Pond Scrum: Clarke’s payday, absent Brits, passable Yanks
Its not a story that has often been told in the States, though its fairly common knowledge on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
In 1959, as part of his famous James Bond series, noted author Ian Fleming used Royal St. Georges under the moniker of “Royal St. Marks” in his 1959 epic .
Forget 007.
The guy with the golden touch at the 140th British Open last week at St. Georges was Darren Clarke, who not only won 900,000 pounds for claiming the title at age 42, but hauled home a reported 2 million more for meeting a bonus clause in a pact with a manufacturer, Dunlop.
Funny, in that Clarke resembles the Michelin man, huh?
Clarke is a popular figure and has played many times in the States over the years, making friends in more than one locker room and watering hole. He often has lived as large as his notable girth over the years, spending a fortune on three-wheeled motorcycles, fast cars and brewed beverages.
But after skidding close to the edge of irrelevancy with his play over the past few seasons, he caught the bug that seemingly has swept through North Ireland of late, becoming the third Ulsterman to win a major in 13 months.
He had the magic, manic touch last week, holing the clutch putts, getting the fortunate bounces and putting it all together to deny a veritable herd of Americans that was chasing at his heels.
How good does life-of-the-party Clarke have it at the moment? Hes engaged to a fashion model and former Miss Northern Ireland.
If our Pond Scrum protagonists, European Tour correspondent John Huggan and CBSSports.com senior writer Steve Elling, werent so grounded, they might just be jealous.
What happened to the homeboys? Despite playing on home soil, the high-powered English contingent was a complete disappointment, with only one English pro finishing in the top 37. What happened?
Elling: I did see one Englishman on TV after Fridays cut was made. Ian Poulter had a junior event at Woburn, and was interviewed on Sky Sports. Otherwise, he and playe we just na might as well have played in Mississippi. None made the weekend cut. Oh well, the English get another home game next year, when for the first time, the Open is held twice consecutively on English soil.
Huggan: Nothing happened. Ive been saying this for I dont know how long. How good are these guys really? Apart from Lee Westwood, who has done everyth arent producing at the very top level. So this was not he must be ready to jump from the highest building in Worksop. All around him, players from the same management firm have won majors over the past year. Hes the steadiest player in the bunch at majors and he hasnt, yet, claimed his first. This despite more than 30 wins across the globe. A real head-scratcher. Westy m guys within eight strokes of the lead were sent packing. Donald and Westwood became the first players since the world ranking was formulated 26 years ago to be ranked Nos. 1-2 in the world and miss a cut the same week at a major. So much for performing before the adoring, partisan home folks, huh?
Huggan: Yes, I really dont approve of this two-in-a-row-for-England thing. Especially when, as we all know, an Open down south only counts as half a major. Jack Nicklaus won all of his Opens in Scotland. I rest my case. The cut was a joke. Well never know, of course, but the real Open champion might just have been sitting at home watching on the box. Youre not going to tell me Lee couldnt make up eight shots over 36 holes, especially the way he was hitting the ball (he topped the GIR stats for the first two rounds).
Elling: Thankfully, you are completely unbiased. Is that the St. Andrews cross I see tattooed on your forehead? Frankly, I was completely surprised when Donald and Westy missed the weekend. They had been contending nearly every week out. Westy had one of the longest cut streaks on the PGA Tour, in fact. Maybe Im just annoyed because I had picked them to win. Me and a million others.
Huggan: Westy is on the PGA Tour? Theres news.
Elling: Are you advocating a return to the 10-shot rule, where everybody within that margin is assured a spot on the weekend? The last time they used it, 100 players made the cut. Yes, member or not, they are counting his PGA Tour starts on the cut list. Alas, now he starts over at zero. Same for Matt Kuchar, who had not missed the weekend in 14 months.
Huggan: Actually, the cut thing, along with a set of seriously tough pins on Friday, was all that the R&A got wrong all we and for that it has to be commended. I would go to an eight-shot rule. As I said, those guys are potential winners. Ten is maybe a bit too much to ask, although not impossible. See Paul Lawrie in 1999.
Elling: It was an uncomfortably close cut. After all, a few years ago, as you indicated, Paul Lawrie came from 10 shots down in a single DAY to win the thing.
Huggan: I had Matt down for a T-finish. Of course, he finishes T-9 every week doesnt he?
Elling: I guess the good news for Westy and Donald is that the PGA Championship will be held at a venue where a consistent, David Toms. Some similarities between his game then and how Luke plays now.
