T1B

Shoalzie wrote:The talking heads get a boner at the idea of improbable things happening so it gives them something to gush over. As a regular schlub sitting in my recliner and sipping coffee...I just like watching things develop before my eyes and not know how it's going to turn out. All you'd ever want is something entertaining to watch for the next few hours...don't really care how it turns out. I don't know these people personally so you can't really pick favorites. The ideal finish is seeing the old man win it but seeing a kid like Wood win wouldn't bad either...just as improbable of a winner.

they've got to pump up whatever is happening to keep the post-Tiger fans interest so the ratings won't take a big hit with Eldrick on the bench....because low ratings mean they can't sell the ads for the same dollars to the RBS and AIG's of the world. Watson is a great consolation for them in that sense....that's a narrative they can "sell".

Fuck it, at the sake of getting piled on, I'll just say it. How could this be considered the greatest sports achievement ever? So much of the game comes down to putting, chipping, and short iron shots; the mental aspects of the game -- so to be young and athletic isn't as nearly as important as being skilled and experienced in those situations. To me, a young gun winning the B.O. who just joined the tour and hasn't won anything significant in his entire life is a bigger accomplishment than a guy like Watson winning, who's been there before and knows what it takes. Plus he's in pretty good shape, and not just for his age. He's not wobbling around like some decrepid geezer. Hell, I'd be more impressed if Daly won this thing.

This would be huge for golf, and a great accomplishment, but greatest achievement EVER? Get real.

What's too bad is that you can't just have anyone win a tournament...they need to be a big name or have a story. I'm sure NBC groaned at the idea of a guy like Glover winning the US Open and not Phil or Duval. I like watching Tiger when he's at his best but sometimes it's nice to not see him in the chase and you can appreciate the play of other guys. All these players are better than I'll ever dream to be...I can give two shits who wins, I just like watching good golf.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:Fuck it, at the sake of getting piled on, I'll just say it. How could this be considered the greatest sports achievement ever?

The guy is pushing 60 years of age. I think when we all get to that age we'll understand it a bit better. There is no way he can hit the ball farther than the players he is contending with. Yes, he has to rely on his putting stroke and he is very good from long range (as evident by what he has done so far in this tournament) and he is weak close to the pin.

He has the obvious experience factor over anyone and he has to use when you see guys like Westwood and Goggin out drive him considerably when they pull out the driver.

Another product of the experience and knowledge of the course...he's avoided the bad mistake. He's not going to try to play beyond what he's capable. He's going to win playing the way he knows how to. I think playing within yourself and making smart decisions wins a tournament like this. The guy looks unflappable and hasn't shown any panic or frustration. I really don't see him fading in these final holes...he's right where he'd like to be. The other guys are going to have to match his composure.

MuchoBulls wrote:I think when we all get to that age we'll understand it a bit better.

I don't need to get to that age to understand what he's doing.

Hell, I'll be happy if I'm still standing at 59, much less competing for a major championship.

There's really no way to overstate what he's accomplished thus far, even if he comes up short. He's already re-written the history books of an ancient sport. 30 years from now, people will be talking about what Tom Watson did at Turnberry in 2009. Just enjoy and appreciate it for what it is. An extraordinary, remarkable event.

Mgoo,

You're a dumb ass. If all it took was good putting and steel nerves, we'd have countless guys in their fifties winning big.

But, we don't. In fact we have zero. And Tom is not only in his fitties, he is a cunt hair away from being in his sixties.

Yeah, it is more likely at the Open since, being mistake free is more important than being long, but, the place ain't exactly short.

This surpasses any aged dude getting over or any other type of upset. I will grant you that it is pretty much an impossibility in most other sports. Lance being in the thick of things at 37 is pretty amazing, but, I think everyone will agree that there is absolutely zero chance he'll be there at 47. The difference is, Lance isn't 47. Tom is fifty fukking nine. 11 years older than the next old ass major winner (I think).

at this point, there's only about 4 guys who can win this. Cink just got himself in that group. maybe Goosen if he makes eagle at 17.

tough miss for Tom. fuck.

Westwood just went in the trap at 15. Plenty of golf left.

