler, 26, who finished in the top five in all four majors. Who could forget Patrick Reed, 24, a Ryder Cupper who is likewise starting to pile up wins, the latest a victory at the Hyundai tournament of Champions?

Like chess and basketball, there is no shortage of future stars in golf. These new breed of future superstars are what we may call the next big things in their respective sports.

But which of these next big things will eventually become THE NEXT BIG THING?

Your guess is as good as mine.