Final Thoughts On This Year's 2009 British Open

One of the most compelling British Open's in recent memory, this year's version had it all. 59-year-old Tom Watson caught lighting in a bottle and nearly pulled off a victory for the ages.

Stewart Cink finally fulfilled the promise he showed as an All-American at Georgia Tech. A career full of near misses, Cink obtains the type of victory that's eluded him. 

There was also Tiger Woods, who ended up missing the cut. That's news worthy anytime it happens. 

Now that the 2009 British Open has come to an end, there are a few thoughts I’d like to share with the readers out there.

• Before getting to Tom Watson's historic run, let's give credit to former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket golfer Stewart Cink for winning this year's British Open. After missing a chance for birdie at the relatively easy par five 17th at Turnberry, he nails a birdie on the 18th to get -2 and a chance for the playoff. Cink plays beautifully in the four-hole playoff with Tom Watson to take the title.
• One of the best American golfers on tour, but just under the radar of the Woods and Mickelsons, most golf critics believed Cink was destined to eventually win a major. His game was just too solid for the perennial Ryder Cup player. This is the win Cink has been looking for since his short par miss in the 2001 U.S. Open at Southern Hills,  which kept him out of a playoff.
  
• Tom Watson made a historic run at the British Open title. At age 59, he was within a par putt of winning his ninth major, and setting all kinds of "oldest to" records. Watson actually made a fine shot on  the 18th, and unfortunately had it run through the green. This created a tricky up-and-down, which he failed to convert with a tentative putt. Watson made this British Open a lot of fun to watch, and came so close to a victory.
• I thought this might be a week when the English players would have a solid week. Three English players (Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, and Chris Woods) finished in the top five. Westwood in particular is an English version of Cink. He should be a very good player for several years, and is just on the cusp of winning a major. Hopefully, he'll win one eventually.
  
• Tiger Woods is still best golfer on the planet, but he's got some work to do. Spraying the golf ball all over the course, and visibly upset with his play, I wonder if he's just starting to press a little in the majors. Remember, Watson never won another major after age 34. I'm not saying that will happen to Woods, but majors are really tough to win.
  
• The PGA Championship at Hazeltine Golf Club in August is going to be very interesting. Can Tiger Woods return to form? Will Phil Mickelson likely return? Will another forgotten player like Tom Watson or David Duval make a run at the title? That's why they call it Glory's last shot.

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