12/18/24
July 18, 2009
Tom Watson continues to lead the field at the British Open.: Tom Watson looked around at the amazing scene Saturday, his eyes tearing up a bit as all the Scottish fans surrounding the 18th green toasted one of golf's greatest champions. Man, I wish I was there!
As a longtime fan of his, I hope he sleeps well tonite, and hope his putting stroke on the 3-4 footers doesn't betray him, as it has many times in the latter part of his career. His ball striking (particularly in windy conditions) is still awesome, and I imagine he is hoping for blustery weather tomorrow. Go get 'em, Tom!
posted by mjkredliner at 01:08 AM on July 19, 2009
As a longtime fan of his, I hope he sleeps well tonite, and hope his putting stroke on the 3-4 footers doesn't betray him ...
It did on 18.
posted by rcade at 01:30 PM on July 19, 2009
Unfortunately, everything exploded during the playoff, but there is no shame here. Forget making the cut, as many older players just strive for, but after the second round, we had that sense that maybe, just maybe, history was within reach for Tom. At the start of the tournament, Watson was a 1,000-to-1 shot in the betting parlors. We would have thought Tom had as much a chance of making the cut as Tiger missing the cut -- very little chance. Winning the damn thing -- no way! Thank you, Tom!
posted by jjzucal at 02:52 PM on July 19, 2009
Hear hear. Great sport.
Here's the question someone asked me during the final day - if Watson had won, would it have been the greatest sporting achievement ever?
I'm hard pressed to think of anything that even comes close. It's the kind of thing that would happen in a film I'd turn off.
posted by JJ at 06:32 PM on July 19, 2009
truly a remarkable run, and truly a shame he couldn't quite finish it off.
When he missed the putt on 18 to finish the round, I had a bad feeling. He just seemed tired on the playoff. He looked a lot like I do on the last few holes of round, just not very sharp. Of course, I'm focused on breaking 100, not winning the British Open.
posted by dviking at 07:24 PM on July 19, 2009
The guy was focused on winning the tournament in regulation, not going to a playoff. When that didn't happen, I think his focus went bye-bye. I'm sure fatigue was setting in, but his drive on the 72nd hole was perfect, and his approach was a great shot that just rolled too far. His putt for the win was pathetic, but after the 72nd hole, I think he was emotionally shot. It was sad to watch, but he played great for four days, had it in his hands to win, but came up just short. Inspiring golf, though, whatever the result.
posted by dyams at 08:28 PM on July 19, 2009
What a heartbreaker... I really think he will second guess using the putter for his third on the 72nd hole, it appeared that there was quite a bit of grass sticking up behind the ball, and he used to execute those little chips and runs as well as anyone. Really a bad break the approach ran that far...
Congrats to Cink, and thanks Tom, for conducting yourself like a gentleman throughout your career, win or lose.
posted by mjkredliner at 11:07 PM on July 19, 2009
I'm hard pressed to think of anything that even comes close. It's the kind of thing that would happen in a film I'd turn off.
I know it's not golf, but Denmark's win in Euro 92 could easily be described as 'fairy tale'. Called up from their holidays at the last minute to replace Yugoslavia, the best player (Michael Laudrup) refusing to play, the captain's infant daughter dying of leukemia just before the tournament. And they played brilliant, carefree, attacking football to win it. Probably the smallest country ever to win a major trophy.
I've never seen anything like it. But just imagine what it would have felt like if you were Danish.
posted by owlhouse at 12:01 AM on July 20, 2009
Aye, fair enough, but how many of the Dane's had had hip replacements? *L*
posted by JJ at 02:00 AM on July 20, 2009
That's really awesome. Wishing him the best of luck for the final round.