Harrington Triumphs, But Tiger Was Sorely Missed

The Open Championship 2008 at Royal Birkdale will undoubtedly go down as a success for the organizers and Royal & Ancient. With attendances over 200,000 people (up 9,000 on last year), the powers that be are understandably happy with how the week went.

Equally, they can point to such impressive viewing figures as evidence that Tiger Woods' absence had little effect on proceedings. With much of the talk before the event surrounding "The Asterix Open," (perhaps the winner’s name on the trophy should have a * denoting that Mr. Woods was not in attendance), the R&A have been telling anyone that will listen what a triumph the event ultimately was.

The reality, unfortunately, is slightly different.

Padraig Harrington was undoubtedly a worthy winner, proving that he can win the Open with or without Tiger in the field—a rare achievement. But, due in part to his dominant finish, the excitement was not quite there.

Media (and public) hopes for a great story rested with Greg Norman. The Great White Shark, in the absence of the game’s dominant predator, found himself once more in the hunt for golf’s biggest prize.

With new wife Chris Evert in attendance, the media could sense a story. Unfortunately, Norman lost the scent in the final round and soon fell out of contention. So did many of Harrington’s nearest competitors—KJ Choi and Simon Wakefield closest among them.

Doing nothing for creating tension and drama, it was left to Ian Poulter—four holes ahead of Harrington—to put some pressure on the Irishman. While unable to hole many putts down the stretch, the Englishman set a decent clubhouse score at +7.

Harrington, at +5, came to the 17th with a reasonable cushion. With two majestic strikes of his 5-wood, the Irishman recorded an outstanding eagle that effectively ended the tournament.

At this point millions turned off their TVs—they had seen his victory speech last year. Who needed a repeat?

This is not to discredit the Irishman, who became only the 16th player to defend the Open Championship. He has inarguably clinched his place in European golfing folklore—guaranteeing him future Ryder Cup captaincy and the constant adoration of the press corps. It couldn’t happen to a nicer bloke.

But if Poulter, Norman, or even the amateur Chris Wood could have won—well it would certainly have provided more of a story. The remaining Tiger-less major, the USPGA, needs to provide some excitement, for the good of the game.

If the ’08 Open taught us anything, it is that Mr. Woods is nearly bigger than the game of golf. Without him, the whole process seems to be an orchestra without its conductor. Without him, it was easier to see how he has already accumulated 14 majors.

At the conclusion of events, Harrington’s victory was not the topic of conversations. It was still Tiger’s absence—an unfortunate state of affairs.

All eyes now turn to the USPGA at Oakland Hills, hopeful of a dramatic finish and/or newsworthy winner.  A similar story to this week, and Woods' return cannot come soon enough.

The Open 2008: Not quite the "Asterix Open," but certainly far from a vintage year.