The committee which reduced Carnoustie's Open Champion-ship to a farce in 1999 got it exactly right this year, so that we were able to witness the most enthralling Open since the Nicklaus -Watson duel at Turnberry. What is clear, is that Carnoustie can test the world's best without introducing trickery, even in the benign conditions saved for the leaders on the final afternoon. And what a final afternoon!
Even non-golfers were caught up in the electric atmosphere, as the lead changed hands from one hole to the next. As Tiger's challenge failed to materialise, attention focused on the Europeans, as Padraig Harrington closed in on the popular Spaniard Sergio García, who suddenly looked frail. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, there appeared a would-be party pooper, the young Argentinian Andres Romero, who collected no fewer than 10 birdies in his final round. Unfortunatey, he also collected two double bogeys as well, but still managed third place on his own.
But the main drama was being saved for the last few holes, as Harrington's eagle on the 14th helped him to overhaul García, so that he stood on the 18th. tee needing "only" a par four to win. Padraig then produced his worst tee-shot of the day, finding the Barry Burn not once, but twice and only managed a double-bogey 6 by getting down in two from some sixty metres to post his final score of 7 under. García now needed "only" a par four to win the Championship, but for the umpteenth time, his putt lipped the hole. More drama was to come as the two embarked on a four hole play-off. Padraig struck first, with a birdie on the first hole to García's bogey and should have sewn up the Championship at the 248 yard par three 16th (the second play-off hole) when his brilliant tee shot finished only 5 feet from the hole, but he missed the putt. Even though he enjoyed a 2 shot lead playing the 18th, one sensed that it wasn't yet all over. As Padraig deliberately laid up to make certain of scoring no worse than a bogey, Sergio went for broke with a driver off the tee and a 6 iron to within 15 feet of the hole. Once again, his putt failed to find the cup and the popular Irishman had bagged his first major. Sergio will surely come again and I predict the beginning of a run of European Major victories. It was notable that the first five place were filled by European Tour players, Richard Green and Ernie Els sharing fourth on 5 under. Harrington won the Crown, but the other winner was the magnificent Carnoustie course - links golf at it's very best. |
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