Cink Wins British Open

I’ve spent a good part of the weekend watching the British Open, or The Open, as they call it over there. In the end, like a good novel or movie, there was a surprise ending. Stewart Cink challenged Tom Watson. Cink won in a playoff less than an hour ago.

Course Design

Based on other British Open tournaments that I’ve watched, I think they have a philosophy over there that demands golf courses that appear virtually unplayable, especially those in Scotland. If you’re a golfer and have never seen Robin Williams’s routine on golf, find it on You Tube. It’s a hoot.

The courses in Scotland are just plain insane. They appear to be rocky cliffs, gullies, and bunkers that would look at home on a war battlefield. On a golf course, they remind me of abandoned water wells with sheer rock walls and a bit of sand at the bottom. Some of them are so steep, they should have ladders available for gaining access to them.

Watson’s Charge

Tom Watson seemed to have the championship sewed up, but golf has a way of tricking you. Tom played a solid game. From the time he took the lead, I wish I had a sawbuck for every time some commentator told us he was 59 years old. I could goof off the rest of this year rather than write.

Why is it so unheard of that someone Watson’s age could win a tournament? Now, after he lost, the questions all focus on “how tired he must have been.” I think Tom lost because of a couple of bad decisions about club selection.

Cink Sinks It

Stewart Cink played a solid game. He was mildly agressive when he needed to be, and he was careful when he needed to be that. One thing about golf. The better player always wins. This was his first major win. Congratulations, Stewart, on your win.

Tom, congratulations on your inspirational play and on being a gentleman to the end.

Speaking Of Gentlemen

ESPN televised a tribute to Tom Watson just before the Claret Jug was awarded. In this, they praised Tom for being a gentleman, but they slammed Tiger Woods at the same time, showing him slam his club to the ground after a disappointing shot. I’ve seen just about every golfer at one time or another do this. So why did ESPN single out Tiger as a picture of ungentlemanly conduct?

Cheap Shot

The people who write these segments should realize that you can praise someone without slamming another. In fact, the praise would be more worthy and well remembered if it were without prejudice. Adding a cheap shot at someone else just calls attention away from the cheap shot, and that cheapens the value of the segment.

Takeaway Truth

Like Arnold Palmer said: “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening, and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”

Tags: british_open, claret_jug, stewart_cink, tom_watson, turnberry