Watson and Woods Sink Stewart at 2009 Open

July 19, 2009

Stewart Cink won his first major at the 138^th Open Championship and hoisted the Claret Jug at Turnberry, but his performance was overshadowed by PGA giants Tom Watson and Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods not making the cut was a story in and of itself; something he has only done four times in his professional career and only once in a major (U.S. Open 2006).  With the absence of Woods chasing his fifteenth major on Saturday and Sunday, or popular Phil Mickelson in the hunt, interest in The Open should have been doomed.  However, the legendary Tom Watson took center stage and came close to making golf history.

Five time Open champion and eight time major winner overall, Watson captured the attention and fascination of golf fans all over the world.  His name stood on or near the top of the leader board throughout all four rounds and was easily the fan favorite coming into Sunday’s final round.  Watson walked up the 18^th hole in the fourth round at Turnberry with a chance to kiss the Claret Jug for a sixth time.  This would have been a remarkable accomplishment in not only golf, but all sports in general. Unfortunately, Watson’s par putt on the 72^nd hole of the championship failed to deliver a landmark in sports history.

Watson’s putt for victory was timid at best and I could not help but think, Tiger would have made it; or even if he missed, he would have missed it by knocking it two feet past the cup.  That is why Woods has fourteen majors to his name and more to come.  He is the best closer in the game, period.  He possesses the killer instinct necessary to win.  He may not have made the cut, but his presence always looms.  Even in his press conference after the championship ceremony, Watson couldn’t help but give praise to Tiger Woods for his ability to endure the constant pressure and attention. 

Still, Stewart Cink deserves credit for his solid play and timely putting.  He proved to be a great competitor and made clutch putts throughout the final round.  Nevertheless, the 2009 Open Championship will more likely be remembered for the performance of Tom Watson. In fact, the only thing that would have made it better would have been watching Woods in that four hole playoff with Watson.  And make no mistake, both Woods and the soon to be sixty-year old Watson will show up at St. Andrews in 2010 determined to win the 139^th Open Championship.

-Gregory Joss