Capelle On Golf

British Open Coverage
Greg Norman Leaves a Winner
Norman really didn’t have anything to lose this week, his goal merely to enjoy another leg on his extended honeymoon with Chris Evert and to prepare for next week’s Senior British Open. But then his game fell into place, he became the Shark of old, and his opening rounds of 70-70-72 staked him to a two shot lead over Padraig Harrington going into the final round.

Were it not for the loss of his legs on Sunday, an affliction the 53 year old attributed to age, he might have pulled off the Norman’s Miracle at Birkdale. But, alas, Norman came back down to earth, closing with a 77 that threw him back into a tie for third, six back of Harrington. Still, his golf was great theatre and it showed us that there is indeed life at the majors without Woods.

Third place earned Norman an invite to next spring’s Masters and a moving tribute from Harrington, his playing partner, at the ceremonies:

“He was a true gentleman to play golf with today. His sportsmanship on the golf course is second to none. His response to all of my good shots was just tremendous. He’s somebody you can only look up to.”

So maybe, like Rocco Mediate at the US Open, Norman didn’t lose after all. He entertained us with his aggressive approach and overall brilliant play, he took a good many of us back in time to when names like Nicklaus, Faldo, and Price were atop the leaderboard, and he reminded us of the style with which the great champions conducted themselves in the pre fist pump era.

Norman in the Majors
His 30th top 10
His 17th top 4
His first top 10 since 1999

Anthony Kim’s First British Open
One of the season’s big stories has been the meteoric rise of 23 year old Anthony Kim. His tee-to-green game was living up to the hype at his first British Open where, according to the announcers, he led the field in greens in regulation. His problem was putting, a malady which makes you wonder if he’s missing a critical part of the major winning package. Kim was within a shot of the lead at the turn, but missed several short putts and closed with a 40 on the back nine to Harrington’s 32. He eventually lost by nine shots.

The Disappearing Players
ABC (Always Broadcasting Commercials) all but ignored Kim until the end of his round as the producers continued with their practice of over showing some players and under showing others.

K.J. Choi’s Closing Disaster
Choi started the day tied with Harrington at four over par. A win would have given two South Korean born players a win in a men’s and women’s major this year, Yani Tseng having won the LPGA. After playing the first three in one over, Choi took a five hole trip on the bogey train before paring number nine for an outgoing 40, six over. He righted his ship on the back nine, playing the first eight holes in one under. A par on 18 would have earned him a tie for third (his second in a major), but the dreaded snowman caused him to plummet into a tie for 16th.

Quote Book
“It’s always amazing the confidence the spectators have in these players.” Terry Gannon on the narrow corridor offered by the spectators as Norman played from the rough.
“He’s golf’s great victim.” Paul Azinger on Norman.
“I’ve always felt that putting is the measure of your heart.” Azinger
“It’s really mindboggling that he’s (Norman) taking this aggressive approach.” Azinger on Norman’s course management. “He’s a nose to the grindstone kind of player.” Azinger on Harrington
“The toughest putts are the cross wind putts.” Tom Watson
“Here is what that roar was about.” Mike Tirico telegraphs the results of Norman sinking a 30’ putt we haven’t seen. Won’t these guys ever learn not to ruin the suspense?!!
“The warmth and the glow doesn’t leave you for a long long time.” Watson on the feeling a winner has walking up the final hole.

Murphy’s Law and the British Open
Final round coverage of the British Open starts at 5am on the West Coast, so that means I had to get to sleep early and get a good nights sleep or be bleary eyed at the start of play. I slipped into bed at 11pm, figuring that six good hours and a cup of Starbucks would get me though the early morning telecast.

Then one of Murphy’s Laws kicked in: just when you really want a good night’s sleep you won’t get it. Sure enough I got attacked by a mosquito at 12:15am (yes, we have them in California). At 1:00am a neighbor’s car alarm, which take 80 honks to complete its cycle (I’ve counted them) goes off. I get back to sleep. Then at 2:10 am group of drunk and very loud ladies returning home wakes me up for the third and last time. I missed the start of play by 79 minutes.

NOTE: A story on Padraig Harrington will run tomorrow.