For all those who criticize golf and insist it’s NOT a real sport, what have you been watching for the past forty + years? Ever since I was ten years old and watched Arnold Palmer win the 1964 Masters, I’ve been glued to the TV every year, four times a year during the majors: Masters, US Open, British Open and PGA Championship.
This year’s final round of the 136th British Open (or more officially known as the Open Golf Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links), won by Padraig Harrington in a playoff vs Sergio Garcia, was yet another nail biting finish that did not disappoint. Isn’t it amazing how even after 72 holes of 300 + yard drives, 250 yard iron shots during regulation play and another four playoff holes, that once again the final outcome came down to a short putt?
Think back to the last time a big time sporting event actually came through with the drama and heart-pounding suspense it was hyped up to be. From my own experiences, the majority of Super Bowls I’ve watched over the years have been mainly disappointing blowouts. The worst hyped events were the big boxing matches. When Ali was at the end of his boxing career I remember getting psyched up a few weeks prior to each fight, only to watch endless rounds of boring clenching and holding. I love baseball and hockey, which is my favorite action packed spectator sport, but when your team is out of it (like my NY Rangers), it’s on to the next season. The other problem that occurs with most other sports is when referees, umpires, judges, etc make judgmental calls that negatively influence the outcome and ruin the game. The recent betting scandal with Tim Donaghy the basketball referee, only accentuates the beauty of golf’s “self policing” style of rule enforcement.
Watching a great golf tournament on a great golf course like the one's they play the majors on is always a treat, even if I’m not rooting for a specific player. This week, I must admit I was rooting for Sergio to break through and erase the demons that haunt those winners who haven’t won a major. Funny thing, Padraig Harrington was in that category himself (for a lot longer) until he shot a final round 67 vs Garcia’s 73 on Sunday, then won the playoff one stroke up. All I can say is, who cares what anyone else thinks. GOLF IS GREAT THEATRE!
Here’s a few questions to leave you with. Your answers and comments are important and welcome, which I plan to post on each blog to make it more interactive and interesting for all:
1. For Sergio, was OPEN week a dream or his worst nightmare?
2. What business related relationship do the winners of the last two British Opens at Carnoustie have in common?
July 25, 2007
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