Watching the final round of the British Open has to be one of lifes true pleasures in life, and this years Open was a humdinger. The contours bumps, and swallows of a links course are a marvel to the eye, mixing art and architecture in a seaside setting.
Numerous golfers had their chances.
Andres Romero was the big surprise emerging from the pack with the lead, and no fewer than 10 birdies in the bag in just 13 holes. Is that a record? Unfortunately he painfully surrendered the lead as fast as he had attained it finishing double bogey, bogey to miss the play off by just one. What a story that might have been.
Stricker was close but faded, as was Els, neither really striding out like a winners does. Richard Green had the strut and swagger of a winner firing a course record 64 in finishing in a deserved tie for 4th place. Not bad for a leftie. The best since Sir Bob.
Garcia as much as I admire his demeanour lost his courage in the final round, squandering a 3 stroke lead, and bogeying the last to go into a playoff. Padraig didn’t fair much better doing his best to lose by making double on the last. Indeed Ernie was the only player in the top 5 to par the final hole.
No wonder Padraig couldn’t believe he had won. He had lost it only an hour before, and was probably still on planet zoid wondering what was happening.
In the end two players tried thir best to lose it, and Sergio won. Alot of sports commentators are asking if Sergio will ever recover from the loss. Will he ever win a major?
One thing is for sure he will probably never carry a 3 stroke lead into the final round of a major again, and that maybe a blessing. It is far easier to come from the pack to win than lead into the final round, with all the expectations of victory riding on your shoulders. Ask Nick Faldo.
Lastly for our beloved Michael Campbell. Firing a scrappy 68, made up of just 27 putts in the opening round, and soon therafter goading the media by saying “you didn’t expect to see me here did you”, and “I am playing so well I thought I would be leading after the first round”. Well if he had hit 15 greens and make 32 putts maybe he could feel a little confident, but 11 of 18 greens hit in regulation, and 8 of 15 fairways hit is certainly no reason.
I guess since he’s won a major he’s entitled to prance about a bit. But in the following rounds of 78,72,and 77 Michael showed what sort of player he really is. Brilliant at times, and mediocre most. It’s difficult being a fan of Michael Campbell. I wish he could be more consistent.