Huggan: Indeed. And Lee. But he needs to sort out the putting. He has been poor to average on the greens all year. Which is why he has so much trouble winning.
Tom Watson (right) guided his namesake, Tom Lewis (left), during the first two rounds of the Open. (Getty Images)
Who was more impressive, Young Tom Lewis or Old Tom Watson?
Elling: I think it was Trevor Immelman who opined that if the British was played under sloppy circumstances every time, Watson would contend until the day they throw dirt on his coffin. He might be right. Outside of Sam Snead, no other player has been this good for this long. After winning five British Opens in his prime, he was out there stealing the show again, with an ace early in the week, and mentoring Tom Lewis, who was named after him. Stories like these make you glad to be a golfer, at whatever level or skill. Watson has become a father figure, one of the consciences of the game. If he talks, I listen.
Huggan: Im taking Rickie Fowler. I was hugely impressed by the lad from California. He kicked Rorys ass on the third day and showed a great affinity for links golf. He has so many shots and even seemed to be enjoying the tough conditions. Lewis showed great promise. But he had one great round in nice weather and basically hung on after that.
Elling: I loved the part where Watson was giving advice on how to play links golf. He noted that younger players seem to swing harder in the wind, which messes up trajectory, which is crucial in high winds. “Theres an old saying in golf, When its breezy, swing easy.” Even an absent-minded bogey golfer like me can remember that one. In fact, I am henceforth coining a catch phrase to describe Pond Scrum: “Swing hard and worry about the yardage later.” Ahem.
Huggan: That saying is older than God. But it begs repeating and remains nothing less than true. Watching Tom Watson play links golf is an education we should be happy to pay for.
Elling: Links golf is truly about experience, as Mickelson noted Sunday. Watson has more battle scars, good and bad, from the Open than any other player I can name. Hey, Nicklaus only won it three times. Watson might be the greatest links player in history, especially given the era in which he played. Salutes all around.
Huggan: If Watson had received the more favorable end of the draw, who knows what might have happened.
Royal St. Georges has taken some lumps over the years for, well, having too many lumps in the fairways. What was your on-site evaluation of how it held up?
Elling: Hmmmmm. At the risk of going all Bubba Watson here and sound dumber than a box of range balls, just because links golf is a different culture, I left less than impressed. In fact, for a while, I was really worried that one of the venues infamous lucky bounces might decide the tournament. Oh, wait, two lucky bounces rather did. Clarke had two iron shots from the rough bounce over pot bunkers and another approach caromed 90 degrees left toward a flagstick. Ah, the not-so-sweet science of Sandwich.
Huggan: I have to say the course grew on me. It was much better than I remembered, although that fact was helped enormously by the act of God that left the rough some way short of where it was last time. In 2003, we had that boring hack-out rough where everyone was reduced to to try things. Sometimes, those things proved to be mistakes, hence the wide range of numbers we saw on the board. All in all, thats just what you want in any Open. I only hope the R&A were paying attention and try to get the rough at this level every year. I have my doubts though.
Elling: Ive only once seen a golfing entity with more unsightly lumps and swales, when I saw Monty once with his shirt off in the locker room. Ah, Monty jokes. The ever-faithful Pond Scrum standby. Seriously, thank God there was no four-hole aggregate playoff, because it was going to take place on the first and 18th holes, with each hole played twice. Those fairways look like abandoned RAF fighter planes are buried underground somewhere. When you have level-headed players like Adam Scott and Charl Schwartzel noting that certain humpbacked fairways are repelling balls, then you have a problem. Those two are hardly the hysterical types.
Huggan: Bounces are part of links golf. You need to get out more. Think about it. Every time the ball is in the air there are only two possibilities. Either it will get a good bounce or a bad one. Neither of those two you mentioned have a clue about golf courses. Nice guys, but devoid of a clue. You would be amazed at how little Adam knows about what is good and bad in design.
Elling: Youre killing me here. All year, you and golf traditionalist Geoff Ogilvy have produced magazine stories and yet when random luck is a huge part of the bargain, thats OK? I dont get it. I watched the threesome of Els, Fowler and McIlroy hit drives on Thursday that landed in the middle of the fairway. One caromed into the left rough, two went in the right.
Huggan: And Charl? Hes too busy killing defenseless animals to bother about the nuances of links golf. Give me some better names.
