News Update:
Tiger is back! With yet another win at the Masters, Woods silenced his doubters. Mind you, anyone who makes 142 consecutive cuts can hardly be said to be struggling for form. At the US Open, it was Woods again who always seemed to be the man to beat. Ernie was never in it and Phil faded after the first two rounds. Singh appeared to be a threat but the tournament seemed his for the taking for two-time winner Retief Goosen.
You have to feel sorry for anyone failing to break 80 in the final round of a major when victory is in sight, but also you cannot but admire the dignified way in which Goosen accepted the golfing fates. Sneaking up on the rails, of course, was New Zealander Michael Campbell. His talent has never been in doubt, only his ability to sustain a challenge over four rounds when the heat is on. And, with Tiger breathing fire down your neck, you would certainly have felt some pressure had you been in Campbell’s position. He never wavered though, and thoroughly deserved his win.
Announcers always provide interesting statistics during Majors. One that caught our eye at Pinehurst was the number of top five finishes, in the majors, by the leading pros. With 55 top five finishes, Nicklaus has more than twice as many as anyone else. People remember how many times he won; they sometimes forget just how many times he was in contention!
Another interesting observation at Pinehurst was just how many holes were clearly influenced by Donald Ross’s upbringing at Dornoch. The 15th, for example, is a short hole of around 200 yards played to a green tilted towards the tee, protected on either side by deep bunkers and falling away steeply to both sides and the rear. Just like the 2nd at Royal Dornoch. At least at Pinehurst, the great man was kind enough to let you get well into the round before confronting you with such a severe challenge.
The Open returned to St Andrews this year and record crowds basked in warm, sunny weather. Opening with a 66, Tiger led from start to finish, and though both Montgomerie and Olazabal got within one shot, by the turn on the final day there was an air of inevitability about the outcome. In the end, Woods’ five shot margin of victory was a fair reflection of his superiority over the field.
It was an emotional occasion for Jack Nicklaus, cheered to an echo on every tee, fairway and green as he waved farewell to competitive golf. Appropriately paired with Tom Watson, the great man signed off with a round of level par. Commentators, spectators and other players were choking with emotion; Watson himself could not stem the tears and yet Jack did what he always does. He composed himself, focused and ripped a drive just short of the Valley of Sin. With spectators packing the stands, and onlookers craning their necks from every balcony and window, he then ran a lovely approach putt up on to the green to 12 feet from the pin. As his wife and family looked down from the Royal & Ancient balcony, he then summoned one last effort of concentration and holed the putt for birdie.
Magnanimous in victory, gracious in defeat, dignified in retirement – the greatest legacy Nicklaus leaves behind is his example of sportsmanship and etiquette on and off the course. He has been an inspiration for two generations of players, not just on the circuit but throughout the game; and fitting tributes were paid by every golfer interviewed during the tournament, not least by Tiger Woods who clearly strives to emulate Nicklaus as a player and as a man.
With the Walker Cup coming soon, two young Scottish Amateurs signaled bright futures with strong finishes in The Open. Lloyd Saltman took the Silver Medal with a 5 under par total of 283. Just one shot behind was Eric Ramsay, who closed with a fine 68 to match his opening round
Royal Aberdeen was the venue for the Seniors’ British Open – Greg Norman making his Seniors’ debut. The course looked a picture, with Donald Steel’s revisions to the greens and back nine receiving universal approval. The course played very tough, as the cut at 14 over par amply demonstrated. Tom Watson’s round of 64 was titanic given the conditions, and his play-off triumph over Des Smyth of Ireland meant his final round charge would not be in vain. When playing the links the following week, our caddies told us that, even in the heat of battle, Tom still found time to chat with the crowds and to thank them for finding his ball in the tigerish rough! There’s little wonder why he is such a popular champion.
Breaking with the Turnberry tradition, this year’s Links Cup visits Gleneagles for the first time, with James Braid’s Kings and Queens courses providing scenic and challenging golf for all participants. We look forward to meeting old and new friends.