The Sony Open is the first full-field PGA Tour event of the 2013 season. Eager rookies get to make their inaugural starts on tour amid palm trees and sandy beaches.
Two rookies in particular took full advantage of their first attempts at golf stardom. Russell Henley and Scott Langley were at or near the lead for all of the first three rounds of the Sony Open.
Scott Langley, who was tied with Henley for the 54-hole lead, was a two-time All American while at the University of Illinois and was the 2010 NCAA Individual Champion. He tied Henley as the low amateur in the 2010 U.S. Open.
Langley fired an even-par 70 on Sunday and slipped to T-3.
Henley is a graduate of the University of Georgia. Langley may have won the 2010 NCAA title, but Henley won the 2010 Haskins Award as the most outstanding collegiate golfer. He is also one of the very few golfers to ever win a professional event while still an amateur. He won the 2011 Stadion Classic on the Web.com Tour before turning professional.
Since becoming a professional in 2012 he won two more events on the Web.com Tour, the Chiquita Classic and the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open both in September.
He has carried his strong play over to 2013 winning the Sony Open by three shots over Tim Clark.
Clark started the final round three shots behind the leaders, posted a seven-under par 63 but never gained on Henley who fashioned his own final round 63 to get his first win.
Both Henley and Langley play with a maturity and confidence well beyond their age.
Henley and Langley have battled all through their amateur careers and it appears that they will continue to maintain a friendly rivalry on the PGA Tour.
Are golf fans seeing the emergence of two 23-year-old American rookies that can compete with another 23-year-old, Rory McIlroy?
Amateur and collegiate golf in the United States is so strong that it continues to create players that are ready to compete on the big stage immediately.
With the constant addition of this new young talent the PGA Tour just keeps getting better and better.