MuchoBulls wrote:The guy is pushing 60 years of age. I think when we all get to that age we'll understand it a bit better. There is no way he can hit the ball farther than the players he is contending with. Yes, he has to rely on his putting stroke and he is very good from long range (as evident by what he has done so far in this tournament) and he is weak close to the pin.

He has the obvious experience factor over anyone and he has to use when you see guys like Westwood and Goggin out drive him considerably when they pull out the driver.

I agree with all of this. I just don't think I'm devaluing this achievement by simply stating it's NOT the greatest accomplishment in the history of sports. Think about that statement -- that's a pretty fucking lofty thing to say. I wouldn't be prepared to say such a thing without giving it some serious thought, and even a bit of research.

Nice shot by Watson on 15. Now make the putt.

Watson back in the lead and in the fairway on 16.

With each hole, Wood's -1 looks pretty good right now...Tom with the lead (for now?)

Shoalzie wrote:With each hole, Wood's -1 looks pretty good right now...Tom with the lead (for now?)

You'd have to figure that Westwood should make a birdie at 17 and so should Watson.

MuchoBulls wrote:

Shoalzie wrote:With each hole, Wood's -1 looks pretty good right now...Tom with the lead (for now?)

You'd have to figure that Westwood should make a birdie at 17 and so should Watson.

Not after that tee shot...

Shoalzie wrote:With each hole, Wood's -1 looks pretty good right now...Tom with the lead (for now?)

that's a helluva shot he just hit on 16. that "burn" is about the equiv of a 45 yard pond as a hazard. it feeds into that bitch from 20 yards going either way. and it's about 25 feet deep and very steep. look at the bridge when they show the next overhead shot. it's tiny. that thing is a canyon.

two puts here and 17 the par 5 to play.

What the hell is Westwood trying to do? he could have hit a lesser club off of the tee and still made the green in 2.

Cink has a good chance to make birdie at 18.

Toom has them right where he wants them, and the Clarett jug by the throat. While everybody else is busy choking he's just going about the business of not beating himself.

Watson with big Par on 16. A birdie on 17 all but gives him the win.

Shoalzie wrote:

MuchoBulls wrote:

Shoalzie wrote:With each hole, Wood's -1 looks pretty good right now...Tom with the lead (for now?)

You'd have to figure that Westwood should make a birdie at 17 and so should Watson.

Not after that tee shot...

You were saying??

nice little dynamic here...Watson hit a 3 wood or D off 17 tee (?) while CInk with a birdie attempt to tie. a lot could turn here.

Westwood a chance to post a red number here, too.

Westwood will make no less than birdie. Watson is in good position to make birdie as well. Money putt by Cink, but will it be enough?

MuchoBulls wrote:You were saying??

Helluva shot...Westwood joins the lead pack at -2.

Tough miss by Westwood.

Memo to Judy Rankin; a "perfect looking putt" goes in the hole.

Very good shot by Watson. He should get up and down from there.

TW hit that right at it. wow.

Adios Westwood!!

Watson makes the birdie and has a 1 shot lead on 18. AWESOME!!

Westwood another great shot after a bad tee shot...still Tom's tourney to lose. Hit it straight and it's all his...

MuchoBulls wrote:Tough miss by Westwood.

Memo to Judy Rankin; a "perfect looking putt" goes in the hole.

Almost.

A perfect putt goes in. Sometimes a shitty looking put goes in. A perfect looking put can still fukk you. Pretty much the theme throughout golf and why I love/hate it so much.

Watson in the short stuff. Westwood misses. Bring it home Tom.

Anyone on the planet other than the dude a stroke back, not rooting for tom, is a fukking asshole.

go tooooooooom.

is there a live interweb feed?

fukk working sundays. :x

That is going to be a tough up and down from there.

oh no. but, like 17, that was about 1 foot off-line.

Par is going to be a tricky score for Watson...Cink better stay loose.

what!!!!

gimme a play by play here, you fukks!!!!

smackaholic wrote:is there a live interweb feed?

fukk working sundays. :x

UK radio here.

http://www.opengolf.com/ChampionshipGol ... nship.aspx