Here are five reasons why you should watch the 2015 British Open, as it gets underway this week in St. Andrews, Scotland.
By Patrick Comia
It’s not just another playground for those guys who hit a small, white ball. No, it’s much more than that.
It’s a historic location that is treated with the utmost respect. It has to be by those lucky enough to set foot on the first tee box. It presents challenges to every type of golfer in the purest sense.
The Old Course is the birthplace of golf. It’s where legends have graced the fairways and triumphed over their peers and the elements. Names like Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Sir Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have all carved their names into the golf course’s history.
It’s not just another golf course, another tournament, another stop. No, St. Andrews is more. It’s a magical place that few get to experience. It’s one of those special places a golfer puts on their bucket list next to Augusta National in Georgia or Pebble Beach Golf Course in California.
Here are five reasons why you should tune into golf this week and witness this historic event:
5) The golf course itself is worth admission
The Old Course at St. Andrews is unique in its own right. Here in the United States, golfers and spectators alike are used to the luscious green fairways, well-manicured putting surfaces, and sunny days. Perfect conditions.
In the United Kingdom it’s a much different story. Heavy winds, a cooler climate, wet conditions, brown fairways, shared greens between two holes, wispy hay obscure onlookers. Who the heck would want to play there, right?
Well, it’s difficult to describe to someone who is not familiar to the sport or doesn’t appreciate the history of the game.
But, it was how the game got it’s start: from nothing. It offers a different venue, bringing golf back to it’s roots.
And with the British Open being held at St. Andrews for the 29th time in its history, the sport has come back to its birthplace.
4) The next great American golfer tries for history
If you watch this weekend, you could be witnessing history by the next American hopeful.
21-year old Jordan Spieth has been taking the golfing world by storm this year. The Dallas, TX native owns the first-two of four legs of golf’s version of the Grand Slam: The Masters and U.S. Open.
A winner of five golf tournaments this season, including two in a row entering tomorrow, the young hopeful is looking to join exclusive company, that only the likes of Tiger Woods has done in recent memory.
Spieth has momentum on his side and brings an air of confidence entering Thursday. It will help that world number one Rory McIlroy will not be in the field. He was injured in a non-golf related accident to his heel that will keep out of this week’s tournament.
3) Tiger looks to make it three championships at the Old Course
Even though his performance has been inconsistent and painful to watch these past couple of years, Tiger Woods still attracts attention. His intimidation and aura may not be what it what once was, beating the field by 10 strokes, but he is still a factor to consider. His play has improved with a solid four-round tournament (Greenbrier, -7, tied for 17th). However, it’s been anything but Tiger-like this season, where he has missed three cuts and finished no higher than 17th in eight tournaments this season.
However, the Old Course has been kind to Tiger in the past. Two of his three British Open titles have come here. In 2000, Woods won by eight strokes over Thomas Bjorn and Ernie Els. This was during the time of his great run from 1999 to 2000, where he seemed to win every tournament he entered. St. Andrews marked his second win of the tiger Slam that year.
In 2005, Woods won by five strokes, beating Colin Montgomery and extending his unbeaten streak in Majors to 10-0.
The last time the Open Championship was played at St. Andrews, Woods was in the field, but did not win. He returns this year with doubts from everyone about his ability to win here, and with good reason.
But, Woods will be determined to prove everyone wrong. Even with him picking up the pieces of his game, he wants to make a statement on the most historic stages in golf.
2) A legend will walk one final time over the Swilcan Bridge
Legendary golfer Tom Watson will make his 38th, and final appearance in the British Open. He announced this event will be his last as a regular on the PGA Tour. However, when asked if he were to return if he makes the top 10 this week, he left the door open and suggested he would consider it.
At his press conference, he described what this week will feel like:
“It’s a little bit like death,” said Watson. “The finality of the end is here. But what tempers it are the memories. I still want to compete. I still want to hit shots that mean something. It’s not a ceremony at all. I’m out here to compete.”
Tom Watson has won five times at the British Open, in different locations: 1975- Carnoustie, 1977- Turnberry, 1980- Muirfield, 1982- Royal Troon, and 1983- Birkdale.
In 2009, he almost pulled a win for the ages that may have rivaled the great Jack Nicklaus’ 1986 win at the Masters at age 49. Tom Watson would have bested that feat by 13 years, and nearly pulled off the unthinkable. The site of his second Open Championship would not have been scripted any better. If you watched it, then mostly likely you were pulling for him to do it one more time.
It will be an emotional time for everyone associated with the game of golf. His final walk over the historic Swilkin bridge, a piece of the mystic of St. Andrews has been witness to so many moments in golf. The King Arnold Palmer bid farewell in 1995, the Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus took one last crossing in 2005. Now, it’s Tom Watson’s turn. As a fan, we hope that will be on Sunday for all to see.
We wish you the best of luck and will look for you this weekend, Mr. Watson!
1) The European Way
With the third major being held in Europe, American viewers will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of what life is like.
If you are not fortunate to travel overseas or have the Golf Channel or ESPN in your cable package, you may not have an inkling as to how life is across the pond.
However, the third and final rounds will be broadcasted nationally on ABC. Viewers will be able to get peaks of the landscape, the people, and their culture.
Of course, tv won’t do it enough justice. However, it still fun to watch and get to know our far-distant neighbors.