While I can't say I watched even a single moment of this year's
British Open (and no, it had nothing to do with Tiger Woods not being involved) I feel the need to comment on it. I really wish Greg Norman had been able to hold on and win the tournament. Nothing against Padraig Harrington, in fact I actually like him a lot, but it would've been so great if Norman could've pulled it off. At 53 he would've been the oldest player to win a major (right now,
Jack Nicklaus holds the record at 46) but even better he would've been able to salvage his tattered reputation.
I guess he probably has saved his reputation even without winning, but bringing home the Claret Jug would've really done the trick. I'll never forget his complete collapse at Augusta in 1996, it was probably the most awkward I've ever felt watching a sporting event. There's nothing you can do to help a guy who is completely losing it right in front of you, and for that to happen to what seemed to be a good guy, and on that kind of stage, was just awful.
This just about sums up what happened that day twelve years ago.
Of course he'd won the British Open twice before, in
1986 and again in
1993, so it's not like he's this lovable loser. In fact he's one of the richest former athletes out there with his stakes in
wine making,
clothing, real estate and
golf course development and construction, just to name a few. Plus he just married
Chris Evert.
Still though, it would've been nice. People mention him in the same breath as
Jean Van de Velde, and I suppose rightfully so. If there was any way for a guy to get off that list, this was it. He'll probably never contend for a major again, in fact I'm a little surprised he even entered the event to begin with since he's only a few years from qualifying for the Champions Tour, which is the old-guys league.
But I don't care about this for the story's sake. Things like that make me angry listening to sports columnists on tv and radio. It makes sense for them to want a good story because then they have something to write about without doing much work. But for the average fan, can't it be good enough to pull for a guy because he's a good guy?