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BGonline.org Forums
...for 71 1/2 holes
Posted By: Chuck Bower In Response To: Keeping emotions in check (Chuck Bower)
Date: Monday, 20 July 2009, at 1:34 a.m.
If it's the journey instead of the destination, then Watson did himself proud. He kept us on the edge of our seats for four days. He got everything but the trophy, and consistent with his love of the game (but obviously not intentionally) lost to a first time winner. In fact of the players contending after the first few holes only Goosen (besides Watson) had ever won a major. Tom has eight major titles. Time will tell if Cink's first had more meaning than Watson's elusive ninth. Thanks, Tom. We share the pain, but in my case the pain was worth it to experience the thrills, and dream the dreams.
Ironically it was Watson's strengths that let him down as much as his weakness. On that fateful short iron from the fairway on 18, who but someone with Watson's knowledge should have known to take TWO clubs less than normal. And I do believe emotion scratched and clawed its way into Watson's head -- the fear of having to make a short putt to win. So he didn't just slip his approach onto the green but (as it turned out) juiced it by. And the fear continued on the chip and the putt.
ABC sports (especially their golf coverage) has been poor for a couple decades. They still pander to two of the worst (no, not just two of but actually the worst) attitude golf commentators in my memory (and I've been watching for 40 years): Peter Allis and Curtis Strange. But they have improved a lot even at that. Judy Rankin is A+, Paul Azinger is a fine addition, and Mike Turico is as good as CBS's Jim Nantz across the board (not just golf) and that says a lot in my book. Another strong commentator, Andy North's close friendship with Watson (they are regular partners and winners in the annual Legends of Golf pair event) was bonus coverage. He said Watson would sink the putt on 18, trying to will Tom into it, but alas... Azinger said before the putt that Watson's caddy should walk up, put his arm around Tom, and tell him "you've made this putt a thousand times before. It's just one more." If North could have talked to him (not allowed, though), that might have made a difference. On Friday when Watson was in a tailspin (having made four bogeys on the front nine), playing partner Sergio Garcia said to him on the 9th tee "OK, old man, let's get it going!". If only one of them could have had Tom's ear before that putt on the 18th.
Greatest golf achievement by anyone over the age of 50 ever. It was almost the greatest sports achievement by anyone over the age of 50 ever. And then the clock struck midnight....
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