What I'll Remember About 2013: Tears, joy, laughter and everything in between

Rose takes U.S. Open trophy to New York City

Following his U.S. Open win Justin Rose spent the day in New York City making rounds to media outlets.

PGATOUR.COM asked its staffers and writers what they will remember about the 2013 season. For the archived list of essays and a complete review of the season,

I remember … Billy Horschel trying to show off to Tiger Woods by jumping on top of a cooler at Bay Hill, only to provide a good laugh when he wiped out in front of Woods and everyone else on the range. 

I remember … seeing Steve Williams give a nod to Adam Scott as if to say “it’s not over” as Angel Cabrera, playing in the group behind Scott, prepared to stuff his approach shot to 2 feet in a steady rain on the final hole of regulation at the Masters.

I remember … playing 36 holes -- 18 at Palmetto Golf Club and 18 at Belfair Country Club -- the day after the Masters with a colleague and friend and finishing in the dark with both of us bogeying the final hole to halve the back 9 (he won the rest of the match).

I remember … fighting back tears Sunday of THE PLAYERS Championship as I watched the 15-year anniversary piece on NBC about Len Mattiace and his ailing mother, seven months after losing my own mom to cancer.

I remember … Phil Mickelson using the word heartbreak to describe another U.S. Open runner-up, this one more painful than any of the previous five.

I remember … watching Justin Rose point skyward in memory of his late father after winning the U.S. Open, and wishing my dad, who passed away 10 years ago this past September, was around to see it. 

I remember … walking around the streets of New York City with Rose, trophy in his hand, and one passer-by asking, “What’d that guy win?”

I remember … the Travelers Championship surprising the media with 20 boxes of Pepe’s, the best pizza on the planet.

Phil Mickelson shot a final-round 66.

I remember … Mickelson calling his final-round 66 to win The Open the most memorable of his career, and everyone else agreeing.

I remember … Jason Dufner telling me he had to change his phone number three times in the month since winning the PGA Championship.

I remember … Brandt Snedeker recalling instantly how when he was 9 years old Helen Alfredsson blew off his autograph request and how he never forgot that moment when he turned pro.

I remember … Jonas Blixt wearing playing partner Rickie Fowler’s orange pants and orange shirt at The Barclays. Literally.

I remember … Henrik Stenson’s wife telling me that her FedExCup champion husband is such a jokester that he once donned a ski mask and dressed like a robber before jumping onto Carl Pettersson’s hotel balcony from the room next door.

I remember … Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel showing up on the driving range at The Presidents Cup wearing wigs and looking like the band Spinal Tap only to see the International Team get beat again.

I remember … Mother Nature striking again … and again … and again.

I remember … Rory McIlroy looking dazed and confused a lot this season but still showing flashes of the brilliance that’s still deep inside him.

I remember … Woods winning five times, returning to No. 1 in the world, being named Player of the Year and being involved in three rules snafus along the way.