Tuesday, July 19, 2011

This is one British Open I won't forget!


Darren Clarke/ CBS News

It was a wonderful week for golf at the Royal St. George's this week.  The Northern Irishman Darren Clarke won his first major title in the Open at Royal St George's. Clarke was stable all the way until the18th hole. There were moments when i thought Phil Mickelson or even Justin Johnson would be able to win the Open especially when they were within just two strokes behind Clarke.  At the end of the day, both Mickelson and Johnson who could have won, just handed it over to Darren. In his victory speech, Darren Clarke said "I've been writing this speech for 20 years now and it's been a long and bumpy road." I've had good and bad things happen to me on the way.  Sometimes I was good, sometimes I was bad but i have had so much support from everyone."

It was truly was a memorable week of golf for me.  There really is nothing quite like the British Open.  It was an awesome experience to be able to watch the best golf players in the world compete. I never imagined how brutal the conditions could be in a tournament such as this.  From winds at 35 miles an hour in pouring rain to treacherous bunkers, and deep roughs. I saw the best golfers in the world miss three footer putts and realized that even they are human after all. Royal St George's they say is the most traditional of all the Championship links courses.  That means there are lots of good and bad breaks. So a golfer can make bogeys with good shots or birdies from bad shots. Watching the players walk down to the 18th hole with the stands full is just indescribable. It was overwhelming! Many golfers say that the Open Championship is still the one to win as it gives the hardest test of golf a player will experience. After having watched the entire tournament including the practice rounds, I will have to agree. It's one tournament I hope I will have the chance to watch again.



18th hole Royal St. George's/ CBSNEWS


Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, Charles Schwartzel
KJ Choi
Martin Kaymer
Stewart Cink
Retief Goosen
Luke Donald
Sergio Garcia
Bubba Watson
Simon Dyson
John Daly

Lucas Glover

Adam Scott

With Tony and Meg Brewer


Fore!

1 comment:

Patricia Hannigan said...

Your photos are awesome! What a great job you did capturing expressions and feelings.... and the blustery, austere ambiance that's so characteristic of the Open Championship.