Shrek, Phil, and Tiger

The guy who looks like Shrek won the Open Championship. ESPN's coverage was ok at best. Tiger didn't contend and neither did Phil. I watched as much of the British Open as I could. I like courses with trees better. I don't mean any disrespect to the "Home of Golf" , but watching great golfers look clueless and uninspired was uninspiring. I understand that every course requires a different strategy but it just wasn't as fun to watch as The Masters or even the US Open. Probably just my American bias. Louis Oosthuizen played well. He was the only player that made birdies and didn't give them back to the course. The weather frustrated everyone else, but he was fortunate with his tee times the first two rounds, and he plodded along over the weekend. I like to see lesser known golfers win. It gives me hope that someday I can beat my friends who are currently better golfers than I am. I now know the two most important aspects of Golf. Ball striking and Temperament. The difference between good and great in golf is minute. You have to be able to avoid trouble , and you can't lose poise when you do. That's how Oosthuizen won. Great ball striking and a great attitude. Congratulations is in order to Shrek! ESPN had too many analysts. They talked a lot. I would have rather heard Jim Nance all week. I like Mike Tirico. I really like Scott Van Pelt, but they switched it up more than Roy Halladay on the mound. I din't see enough shots to get a greater appreciation for the perils of the course. I get that St. Andrews is hallowed ground, but even Old Tom Morris would like Augusta or Quail Hollow for that matter. As for Tiger and Phil, they didn't come close to winning. All that tells me is that the conditions were tough, and that there are tons of other great golfers. It makes what Tiger was able to dod for so many years all the more impressive. Phil is a great player, but he seems a bit aloof. He has an 'aww shucks' attitude. Like golf has never been the most important thing in his life. His wife is recovering from breast cancer. So is my mom. Golf shouldn't be the most important thing in his life. I still get the impression that he is just happy to be wealthy, and to have won a few majors. I'd be happy with that too. Maybe he just has good perspective. Can't fault him for that. Tiger's desire and putting ability always separated him from the field, but now he just looks old. Whenever I see images of him earlier in his career, I realize how worn and beat down he looks. Too much sex and debauchery with random women who aren't your wife will do that to you. Even if she never finds out. So he may never be the same. Maybe his will be a story of redemption and resurrection, but maybe when you sell your soul to the devil, there is a price. There's a good a blog by Joe Posnanski on CNNSI.com discussing whether Tiger will ever be the same. He makes some good points backed by facts. Check it out. p1-tiger-woods-ap.jpg