British Open Final Round Thread

[fishwax]

Greg Norman started the day with a two stroke lead over defending champion Padraig Harrington and K.J. Choi. He hasn't won a major since the 1993 Open and hasn't even had a top ten in a major since the Clinton administration. Can he hold on to become the oldest golfer ever to win a major tournament? Or will Padraig Harrington be the first European to repeat as champion since 1906? Or will someone else come on to win their first major championship?

Anyone else watching?

[fishwax]

1. Norman opened the round with back-to-back bogeys

to give up his lead. He's now in trouble on the third.

[fishwax]

2. Harrington now has a two shot lead

but he just made his first mistake of the round--a bad tee shot on the par three seventh.

[Faygo Kid]

3. I hate to say it, but Greg wouldn't be Greg without this meltdown.

Even at 53. Good for him for getting this far, but I figured this would be painful to watch.

Happy to see David Duval close with a nice 71 after yesterday's 83. Even if he is a right-wing Bush fan (they pretty much all are out there on the tour. $$$$$$.)

[fishwax]

4. actually, Duval is a registered Democrat and not a right-wing Bush fan

He voted for Kerry in 2004, though he says he doesn't always vote along party lines. (Here's an interview where he talks about it--down near the bottom: http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/britishopen06/columns/story?columnist=verdi_bob&id=2521742.)

He also gave the max to Obama's primary campaign: http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=CO&last=duval&first=david

One more reason to be happy he closed well :) :hi:

[Faygo Kid]

5. My apologies! That's great news. I was thinking of Davis Love III.

Don't know why I confused them, but you are so very correct.

Somebody should whup me upside the head with a 9 iron for that mistake.

[fishwax]

7. oh yeah, Davis Love is a total winger, but

the 9 iron thing might be a little harsh :) >> "Somebody should whup me upside the head with a 9 iron for that mistake."

[fishwax]

6. Norman has the lead to himself again after nine

The tenth hole was a disaster yesterday, but even counting his double bogey there Norman played the back nine better than any of the other leaders. Can he hang on?

[GOPisEvil]

8. I hate playing in 20 mph winds. I can't imagine winds twice that.

This is insane. It's close to being unplayable.

[fishwax]

9. Ian Poulter takes a share of the lead

with a birdie on 16. He's the only player in the top 10 who has been under par today ...

[GOPisEvil]

10. OK, that super slo-mo thing is awesome.

Wow.

I'd be betting on Poulter right about now. He looks the most comfortable of them all.

[fishwax]

11. I'm thinking Poulter too

Though how, as you suggested, anyone can be comfortable in those winds is beyond me :)

[GOPisEvil]

12. Well, Poulter screwed up his chance. Harrington took advantage of his.

Norman is DONE. Nice run, Greg.

By the way, if Anthony Kim could have putted half-decently, he'd be winning.

[fishwax]

13. so true on Anthony Kim

I was pulling for him (being a Sooner and all :)), but he's been just off on way too many putts. It was the same way for him yesterday. He's going to be good, though ...

Poulter's three putt on 17 may wind up costing him the championship, but at least he's in the clubhouse now, and only one off the lead. Wasn't Padraig in a similar position at last year's Open, with Sergio carrying the lead behind him to the 18th hole? Should be interesting ...

[GOPisEvil]

14. Unless Harrington falls completely apart, he's the winner.

You figure at worst he has a 3-shot lead heading to 18.

[KamaAina]

15. You've gotta love Norman turning back the hands of time

to give us one more epic faceplant on Sunday at a major. :P