Cinking Watson Elementary
Probably the only people not rooting for Tom Watson to win the British Open were Stewart Cink’s wife and immediate family. Then again, you never know. It was tough to root against the 59-year-old Watson. Everybody wanted him to win, including everyone in the press, because it was such a great story!
But the facts are simple—elementary for dear Watson. Tom Watson had trouble on 18 and when push came to shove on the windy green, he chose to putt uphill and out of the rough. It was a gutsy move. Unfortunately, the shot went past and to the left of the pin, leaving the aging veteran with about a nine-foot putt. If he could make the putt, he’d be the winner of the 2009 British Open. That putt, which more times than not he makes, was short. It was a feeble attempt and that really cost him the tournament.
With Watson and Cink tied, they went into a four-hole playoff, which Cink won handily. The 36-year-old Cink vanquished Watson, winning by six shots. Youth versus age; inexperience versus experience; probable versus possible. Cink is the first part of each of those and Watson is the second.
It was an emotional rollercoaster for Watson, fans and even commentators. When Watson walked into the silent pressroom (maybe it was the “de-pressed-room?) after the playoff, he said, “This ain’t a funeral, you know.”
And he was correct. Golf is a game. Like all other sports, that’s all it is. For Watson it’s a crushing defeat because it’s his sport, job, love and livelihood. He’s worked hard, played hard and came ever so close. And let’s face it, this isn’t like Tiger Woods missing the cut. The odds are in Woods’ favor that he’ll be back next year, and he’ll make the cut. But what are the chances that Watson at the age of 60 will be in the mix again and able to sustain an all-out four-day attack. I mean most guys his age are playing in the Seniors Tour.
Golf, like any sport, is both physically and mentally taxing. And both seemed to take their toll on Watson. The guy came as close as he could without snaring the ultimate prize. Second place in the British Open is good anytime, but to put in the rounds he did and continue to be at the top, even after faltering, simply gave everyone hope that the guy could do it.
As Watson said, “It would have been a hell of a story, wouldn’t it? And it was almost. Almost. The dream almost came true.”
Cink handled the situation with aplomb, and the entire scenario reminded me that golf is, after all, a gentleman’s game. There’s no trash talking after the tournament, no in-your-face attitudes and no histrionics in golf. Why not?
The proof in golf comes from one person’s performance matched up against another person’s performance as they compete against the gold course. Yeah, in the end it looks like they’re competing against one another, but golfers are really trying to defeat nature or at least control it for a while. The slightest mistake, miscue or misjudgment can be the difference between finishing first or second.
In essence, it’s the golfer against the course and the golfer versus themselves—physically and psychologically. Although it would have been an awesome media event if Watson had won, his second place finish offers more food for thought even though it contains less glitz and show.
“Watson wins the British Open” is a feel good, we’re going to talk about this for years story. But the story that reads, “Watson leads throughout only to tie in regulation and lose handily in a four hole playoff,” is something we’ll consider quietly, thinking about all those “what if” situations in which we have found ourselves. It’s not one of those shout out loud happenings. It makes people stop and become philosophical. Which is okay sometimes.
In the end, Watson did what we all hope we would do in similar situations. He gave it his best shot. There’s no shame in that. There never is.
Here’s a “what if” to end on. “What if Stewart Cink is in first place of the British Open when he’s 59?” Think that could happen? Naw. I think Watson has a better chance of winning the Open next year. Man, I would love to see that!
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Tags: British Open, Stewart Cink, Tom Watson
