Harrington's double British uncommon but more so his modesty
Golf got an unexpected jolt of adrenalin over the weekend when Greg Norman took a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Open Championship before his game imploded with a fistful of bogies. At the same time, Ireland's Padraig Harrington was drilling shots through the wind at Royal Birkdale to card a 32 on the final nine and essentially breeze to his second straight British victory by four strokes over Ian Poulter. Norman, 53, settled for a tie for third six strokes off the lead but, in the process, added a to his cache in the marketing of his resorts and sportswear.
Interestingly, it was the second straight major won by a wounded champion. Tiger Woods prevailed in the U.S. Open on a recuperating knee that has since required more extensive surgery. Harrington had an injured wrist that almost kept him from even starting the defense of his title.
Mostly, though, I was taken with Harrington's modest acceptance of the Claret Jug and that he spoke both privately to Norman and publicly that he wished it had been Norman's day.
"I did say to him coming down 18 that I was sorry it wasn't his story that was going to be told," Harrington was quoted as saying. "I did feel that, but I wanted to win myself. In this game, you have to take your chances when you get them."
Harrington's sportsmanship was quaint, old-timey, Bobby Jones-like. And entirely too uncommon in the 21st century.
Comments
I'd agree with you. Harrington seems like a quality person and I was glad to see him win once it was obvious Norman wasn't going to win.
Did you see the latest Wie story?
"Wie will play next week in the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, the first time she’ll play on the PGA Tour this year, tournament organizers said."
She was having a tough time just making a cut on the LPGA until recently and now the PGA? Her advisers really made this a mess when they avoided petitioning the LPGA to become a member when she was younger. Now she is limited to 6 LPGA events until she goes through Q-school, which she seems to be avoiding. If she hadn't been DQ last week and would have stayed near the top (a likely event) she could have made enough money to make it but now she only has one more exemption left.
Unfortunately for the LPGA they need Michelle, Paula Creamer and Ochoa (I'm leaving out Annika since she is retiring) in most tournaments to offset all of the Koreans. Most people I know are turned off by the huge Korean influence because nearly all of them seem so robotic. Few show any emotion, don't speak English and dress alike. The guy that won the major a few weeks ago showed no emotion at all. I'm not for outrageous behavior but you'd think there would be some excitement if you win a major.
At least Norman saved the Open. Without his story, I think a lot of people wouldn't have watched it.
Rich
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Rich,
That's absolutely spot on about the British Open.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Rich | July 21, 2008 7:24 PM