Me and the Claret Jug at The Open Championship 2012. A very good experience!
Wrote earlier about my visit to this years’ The Open in Royal Lytham & St Annes. My colleague Mane wrote about the openness of the event. Here is couple of thoughts, so to speak, post Open.
Well, my prediction for The Champion Golf of the Year was G-Mac, Graeme McDowell, who finished respectable Tied 5th, but stumbled pretty badly yesterday. My colleague Mane‘s favorite – Tiger Woods – had an interesting bunker-adventure on number 6 and then caught a bogey train much like G-Mac on the middle part of the round.
Adam & Ernie
Both G-Mac and Tiger had an opportunity to win knowing now what happened in the end to Adam Scott, but at the end of the day, all we can do is congratulate Ernie Els on his 4th major championship title. Awesome back nine with 4 birdies and no bogeys.
I must say that after Adam Scott birdie the 14th hole to go four ahead and looking in total control; I thought the game was over. Even after his bogey on the tough 15th hole I didn’t see him messing this one up.
But the 3-putt on the short and simple 16th hole made the difference, as he seemed to get more nervous. Under the ultimate major championship pressure, the faults and weaknesses show and looking back, he pulled shots (and putts) left on each of the 4 last holes resulting in the fateful bogeys.
If he can learn to control his nerve and those pulled shots under the greatest of pressure, I believe Adam Scott will win couple of majors in the next 10 years or so. What a great ball striker!!!
Still slightly disappointed that had to travel back home for the weekend. Next time I will make sure to stay until the last putt is holed and play a few links rounds myself during the mornings before the leaders tee off.
Next – Kiawah Island & Golf GameBook Cup
Looking forward to the PGA Championship in three weeks time at Kiawah Island, South Carolina where I’ve had a chance to play twice. That is an interesting US links type of a golf course best known from the 1991 Ryder Cup. This course can be brutal if the wind blows and depending how long it will be set for the players.
All the best and make sure you get ready for Golf GameBook Cup which starts July 30th.
–Mikko
Here below one more picture, me and Mane at the Kiawah Island Ocean Course, hole 17.
Mikko Rantanen and Mikko ‘Mane’ Manerus at the 17th hole, Kiawah Island Ocean Course.
