What more could you ask for? This year, we’ve had 3 engrossing major tournaments. Yesterday’s final round of the British Open was golf at its best. Phil Mickelson made a mini-run, but may have made a tactical mistake in playing it safe (but who could blame him after he’s suffered so much grief for not playing it safe). Ernie Els made a major run, almost birdieing the last 3 holes. His par on the 14th from off the middle of the gourse tree was one of the most incredible pars ever! (Ironically, Dave Pelz had a clip the night before on the Golf Channel, showing how to hit that shot.)
And then there’s 38 year-old Todd Hamilton, a journeyman with much game who beat Ernie Els in a playoff. Todd calls his style of play “ugly golf.” But there was nothing ugly about his play on Sunday. It may be time for everyone to buy a utility rescue club, as Todd Hamilton showed it’s a really good chipper (which I thought was illegal at one point).
The Open also had another memorable feature: Nick Faldo’s commentary. That guy is hilarious. And he was right about the playoff, contrary to Ian Baker Finch’s strong sentiments: Ernie did not have a “huge advantage.” If anything, I thought Ernie had much more pressure on him as the favorite. Todd Hamilton had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Faldo was right. ABC should hire that guy.
1. Holes with great nicknames like the Postage Stamp.
2. It is a bad thing — as it should be — to have your ball go into a bunker.
3. No waiting all day for the leaders to tee off: wake up, turn on the TV, action.
4. Cheeky announcers with great accents to go along with great comments.
The British Open has quite a guady leaderboard going into Sunday’s final round, and I hope it stays tight throughout the day. I hope the four players who can make a legit argument as the world’s number 1 right now — Els, Goosen, Mickelson and Woods — all battle to the wire. Indeed, since the British Open has the coolest playoff format, I am rooting for a four-way tie after 18 holes in order to see this group playing together in an all-star mega-playoff foursome.
TweetCraig Stadler is defending his B.C. Open title and is four back, at -8, with Jonathan Byrd in the lead at -12. Baby walrus, Kevin Stadler, is beating his dad, at -9. Well, if you haven’t voted in our latest poll (see below), maybe now is the time!
Tweet