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The Open

Frayed Knot Jul 22 2007 08:32 PM

That's what the British call their Golf Championship, as if which Open you're talking about isn't even in question. They do the same with Wimbledon, referring to it as; The Championships. Well, that's alright. They were there first in both cases and if they want to hold onto the illusion that the planet still revolves around them it's not going to bother me. Anyway ... it's a fun watch most years and the morning (our time) tee times are great. Plus, it's worth tuning into if only to listen to the sing-song Scottish accent of the dude (same guy every year - even if it's not in Scotland - who announces each golfer at the 1st tee. Well, Spaniard Sergio Garcia helped cement his reputation for falling apart on Sundays during majors, especially with his putter. Starting with a 3-shot lead, he missed 6 or 7 makeable putts over the final round but still looked like he he was going to hang on when Padraig Harrington dunked his ball in the stream on the 18th hole TWICE. But Harrington made a tricky putt and only lost one shot on the deal where he could have dropped 2 or 3 because ... Sergio missed a 6-footer which would have won the tourney and so the two went into a 4-hole playoff which Harrington eventually won by one stroke. Meanwhile, a little-known Argentinian came out of nowhere to sink 9 birdies in his final round to briefly take the lead before falling apart in the final 3 holes. So congrats to the Irish contingent here for their countryman's victory ... even after it looked like he had blown it.

metirish Jul 22 2007 08:45 PM

I was on the edge of my seat,really I thought Padraig had blown it on 18 but as you said he made that tricky putt to save a bad situation from getting worse. It was fun to watch,I imagine this one will hurt for Garcia for a long time. Plus Rory McIlroy from Hollywood County Down won the silver medal as best amateur,a great day for Ireland.They say this kid is the real deal,the best talent to come out of these parts in years.

Frayed Knot Jul 22 2007 08:56 PM

I like that Rory McIlroy's name is so close to that of Roy McEvoy, which was the name of Kevin Coster's character in the golfing movie 'Tin Cup'

Edgy DC Jul 22 2007 09:05 PM

I like how irish still thinks he's in Ireland. Let's not detract from Harrington. McIlroy would be fortunate to have a career as good as Padraig's.

metirish Jul 22 2007 09:12 PM

Of course he would.Padraig had to withdraw form the Open two years ago to bury his dad,nice that he own today. Also even though Padraig nearly fell apart on 18 given the chance at redemption he didn't make the same mistake.Plus even with the 18 hole Padraig shot a 67 Sunday.

duan Jul 23 2007 11:22 AM

the only nicer bloke it could have happened to was Paul McGinley! Seriously though, long overdue for Padraig and he really is as nice and down to earth a fella you could find. Friend of mine does a good bit of work with him and she'd have nothing but nice things to say about him.

Edgy DC Jul 23 2007 11:36 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 23 2007 12:48 PM

By the way, how many times has Sergio come close on a major and come up short? Seems to me he's been top three in every one, and led on Sunday in a few.

Centerfield Jul 23 2007 12:45 PM

Sergio has that belly putter that makes you look like an idiot. Prior to Sunday he had been putting much better and these collapses were supposed to be a thing of the past. I know they all look easy on TV, but he missed some really makeable putts.

Willets Point Jul 23 2007 12:50 PM Re: The Open

Frayed Knot wrote: That's what the British call their Golf Championship, as if which Open you're talking about isn't even in question. They do the same with Wimbledon, referring to it as; The Championships. Well, that's alright. They were there first in both cases and if they want to hold onto the illusion that the planet still revolves around them it's not going to bother me. And we come from a country where the professional baseball championship is called the World Series. "Impressive in a world event, that America always wins." - Eddie Izzard

Frayed Knot Jul 23 2007 01:34 PM

Edgy DC wrote: By the way, how many times has Sergio come close on a major and come up short? Seems to me he's been top three in every one, and led on Sunday in a few. I think this made 5 or 6 'Top 5' finishes in majors for Sergio - starting with the one where, as a 21 y/o, he almost caught Tiger in the PGA - and several of which he either started Sunday with the lead or held it at one point during the day. That first near-miss probably hurt him more than it helped because it threw him into everyone's 'should win' list earlier than he probably deserved. By this point though he's truly earned that unofficial title of 'Best Golfer Never to Win a Major'