Elling: I had read this quote before and forgotten it until last week, when it resurfaced. Steve Elkington once ranked St. Georges as the 10th-best course in the Open rotation. Punchline: There are only nine courses on the list.
Huggan: Youre missing the point. Who says that the middle of the fairway has to be perfect every time? Playing a links, you are often better to drive into the edge of the rough. What side you come in from is much more important than hitting or missing the fairway. Elkington is a bitter, bitter man. But Im not saying he is wrong.
Elling: I miss the point as they miss fairways? Maybe its better to play from the rough unless the fescue is sticking up like the London mayors hair. The topography of the rough was flatter than some of the fairways, I will give you that. There were holes where there were more divots in the rough than fairway. So, why have a fairway at all?
Huggan: Did you ask Els, Fowler and McIlroy where they were aiming with those drives?
Elling: All three shots landed within 20 yards of the other. I think they were aiming at the dead elephant buried in the middle.
Were you surprised by the news that the host Royal & Ancient has agreed to take another look at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland? No major has been played on Irish soil since 1951 and there are plenty of hurdles.
Elling: I would have been outraged if they hadnt at least gone through the motions. Three of the past six major winners are from Northern Ireland. If they can hold a major at a tiny town like Sandwich, they can do it anywhere … in theory. John, why dont you commit career suicide and tell us why it will never happen?
Huggan: The R&A is, I suspect, saying they will take another look at Portrush just to make the story go away. They have no intention of going back there, especially at this time of year when the marching season is in full swing. If Portrush was going to see another Open, we would have k squeeze in there is part of it, too. Money talks.
Will Northern Irelands Royal Portrush ever join the Open rota? (Getty Images)
Elling: It was interesting to watch R&A chief Peter Dawson tiptoe through a minefield on this issue. Until this week, I had no idea it was so complex. It is virtually impossible for the English to say aloud, or even imply, that the unrest in Northern Ireland is a concern. Marching season, as you rightly said, is held the same time as the Open and led to multiple arrests last week. I sense that the infrastructure issues could be mostly solved. Its the strife, and potential issues with low attendance, that cause concern.
Huggan: Couldnt have said it better myself. Maybe youre not so bad after all. It is a shame, though. Portrush is one great course.
Elling: I hate t from hosting. Plus, I would really like for the company to pay for a trip to Ireland. You know, its really all about us scribes.
Huggan: Lets be honest here, what have the major victories of Darren, Graeme and Rory got to do with Portrushs suitability? Not a lot.
So, what should we take away as far as the American contingent? They were certainly more in the mix than at recent majors.
Elling: Is that pint half empty or half full? Take your pick. Yanks were obviously poised to undercut Clarke, which hasnt happened since the PGA last year with Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson. But despite having five of the final top seven, the Yanks didnt win for the sixth straight major, extending a record for American futility. Entering this year, the longest drought without a U.S. win, ever, had been four majors.
Heres the part that left plenty in the States imbued with a se are age 27 or younger. Thats crackling good news from a marketing and validation standpoint.
Huggan: Three Americans impressed me hugely. If there was a point to be made, they made it. Phil was terrific for 63 holes, but then turned into “Old Phil” for the last nine. After showing me he really can play links golf in a wind, he reverted to type, missed the inevitable short putt, got too aggressive and, presto, didnt win. As for Johnson, get your money on now. He will win the Open at St. Andrews four years from now. Ill be shocked if he doesnt.
Elling: Dustin Johnson has been in the final group in three different majors over the past two seasons. That, alone, means something. Will he get over this setback? Why not? He always has. Not a deep thinker, per se.
Huggan: And Fowler? Like I said, loved watching him play. It looked like he was from, oh, somewhere like Northern Ireland. Whereas Rory is more suited to golf American-style. Call it irony. I like Johnsons play, even if Im not a huge fan of his technique. That shut face worries m see John Daly 1995.
Elling: Swing coach Butch Harmon had a funny line that I neglected to use Sunday night about Johnson, one of his clients. “Hes playing in Sweden this week and I wouldnt be surprised if he won. But then again, given the nightlife in Sweden ….” In other words, D.J. wont beat himself up. He never has. Resilient lad. Lets just hope he is cataloging the multiple misfires and learning from them.
Huggan: Indeed, his lack of deep thought can be an advantage sometimes.
Elling: Read an interesting note last weekend about Johnson. His ex-caddie, Bobby Brown, stated that Johnson doesnt work very hard at the game. His short game, in particular, needs shoring up. His wedges make me cringe at times.
