Well, it has been a little while since I last connected here. It feels like forever and I think that it's actually been around two months. But in the golf world there really hasn't been anything to write over the last two months. Not like there wasn't a U.S. Open, a U.S. Women's Open and The Open Championship to talk about. But I digress. So where does one begin their coverage of recent events? I suppose the beginning would be a logical choice.
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| Photo Courtesy of PGA.com |
So going back to June, the U.S. Open was contested at the beautiful venue Oakmont Country Club located just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylavania in the town that boasts the same name.. The U.S. Open was so much unlike the 2015 edition that was played at the unfair Chambers Bay. Honestly, last year was a true battle of attrition as we watched the field navigate a dried out, almost farce-like golf course. This inevitably as history now knows with American Dustin Johnson three putt the final hole giving Jordan Spieth the victory (I know.. he earned it). Admittedly, I have never really warmed up to DJ in the past and I don't know the exact reason why. Maybe it's his past transgressions but whom am I to judge? We're not perfect are we? As I say that I also felt awful for him going back to 2010 and the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. The unintentional "grounding" of the club cost him his first Major. The uncertainty of "is it a bunker or isn't it a bunker?" is a question that really lingers. But then he was so close last year and then that nauseating three putt that cost him that "Major" opportunity. But 2016 was much different. Oakmont offered a different kind of course and much different conditions. Yes the rough was punishing if you missed the fairway but the course was green and lush with receptive greens. This time the U.S. Open would be his but not without a little controversy. It's almost like it follows him. Early in the Final Round (as we know) there was some question about a ball that moved on the green. It was clearly evident that DJ had not addressed the ball when his ball had moved. The USGA Rules Official stated that hadn't as the round progressed. But then someone in a trailer brought up some video and the USGA stepped in later assessing DJ a one stroke penalty. It was a poor judgement call and golfers too to social media to display their angst. Thankfully, he would play well to finish up his round and claim the victory penalty or not. Video...
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| Photo Courtesy of cinncinati.com |
For as long as man and woman has played golf it has been referred to as a "Gentlemen's Game" and a "Game of Honour". It's a game where it is mostly officiated by the individuals themselves who are playing. This is what makes the game so endearing to many. I have called penalties on myself and there was one event on the Golfslinger.com Tour that I played in where I was walking to my ball from the cart, became disoriented and mistakenly kicked/tripped over my ball and made it move. It was a situation that I really should not have incurred the penalty but my playing partner insisted.
Anyways, the U.S. Women's Open was played recently in San Martin, California at Corde Valle Golf Club and the USGA pulled another slick move with the help of... video. Sweden's Anna Nordqvist played a fantastic final round (and a terrific first as well) and she would find herself in a 3-Hole Aggregate Playoff with American Brittany Lang. As the two ladies battled it out over the first two holes they would find themselves all square after remarkable scrambling on the second hole. The two of them would hit their tee shots on the third hole and while Lang's shot found the right side of the fairway Nordqvist found herself in the fairway bunker that she had been in earlier in the day (I would have insisted on a 3 wood had I been her caddie). The ball was there, sitting up and clean. It was truly a good lie. She would hit a nice shot and play on. But then a cameraman from a FOX Sports tower brought it to the attention of the USGA. Through the use of amazing HD cameras Nordqvist apparently "grounded" her club. Grounded. I was in awe watching this and as much as I know that rules have to be enforced nobody... not Anna, her caddie, the USGA Rules Official, nor Lang were aware of an infraction. Looking back at it it was in my opinion that it was more like a "fluky clump" of sand that was sitting up and was "dislodged" as she drew her club back. So anyways, play continues and then right as she is ready to hit her next shot a Rules Official comes over and says that there might be a problem right before she swings. This information at this moment clearly would effect both players and the way that they would play the hole. When the HD Camera, sand and play stopped Brittany Lang would be the well-deserved winner. Anna... you were a true champion with the grace and dignity that you handled yourself. USGA... thanks for killing my buzz of enjoying some great golf
One other thing USGA... find yourself a new President because Murphy Brown (Diana Murphy) was a total embarrassment during the trophy presentation. #ItsBrittanyNotBethany I think that the USGA really needs to consider "The Birdman of Olympic" as its next president.
Anyways, the U.S. Women's Open was played recently in San Martin, California at Corde Valle Golf Club and the USGA pulled another slick move with the help of... video. Sweden's Anna Nordqvist played a fantastic final round (and a terrific first as well) and she would find herself in a 3-Hole Aggregate Playoff with American Brittany Lang. As the two ladies battled it out over the first two holes they would find themselves all square after remarkable scrambling on the second hole. The two of them would hit their tee shots on the third hole and while Lang's shot found the right side of the fairway Nordqvist found herself in the fairway bunker that she had been in earlier in the day (I would have insisted on a 3 wood had I been her caddie). The ball was there, sitting up and clean. It was truly a good lie. She would hit a nice shot and play on. But then a cameraman from a FOX Sports tower brought it to the attention of the USGA. Through the use of amazing HD cameras Nordqvist apparently "grounded" her club. Grounded. I was in awe watching this and as much as I know that rules have to be enforced nobody... not Anna, her caddie, the USGA Rules Official, nor Lang were aware of an infraction. Looking back at it it was in my opinion that it was more like a "fluky clump" of sand that was sitting up and was "dislodged" as she drew her club back. So anyways, play continues and then right as she is ready to hit her next shot a Rules Official comes over and says that there might be a problem right before she swings. This information at this moment clearly would effect both players and the way that they would play the hole. When the HD Camera, sand and play stopped Brittany Lang would be the well-deserved winner. Anna... you were a true champion with the grace and dignity that you handled yourself. USGA... thanks for killing my buzz of enjoying some great golf
| Photo Courtesy of chronicle.augusta.com |
For the love of all things right in the world. Society, viewers and avid golfers please stop with the "do-gooder" telephone calls, tape review and so on. Let the player's do things the way that they are supposed to. Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, and the game got long well without you.
So, that was some weekend from Royal Troon eh?! As I sit here reflecting and writing I just shake my head. First there was the first round turned in by Phil Mickelson that would set the tone for the weekend. Then there's the Swede Henrik Stenson who through the weekend kept himself right there with Phil and who would take the lead after the third round. Really, it became very clear on Saturday that this Open Championship would be about two questions. The first of course is who would win and the other was who would finish third? Third? Why even mention third? Well that's because Phil and Henrik ran away from the field. It was totally clear this was a "two horse race". This tournament was living prof that life is unfair. When you finish a tournament... a Major with a total of -17 you almost expect to win. Especially when you go out and fire a cool 65 on the final day of said tournament. But some people are just icy and that's what Henrik Stenson was... icy. Honestly, a 63? Really Henrik.. a 63? That is insanity and that final round 63 tied him Johhny Miller for the lowest round ever to win a Major Championship. Too bad it wasn't a 62 because that would shut up the nattering Johnny Miller who drones on about it during telecasts. Not only did it tie that record but it also eclipsed Tiger Woods and his impressive -20 in 2000. Congratulations Henrik and could this be the first of many after 40?
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| Photo Courtesy of The Guardian |
Stay tuned for my next article which will be real soon. One word.... Rio.
Until the Next Tee.
