Couresty of AFP/Getty Images - Paul Ellis Irishman Padraig Harrington kisses the Claret Jug, after winning the 136th British Open Golf Championship at Carnoustie, Scotland, 22 July 2007.
The par 4, 18th hole at Carnoustie wrote another dramatic chapter in its already storied British Open history.
Who can forget the famed collapse of Jean Van de Velde in 1999?
Van de Velde had a three-stroke lead as he strode toward the 18th hole in the 1999 Open. From his infamous tee-shot, Van de Velde’s ball was gobbled up by Barry Burn, caromed off the bleachers and later found the drink. Jean finished with a triple-bogey seven, and Scotsman Paul Lawrie ultimately won in a playoff.
It appeared the demons of the finishing hole, would add Padraig Harrington to a long list, as he gave up the lead with a double bogey. However, Sergio Garcia’s marvelous play at the Open crashed to a halt opening the door for the Irishman.
Sergio would miss a 10-foot putt to save par and then lose to Harrington by a stroke in a four-hole playoff.
Garcia had an opportunity to erase his past and all the questions about his ability to finish tournaments, but those questions remain. While Sergio tied his best finish at a major, second, (1999 PGA Championship) he choked again in the final around.
Garcia shot only three bogeys during the first three rounds of this year's Open. But on Sunday, when it counted, the Spaniard doubled his number of bogeys shooting six, including one that sealed his fate on the first playoff hole.
Here’s a brief look at what Garcia has done when having the outright lead or a share of the lead entering the final round of a tournament:
2007 – The Open Championship, Finished 2nd, losing in a playoff
2006 – Buick Invitational, Finished tied-8th
2005 - Volvo Masters, Finished 2nd: European Masters, won: Wachovia Championship, Finished tied-2nd, losing in a playoff
Who can forget the famed collapse of Jean Van de Velde in 1999?
Van de Velde had a three-stroke lead as he strode toward the 18th hole in the 1999 Open. From his infamous tee-shot, Van de Velde’s ball was gobbled up by Barry Burn, caromed off the bleachers and later found the drink. Jean finished with a triple-bogey seven, and Scotsman Paul Lawrie ultimately won in a playoff.
It appeared the demons of the finishing hole, would add Padraig Harrington to a long list, as he gave up the lead with a double bogey. However, Sergio Garcia’s marvelous play at the Open crashed to a halt opening the door for the Irishman.
Sergio would miss a 10-foot putt to save par and then lose to Harrington by a stroke in a four-hole playoff.
Garcia had an opportunity to erase his past and all the questions about his ability to finish tournaments, but those questions remain. While Sergio tied his best finish at a major, second, (1999 PGA Championship) he choked again in the final around.
Garcia shot only three bogeys during the first three rounds of this year's Open. But on Sunday, when it counted, the Spaniard doubled his number of bogeys shooting six, including one that sealed his fate on the first playoff hole.
Here’s a brief look at what Garcia has done when having the outright lead or a share of the lead entering the final round of a tournament:
2007 – The Open Championship, Finished 2nd, losing in a playoff
2006 – Buick Invitational, Finished tied-8th
2005 - Volvo Masters, Finished 2nd: European Masters, won: Wachovia Championship, Finished tied-2nd, losing in a playoff
After the tournament finished, Sergio spread the blame on everyone but himself. He had to wait too long for the bunkers to get raked on the 18th hole, not to mention how luck was not on his side when the ball he hit off the flag shot rolled a good 15-feet past the hole.
Sorry Sergio, there is no one to blame but yourself.
The Spaniard had ample opportunities and failed to take them, like what has happened so many times before.
Garcia is not quite 27 years-old, so he's got plenty of time to win a major. Someday he will shake the best-player never to have won a major label, it just didn't happen Sunday. In the mean time, showing a bit more maturity hurt.
*Other notes: Harrington became the first Irishman to claim the Claret Jug since 1947. In 1975, Johnny Miller lost the 1975 Open Championship at Carnoustie when he took two-shots to get out of the bunker on 18.
The Spaniard had ample opportunities and failed to take them, like what has happened so many times before.
Garcia is not quite 27 years-old, so he's got plenty of time to win a major. Someday he will shake the best-player never to have won a major label, it just didn't happen Sunday. In the mean time, showing a bit more maturity hurt.
*Other notes: Harrington became the first Irishman to claim the Claret Jug since 1947. In 1975, Johnny Miller lost the 1975 Open Championship at Carnoustie when he took two-shots to get out of the bunker on 18.
1 comment:
Sergio at this point in his career reminds me a lot like Phil Mikkelson who was a master at finishing second for so many years. Once Phil broke through the ice and won a major tournament, he became one of the top players in the world. Maybe Sergio will do the same (Although he is a jerk compared to Mikk.)
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