Two years ago, I had some pretty harsh things to say about the U.S. performance in the Ryder Cup. After accusing the U.S. side of not preparing sufficiently, I went on: “It’s time for these guys to take this seriously and play. They all say it’s major championship pressure, and it should be – you’re playing representing your country on a huge international stage. But they don’t prepare like a major. They just flat out don’t. As a golf fan, I expect better in two years. A lot better.”
This year, they gave it to us. Kenny Perry played like Jack Nicklaus, holing every pressure putt he looked at. Boo Weekly looked like the second coming of Byron Nelson, if only for a few holes at a time. Only Phil Mickelson caved under pressure as usual. The rest of the team performed superbly.
Two thumbs up to Captain Paul Azinger who motivated, coached, cajoled and kidded his way to a win. As importantly, he had a plan for the course set-up, executed to perfection, that played to his team’s strengths: Fairways that even J.B. Holmes couldn’t miss. Pin placements that were birdie friendly. And fans that were primed for the home side.
One final question must be asked: Was the U.S. team better without Tiger? It seemed so. They played as a group. In the usually-fatal foursomes, they dusted the Euros. And in fourball, the U.S. team members looked as though they actually got along.
All in all, an amazing performance, and one I hope we see repeated on European soil in two years.
The R&A, which runs the Open Championship just completed this weekend at Royal Birkdale, has a long tradition of inviting former Open champions to return and play in the event, even if they are not at the top of their game. It’s because of these generous exemptions that Greg Norman and Sandy Lyle made it into the field this week.
Greg Norman, enjoying an extended honeymoon with new bride Chris Everett, is making the most of his exemption. Going into the final day’s play, Norman held a two shot lead over defending Champion Padraig Harrington. Over the tournament’s four days where the weather has emerged the victor, and players much younger than Norman have been utterly defeated, Norman has been a sight to behold. Even when the weather and the golf course have conspired to throw obstacles in Norman’s path, his determination and experience have overcome them. And his accomplishment is made even more extraordinary by the fact that the Australian plays very little competitive golf anymore.
Norman didn’t play well enough on the final day to win, but nevertheless, he has made the most the of his opportunity and comported himself with the honor befitting one of the game’s all-time greats.
Then there’s Sandy Lyle.
Lyle, a Scotsman, won the Open Championship in 1985 at Royal St. George’s. Three years later, he donned the Green Jacket after a win at Augusta. He is three years younger than Norman, but like Norman he’s no longer a fixture on tour, and seems content to turn up for a few events each year. Still, because of his age and record, there has been talk that his fellow players would consider him for the Ryder captaincy.
Lyle had the same opportunity as Norman. Granted a past champion’s exemption by the R&A, Lyle teed it up Thursday morning with a chance to win the Open.
Unlike Norman, Lyle quit.
Halfway through Thursday’s round, battling the same slashing wind and rain that Norman was enduring, Lyle walked off the course and withdrew from the championship.
The British press has justifiably condemned him, as have many golf fans, and most interestingly, so has the R&A’s Peter Dawson. Though Lyle says he is going to apologize, the damage has already been done.
It’s rare that golf hands us so clear a contrast. Norman and Lyle are both champions. But champions are supposed to be made of sterner stuff. Norman’s championship character has shown through this week. Lyle’s character has served only to call his past accomplishments into question.
One final thought: Congratulations to Padraig Harrington, who deserved to win. He played magnificently and, by winning back to back open championships, placed himself firmly in the company of immortals.
Two important caveats: First, this assumes that golfers walk — not ride in carts / buggies. So, a note to my American friends: get walking. (And, by the way, if you walk, you’ll actually finish your round faster than if you ride.)
Second, this does not take into account stress, heart attacks, stroke or other conditions brought on by missing four foot putts or shanking crucial approach shots into greenside lakes. After taking this into account, the researchers discovered that golf actually took twelve years off the average player’s lifespan.
Oh well.
Padraig Harrington takes the Gold Medal and the designation “Champion Golfer of the Year” at the Open Championship in Carnoustie, Scotland. Rory McIlroy, the 17 year old Irish amateur, takes the Silver Medal for Low Amateur. It’s hard to imagine a better day, ever, for Irish golf. There’s only been one other Open Champion from Ireland, and that was generations ago in 1947. I suspect that tonight, there are more than a few pints of Guiness being raised in pubs across Ireland and around the world to the great champion, Harrington, and the young amateur who holds so much promise.