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This year marks a major milestone for the Tour Championship: the 25th anniversary of Happy Gilmore's storied victory. That's right, it has already been 25 years since one of the greatest performances of our generation, er -- since the fictional character from Adam Sandler's 1996 cult classic "Happy Gilmore" won the season-ending Tour Championship. For those in need of a refresher, Gilmore overcame a 4-stroke deficit on the back nine to defeat his greatest rival, Shooter McGavin. The win cemented Gilmore's meteoric rise from a failed hockey player with a powerful slapshot -- something that translated surprisingly well into his unorthodox yet effective putting style -- to a bona fide star. It was a uniquely special moment for Gilmore, whose journey to the gold jacket was marred with controversy (he once engaged in a public fistfight with beloved TV presenter Bob Barker during a celebrity pro-am tournament), as he was playing in honor of his mentor -- the late, great Chubbs Peterson. On Wednesday, to recognize the 25-year milestone of Gilmore's achievement, fellow Tour Championship winner Rory McIlroy presented a commemorative inscription at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. McIlroy also delivered a heartfelt tribute to Gilmore (Sandler? Trying not to break character here). The enigmatic retired golfer was quick to reply with a warm message of his own. Pro tip, Rory: Just say no to the ninth green at nine.
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