Of the player-cum-designers in the business, it strikes me that Michael Clayton has an opportunity to be the Next Gentle Ben. In his mid-forties, Clayton is unlikely to pound balls on the range to get his game back in tip-top tournament shape, although obligations will make it necessary to "keep up appearances" selectively. And thus, the time element required by anyone to reach Ben's lofty standard is available to Clayts. Clayton has always looked happiest when solving a dogleg dilemma, rather than "stiffing" a four-iron. To date, an impressive portfolio has been amassed, including renovations/restorations at places like Portsea, Rosanna, Cranbourne, Victoria, to name a few, and the all-world job at Peninsula North. Clayton's solo design at Ranfurlie is well worth a game. Via the agency of a Doak-Clayton partnership Down Under, Clayton's firm has been involved with St. Andrews Beach and Barnbougle Dunes. Another reason (always understated) to factor in, is the back up support. Clayton's team - Bruce Grant, John Sloan and Michael Cocking are real craftsmen. One sense that Clayton's opportunities overseas will increase, and it will be absorbing to see how he intergrates lessons learned from 30 years on the Melbourne Sandbelt to his O/S designs. In one critical area Clayton is ahead: some preach adherance to the notion that short interesting par-fours are the way to go, and then don't build them. Clayton actually incorporates them.
Mickelson, Garcia and Co are kidding themselves and hoodwinking the public if they think they can pull off a similar stunt at such tender ages. Kiss majors goodbye: perhaps they already have? Once golf architecture gets in your blood, I fail to see how a regular and hard practicing tour player can switch from "Game Face On" to the discipline required to look beyond the next birdie and eagle. Perhaps Davis Love 111 has some special talent in this regard?