I figured these last couple of days I have been focusing on Tom Watson and not the winner of the British Open, Stewart Cink. Even though he is overshadowed by his colleague, Cink is still one of the finest golfers on the tour and deserves to be recognized as such. Cink seems like a regular guy to me. He often comments on his twitter about things regular guys do, like their own laundry when on extended road trips, and eating pizza. I feel like I’d get along great with Stewart, as he seems to be down-to-earth and someone who would generally take an interest in what you had to say. Playing a round with Stewart, as with any professional golfer, would be awesome and would probably help to lower my score a lot.
All golfers have their own unique style and carry clubs that complement their own game. I like to use a 7-wood, something that many people do not use, yet I find it comes in handy more than a five wood or a long iron. Stewart carries some unusual clubs as well, as he uses a 52 degree wedge and different style irons for his 2,3 and 4. But I will let him explain that to you. In honor of his victory at Turnberry this weekend, here’s Stewart Cink explaining what types of clubs he uses and why he chooses them.
With Tom Watson’s near victory at the British Open, many people are wondering if he has it left in him to make a run at next year’s Open at St. Andrews. However the R&A (or the governing body of golf, equivalent to the USGA in the United States) instituted an age limitation on the British Open restricting players to younger than 60. Next year Watson will be 60 and would not qualify for the Open under these restrictions, despite almost winning the tournament this year. This creates a huge controversy for the R&A. Should the age restriction be abolished because men around that age still have a chance of winning the British Open? Or was this a fluke that occurred this year and may never happen again?
The real answer lies in the style of the tournament. The US Open, The Masters, and the PGA Championship are three majors with no restrictions on age. As long as you meet one of the many qualifying stages, you are eligible to play in the tournament. Many people disagree with this rule, as older golfers who qualify having won the tournament in the past, use it to play one round just to gauge how they might play, then drop out. Although this may be unfair to some younger golfers who have not yet had this chance, it allows golf to continue with its rich and history filled traditions of honoring legends of bygone eras. These courses, like Augusta National and other perennial stops along the USGA and PGA’s list of courses, are generally regarded as some of the toughest (and longest) courses in the nation. Thus this provides quite the challenge for many of the older golfers on tour.
The British Open differs majorly (no pun intended). Courses like St. Andrews, Muirfield, and Turnberry are traditional links courses. Links style courses are known for shorter distances, but howling winds and tall grass that make it difficult to take the driver and grip-it-and-rip-it. Playing a conservative game is often beneficial, making it easier for older golfers to compete at a high level. This is a good reason why Tom Watson played so well, besides being one of the greatest links golfers to ever play. By allowing older golfers to compete in the Open Championship would allow a better field that would be able to play just as competitively as many of the other golfers. By restricting age, the R&A are robbing the fans of great play from former legends, and should definitely take a look at restructuring their age format. Let Tom Watson (and this picture from a couple of years ago) be the posterboy for this campaign.
The clock struck midnight. Golf balls turned back into mice, caddies returned to pumpkins. The Cinderella story was over for Tom Watson. In what should have been the final chapter in a long and accomplished career, ended in disappointment and probably a very sore back. Fifty-nine year old Watson looked to make the improbable happen, having a chance to win the British Open at Turnberry on 18. All he needed was to sink an eight foot putt, but he was unable to make it happen. After that it was all downhill. Stewart Cink, who should be congratulated for his wonderful play, was applauded politely, but everyone on that course was rooting for Old Tom. The playoff that ensued was slaughter. In the four hole playoff, Cink beat Watson by six strokes to cruise to victory. What could have been one of the greatest stories in golf history just barely missed the mark.
No doubt people will be commenting on the quality of winners of the last few major tournaments. Many people complained about Lucas Glover winning the US Open because it would not be remembered in twenty years. How about the British? Although Stewark Cink is nowhere near the nobody that Glover was, it was definitely a disappointment for many golf fans. Personally I am not upset that Watson didn’t win, however I can definitely see the argument that many golf historians may have. Had TW won, this would no doubt be top 5 British Open moments ever. Now, it’ll go down as another score in the record books, a close but no cigar. As the old saying goes, close only counts with horseshoes and hand-grenades, not second place finishes.
In what could be the most shocking story of the year, Tiger Woods missed the cut at the British Open for only the second time in his career and the first time in nearly three years. When Tiger hit the low point of the tournament, he was on 10, lost his ball in the tall grass and then into a bunker (man, have I been there). It has just been a couple of bad days for Tiger, but at least it does prove to the world that he is only human.
In more cheerful news, Tom Watson has regained control of the lead with an even par 70 as he is a co-leader along with Steve Marino, who is playing in his first Open Championship. Watson now puts himself in contention to win the Open and be the oldest person to do so…by 11 years! Watson is currently 59 years old and the record for a major championship is 48 years old (Julius Boros at the 1968 PGA Championship). What a dramatic way to highlight an end of a great career. Hopefully Watson can finish what he started, unlike Greg Norman last year. However, I do have much more faith in Watson as Norman is a notorious head-case when it comes to winning it all. Not far behind Watson is Mark Calcavecchia, who is four under for the championship. Calcavecchia is 49 years old and would take the record if he wins as well.
For all the old golfers out there, this is your week! Enjoy.
I woke up this morning and much to my surprise a familiar name was on the top of the leaderboard at the British Open. No it wasn’t Tiger. Or Phil. Or even the comeback kid David Duval. It was Tom Watson. Yes, this is the same Tom Watson that won the famous “Duel in the Sun” against Jack Nicklaus some thirty two years ago, at this very course! Call it a home court advantage, call it a crafty veteran knowing the course. Maybe it’s just a British Open things, as everyone remembers Greg Norman’s great play last year. Who knows? What I do know is that Tom Watson turned in an incredible 65 with no bogeys and looked as good as ever.
Unfortunately, Watson was not atop the leaderboard after the end of day one as Miguel Angel Jimenez shot a 64 to take one stroke on Watson (and also Ben Curtis and Kenichi Kuboya). Notable score include Tiger’s disappointing 71 and Padraig Harrington’s 69, to leave the defending champ one under par. It was a rough day for Tiger even though it was a relatively calm day, which is rare out in Scotland. This leaves Tiger seven shots off the lead. A tough goal to accomplish, but not impossible.
My personal favorite story of the Open was the play of oft-troubled golfer John Daly. Daly has recently decided to swear off his old lifestyle and try to make a comeback at the sport which he has so much natural talent for, most of which he wasted. Today he shot a 68 and left himself in contention to make a run at the championship. I say good for you John! He looked trim and dapper (colorful pants have become a common wardrobe choice for Daly as of late) and his play reflects his new choices. As I had previously looked forward to a Harrington/Woods duel, I now look forward to a Watson/Daly or as history will remember it Watson’s “Duel with the Sun.”
