Watson showed us the importance of playing golf at its most basic level; that is, finding fairways off the tee and hitting accurate approach shots. While players less than half his age struggled to find their mojo all week, it was Watson - who at almost 60 years of age and with a replaced hip - showed the world that the game of golf requires a special understanding and incredible skill to truly understand the game as the course dictates it should be played.
By his own admission he knows that he simply cannot compete with today's touring pros on ultra-long courses. He knows he can't compete at Augusta National unless he's "absolutely perfect...the course is just too long for me." But Watson knew that his ability would suit him well at Turnberry. The fact that Watson came so close to becoming the oldest player to win a major is amazing, but given the fact that it was at Turnberry makes it even more spectacular. It was in 1977 at Turnberry that Watson and Nicklaus battled in what was called the Duel in the Sun, the players then both tied after 15 holes after Nicklaus started the back with a 1-shot lead. Watson went on to hit shot after brilliant shot to beat Nicklaus, but that event in and of itself is worthy another post altogether...
Players today are obsessed with high launch angles and low spin rates, but there sure is a lot to be said about classic golf. Watson made novices believe that they can achieve the impossible. He made professionals believe that hard work and persistence will yield great results. He made the young strive to put aside any adversity they may have, and he inspired old-timers to dust off their dormant clubs and resurrect the old great feeling of hitting that perfect shot. This Open Championship won't be known as the time that Tiger missed the cut for only the 2nd time in his career, but rather it will be known for how great the game is and how it transcends generations. Watson's class and supreme sportsmanship in defeat highlight how great the game of golf truly is.
Let's not take away anything from Stewart Cink who was lurking all week and made huge clutch putts when it mattered most. Cink himself personifies class on the golf course, and his skill and talent have long been established, but his win validates all those years of earning top dollar sans the major trophy.
Golfers young and old should understand the importance of the fundamentals of the game. It's vital to play the course as it was meant to be played. More often that not, short and accurate will prevail over longer and imprecise. It's an elementary strategy employed by Watson who could have pulled off one of the greatest moment in sports of all all time.
Elementary, my dear Watson. You almost had it.
Thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment