Winner: Darren Clarke by three stokes over Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson
The U.S. Open is the most important tournament of the year, but the British Open is the most fun. This is real golf. Hit the ball in the air, run it along the ground, just find a way to get it in the hole. You see more creative shot-making in this tournament that in all the others combined.
It’s also the most cosmopolitan tournament of the year. Entrants come from more countries to play in the Open than in any other tournament. You might say it is the World Open.
This year the championship is being played at Royal St. George’s, on the south England coast. This is where Ben Curtis won in 2003. I remember tuning in early to see the fourth round, and the composed look on his face just gave me the notion that he could win. I called my Dad, who lived in a another city, and who I knew was watching, and said, “Pay attention to this guy. I think he could be our winner.” With a little help from Thomas Bjorn taking three strokes to get out of a bunker, he was.
There are two other Open-quality courses right next door to RSG, Deal and Royal Cinque Ports. It would make a great golfing vacation to pay all three.
In the early days of golf, course designers liked blind shots. There’s the vestige of one at RSG between the 5th and 6th holes. The 5th is a par 4 that doglegs left. the 6th is a par 3 that runs in the opposite direction. Between the 6th green and the spot where the 5th makes its bend, there is a 40-foot hill called The Maiden.
In the original routing, the 6th tee was at the bend, and your shot had to go over The Maiden, carrying a distance of 190 yards. A small post on top of the hill served as a directional marker. Woe betide you if you didn’t make the carry.
If 190 yards doesn’t sound like much, remember this: the hole was built in the 19th century when players used gutta percha ball and wooden clubs. The equivalent with today’s equipment would be a 250-yard carry with the peak of the hill at the 230-yard mark.
“Maiden,” by the way, derived from the original name of the hill, “Jungfrau,” a mountain in the Bernese Alps. Look for this bit of history if the broadcast lets you.
Now for the part you’re all dying to read. Who am I picking to win? Though McIlroy is the easy choice, lightning can strike twice, but not three times. The course isn’t that long at 7,211 yards, so short hitters won’t be left out. This is my birthday month. The day is the 28th. The #28 player in the World Rankings right now is Miguel Angel Jimenez. There’s your Open winner.
I might miss the tournament this year, since I’ll be in Japan during Open Week. Because of the time difference, I’d have to watch at around midnight. Probably won’t happen.