5. The Crowds
The crowds were sparse this week at Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland, as the golf world caught a glimpse of reality: the economy is struggling… immensely… everywhere. I was shocked when I saw the thin crowds surrounding even the leaders Thursday through Saturday. It is common place to see spectators stacked ten or more rows deep at Major Championships, but not this year.
Logistically, Turnberry is a very difficult place to host a modern day Major. There is one road coming in and one road going out. Furthermore, I don’t recall many (or any) hotels or motels in the surrounding area (other than the Turnberry Hotel which is reserved for players, family of players, and other PGA Tour and R&A executives). It was just a little weird to see one of the most dramatic storylines in the history of sport playing out in front of crowds similar in size to what you’d see at your local county fair. However, the spectacle of Tom Watson permeated into living rooms across the world.
4. Social Media Embraced by the World of Golf
I smell change in the air. Gone are the days of golf as an old man’s game (er… that seems kinda ironic seeing as how this week was defined by the near wire-to-wire win by 59-year old Tom Watson). Youth and the digital age have finally collided in a game that prides itself on tradition. I heard Twitter referenced countless times by countless television analysts and commentators this week. Moreover, I have seen the PGA Tour and European Tour make a concerted effort to promote social media savvy guys on tour; namely Stewart Cink, Ian Poulter, Rory McIllroy, and John Daly over the past few months. It is apparent that the golf world recognizes the importance of engaging and motivating grassroots level fans, as well as talent in this digital age.
In my estimation, Ian Poulter understands the platform of social media better than the rest. He in informative, insightful, interactive, and engaging. He gives his followers a real glimpse into his life – both on and off the golf course. It is not uncommon for Poulter to have an impromptu trivia contest and award winners with anything from Final Round US Open tickets on Father’s Day to custom designed and stamped Titleist Vokey wedges. He takes “behind the scenes” pictures and answers questions from fans regularly. He even tweeted a picture of his flashy outfit before he began his first round.
As a result of these efforts, his visibility is higher than ever. Sure, he is a great player, but because he has embraced social media as a way to promote himself, his brand, and his career, he has now become a “watercooler topic”. He is becoming a true “brand”. As a big-picture thinking, multifaceted entreprenuer, Poulter will undoubtedly reap the benefits of his social media awareness in business.
Stewart Cink, on the other hand, had to answer more questions about what he was going to tweet after his win than what it actually meant to him. He gave his followers what they wanted only a few hours after his victory… He tweeted a picture of himself kissing the Claret Jug in the player’s locker room at Turnberry with the words “Not sure what to say yet but this picture should do the trick…”
3. Tiger Misses the Cut
Tiger missing the cut surprised me for two reasons. 1) HE NEVER MISSES CUTS AT MAJORS! 2) He has won his last start a week before each of the last 3 Majors. He’s SUPPOSED to win! Forget the cut… that was supposed to be a foregone conclusion. He’s only missed one other cut at Major in his professional career and that was right after his father died at the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot. So, that one almost doesn’t even count. But, in retrospect I thank Tiger for taking a step back this week to let the original T-Dubb bask in the British spotlight once again. A Note to Bloggers: Tiger is NOT on the downswing of his career! His best days are NOT behind him! Enough already! Seriously. Stop looking so deep into this. Tiger may have 10 more Major’s in him! He is still the SUREST BET IN SPORTS!
2. 2003 Major Champions Implode
In case you forgot in the hoopla… 2003 British Open Champion, Ben Curtis was co-leading the tournament at one time and MISSED THE CUT! He was tied with Tom Watson at 5-under after the first day of play only to shoot 80 in the second round! 2003 Masters Champion, Mike Weir was also right in the hunt after a first round 67, then went on to shoot 78 on Friday and miss the cut! These are battle-tested Major Champions that aren’t supposed to fold on SUNDAY, let alone FRIDAY! John Senden’s performace was also shocking, following up an opening 66 with a second round 80 and missing the cut.
1. (a) Tom Watson in Contention (b) Tom Watson Loses
As surprising it was to see Tom Watson vault into the lead with an early 65, it was equally surprising to see the fairy tale end late Sunday afternoon. After showing on Thursday that he wasn’t in the field to be merely a ceremonial contestant, Watson sustained his stellar form until his final putt on the 72nd green. He was timid for the first time all week. He made a very defensive stroke that seemed to take the wind out of his 59-year old sails. Watson was deflated, Cink was energized. The playoff was over before it started.
As fierce as Turnberry was, the ending seemed more than cruel. Hour-by-hour, day-by-day, people across the world were beginning to believe more and more that Tom Watson not only could win, but WOULD win the 138th Open Championship. He was supposed to rewrite the record books with a record-tying 6th British Open Title. The ending just doesn’t seem fitting. It was as if the golf gods were reminding us that although golf is a game for a lifetime, it doesn’t discriminate. Cinderella is just as vulnerable as The Evil Stepmother and Goliath is just as vulnerable as David.
Tags: 2009, @stewartcink, Ben Curtis, british open, crowd, Golf, ian poulter, John Senden, major, Mike Weir, pga, R & A, Royal and Ancient, Stewart Cink, tiger woods, Tom Watson, Turnberry, twitpic, twitter
