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The Open

What I learned from The Open

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Topics: Articles

by Cameron

So Greg Norman couldn’t quite hang on. I think his effort was more than commendable and he should be proud of what he has done. Norman made the Tigerless Open something worth talking about.

He didn’t seem to have the same spark on the last day. A nervous and tentative start didn’t help the cause. Despite that he was still in the lead with nine holes to go. For some reason he couldn’t strike his irons with any authority. Just when he could have put some heat on Harrington he played poor approaches to 10, 12 and 13. The commentators suggested he chose the wrong club a couple of times – I think he completely miss hit them rather than choosing a bad club.

Full marks should go to Harrington who played a superb back nine. He snuffed out any remote chance of losing with that 5 wood approach into the 17th. Wayne Grady called it “the shot of The Open”, there might have been better shots played this week but none more important. His two shots into 18 weren’t bad either!

A special mention should also go to Ian Poulter. He put himself into contention with a gritty performance on Sunday. He would be ruing his three-putt par on 17. Two putts there and a par on 18 would have seen him finish on 6 over. This would have made things interesting. But it wasn’t to be. For the second time this weekend he took three-putts when he needed two. Such is life. Let’s hope that we see more of him. Definitely a character who doesn’t lack any confidence.

In the end it wasn’t meant to be for Norman. There’s a fine line between winning and losing and once again Norman was on the wrong side. Not sure if there’s much to say other than bad luck.

I found this week’s event fascinating and compulsive viewing. Here’s my take on this year’s Open;

  • Remarkable things can happen when you least expect them
  • We don’t lose talent and skill if we don’t practise
  • You’re never too old to achieve something special
  • Extreme conditions require special shot making skills
  • Links golf is more exciting that “normal” golf
  • Shooting over par still makes for a good tournament
  • A golf course doesn’t have to be super long to be challenging
  • Australians are still the best at golf television coverage. Pity we don’t have any tournaments anymore!
  • Golf still goes on without Tiger but we sure do miss him
  • Luck will always play a part in deciding a winner

Let me know if you have any thoughts…

P.S. In what was a poor golf day for the Aussies, Nick Flanagan and Gavin Coles couldn’t fire on the US PGA after leading going into the final round.

Can he do it?

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Topics: Articles,Uncategorized

by Cameron

I’ve just finished playing this afternoon – I didn’t have the best game but it was a lot of fun. I always think that the worst day of golf beats the best day of working:)

Today I was joined by a new junior member who really impressed me. He has a distinctive swing, not orthodox, but it definitely got the job done. This little guy played without any fuss and was able to repeat his swing time after time. He shot 4 over, which is a good score on a difficult golf course and a course he isn’t that familiar with.

I hope he doesn’t change his swing. I’m sure there will be pressure to do so as he gets older – but I hope he resists the urge. I’m positive that he can become a super player with what he has – I’d hate to see his natural style compromised and be forced to look more conventional.

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The main topic of conversation today was Greg Norman. He currently has a two shot lead at The Open. There is only about six hours before he hits off in the final round, and I’ve been asked about 100 times if he can win.

Each time I said, “Of course he can!”

Greg Norman has been my hero since the first time I saw him play in 1988. I was so impressed by his charisma and style of play that I gave up a promising soccer career to play golf. There has always been something special about him and it doesn’t surprise me that he is doing so well.

I think all of the near misses, bad luck and poor finishes of previous major losses will hold him in good shape later today. He has nothing to lose and I’m sure he is in a better head space then he has ever been before going into the last round of a major.

The big key is for him to keep swinging and playing aggresively. I really hope he goes for it, keeps taking driver on most holes and doesn’t opt for a safe game plan.

If he can get over the line it will be one of the greatest wins of all time. I’m a little biased, but I can’t think of anything in recent times that would match that achievement. Can you?

I’m astounded that Channel 7′s lead news story tonight was the world record by Grant Hackett in the 800 metre short course Olympic trial. A great effort, but surely Norman’s effort so far is a bigger story? Maybe I’m missing something or just biased?

Anyway, I can hardly wait and I’m off to bed to get some sleep before it gets underway.