Huggan: All part of that shut-face thing.
What do we make o two years ago. What happened?
Elling: In abysmal weather not fit for sea lions, that compact swing of his was perfect. His low center of gravity didnt hurt in that wind, either. Hows that for a euphemism?
Huggan: The biggest factor in Darrens win is his state of mind. Hes happy again. Hes back living in Portrush. His kids are loving school there with their cousins. They get to see their grandparents regularly. And Darren has played a lot of links golf over the past few months, often in tough conditions. Does that sound familiar?
Elling: By the middle of the back nine, I was convinced that his win was ordained. He played better than the rest and Johnsons caddie Joe LaCava noted the aforementioned shots that hopped over bunkers. It was his week. Sometimes a guy just has an aura.
Huggan: As ever with him, it came down to how well he putted. And he was very good, if not great, on the greens. The three putts he made on the first three holes on Sunday were terrific efforts and got him moving in the right direction. If he had missed the first one who knows what might have happened? Ach, that shot that hopped over the bunker on the 9th was way overblown. I bet you every player in the field got at least one break like that over the 72 holes. We just didnt see them. Darren was lucky at times though.
Elling: There was a funny moment Sunday night when Clarke spat out the exact quote that had been written two years ago by a prominent UK golf writer, who flatly stated that Clarkes career was skidding into a wall. You know what? I thought Darrens career was over, too. Too many late nights, too many pints, not enough self-discipline, etc. I wasnt sure he still had it in him. Lets face it, he isnt exactly the type to be in bed by 10 p.m. I swear, Darren hit a shot that went right through a TV tower on Sunday, too.
Huggan: But it was a great newspaper line: “Clarke continues his inexorable slide into golfing irrelevance.” Beautiful. Moving back to N.I. has slowed Darren down. As he said himself, hes not out on the razzle every night like he used to be. Much more stable.
Elling: It must have been a good line. Clarke memorized it and threw it right back in the writers face. With a laugh, I should emphasize. If these guys can read, we better be careful.
Huggan: Then again, he was up all Sunday night. And he did look the worse for wear on Monday morning. I can easily forgive him that, though. Hes a human being, not a robot like some golfers try to be.
So, what about Phil?
Elling: A running joke all week was that if Phil was going to win the British, it would be in a town called Sandwich. In a five-guys playoff. Then Ill be darned if he didnt nearly steal the show Sunday. Hard to believe that a player with his sort of creativity has mostly stunk at the Open. It would seem to be right in his wheelhouse. The shots he hit on the front nine were as good or better than any I have seen over nine holes in his major career. Period. And I was standing next to Butch Harmon and Phils brother, Tim, when Mickelson torched Augusta in the third round last year. Phil did not miss a shot for 10 holes Sunday. Then the putter bit him, again.
Huggan: Phil went up in my links golf estimation. He showed his ball flight can adapt to wind and bouncy ground. But, as I said, some things never change. I have the awful feeling he missed too many short putts to ever again win a major. Hope Im wrong though. Whatever else he is, he is fun to watch. Maybe he should start reading the putts by himself. Bones leaping in with his opinions can only confuse things at times. One thought is often better than two.
Elling: A sports-talk radio host asked me on Monday if Phil has the yips. I had never really considered that possibility before. He has missed a slew of shorties of late. On the American ESPN feed, Paul Azinger noted that Mickelson might someday represent the worst short putter in the Hall of Fame. Harsh, and completely untrue as long as Hogan isnt kicked out, but his point is taken. By my count, and there are no stats to dispute it, he missed four putts from inside four feet for the week, including an 18-incher, the shortest of his pro career.
Huggan: I think Phil is better suited to longer putts, when his feel and touch can come into play. Short putts are much more mechanical in nature. Not Phils thing.
Elling: Still, Phil seemed relieved, happy, afterward. He likes Clarke, who helped him through a tough time with wife Amys cancer. And he was clearly, clearly relieved to be relevant on Sunday at the worlds oldest major for only the second time in 18 starts. Mickel but was optimistic that it will change. We will certainly see plenty of him. Hes playing three in a row starting next week and he finished second the last time around at the PGA Championships venue next month in Atlanta. He sure loves to tempt us, doesnt he?
Huggan: Azinger is all over the map with his opinions.
Elling: As opposed to us. We never crawl out too far on any limb. Only until it shears off.
