The British Open 2002

Ok he is easily the worlds number one golfer. But last week we all saw a side to Tiger that shows he is beatable and should not be so respected going out on to the course. The fact that the course was not all polished up and perfectly shinny weather like Augusta lead Tiger to somewhat self-explode on Saturday as he shot he's 81, which was just to rub it in 10 over par. His game did not have the skill or variety to overcome the conditions on Saturday. His head also appeared not to be as professional as everyone talks about either, as one or two bad shots suddenly got to him. His clubs were flying and one or two bad shots turned into ten or eleven bad ones. ...  Read the complete review

~ ~ So it’s all over bar the shouting for another year. The 2002 British Open Golf Championship has gone to Ernie Els, the amiable South African pro who his fellow professionals and the media dub the “Big Easy”, both because of his smooth, fluid golf swing and his easy going and friendly personality. This was the most interesting of Championships in recent years, not least because of the spectacular crash of the world’s No. 1 golfer, Tiger Woods, during the third round on Saturday, when he was quite literally blown away by the wild and unpredictable weather that is a feature of links (seaside) golf courses. (more later) ~ ~ The ...  Read the complete review

So, the tournament that started on Thursday with partially sunny skies and gradually turned into some of the worse golfing conditions I have ever seen, ended yesterday in glorious sunshine. Ernie Els, the “Big Easy”, kept his shaking in check for five extra, nail biting holes to claim his third major in eight years. It was the one he’s been after for quite some time, he informed us. After twice coming runner up in the Open I can well believe it. OK, so his speech wasn’t quite as elegant as last years from the defending champion, David Duval. But then DD didn’t have to endure an extra five holes to claim the first prize. ...  Read the complete review