Now that Americans have discovered soccer, have we abandoned golf? Or is it that our lads see little joy in visiting a land where the beer is chilled only when served at room temperature?
Whatever the cause, a number of Yankees have opted to stay home rather than participate in the 123rd British Open starting Thursday at Turnberry. This still happens to be one of the sport’s four major events, even when it rains sideways.
“Winning is what it’s supposed to be all about,” said Tom Kite, “and you can’t win if you don’t enter. There are only so many of these in your career, and you aren’t going to win by correspondence.”
Though 45 of the top 50 players in the world rankings are here, the notable absentees are from the United States. Paul Azinger, who only wishes he didn’t need a note from his doctor, is being treated for cancer in his shoulder and hopes to begin his season next month. Fred Couples, bothered by back problems, complained of an ailing wrist after the Western Open a couples weeks ago. Hale Irwin is down with tendinitis.
Raymond Floyd, who also passed on the U.S. Open, obviously is settling into life after 50 on the U.S. Senior Tour, and Lanny Wadkins is neither healthy nor particularly encouraged by his game. The most surprising absentee is Curtis Strange, who withdrew Friday for a family vacation at the beach. The revived Strange finished only a stroke out of a U.S. Open playoff, but he’s never been much of a mudder over here.
This depleted traveling squad merely nourishes the European notion that the pampered Americans aren’t much good playing outside of Palm Springs. Since Tom Watson’s reign ceased, only Mark Calcavecchia’s 1989 conquest at Royal Troon has averted a decade of doldrums for the U.S.
Now, he’s sounding homesick. When Calcavecchia checked his rate at the stately Turnberry Hotel, he pined for caddy Ryne Sandberg’s free lodging while they worked the Western. Howled Calcavecchia: “At $1,500 a day, I feel like I’m getting ripped off. They’re taking me to the cleaners, and then billing me for laundry, too.”
It should be noted that the facility housing certain American media members could be bought, in its entirety and including the parking lot, for $1,500. You’ve heard of bed and breakfast? This one offers bed or breakfast. They’re both cold, and the breakfast is bigger. Otherwise, all is well in Scotland, a delightful country that invented golf and whiskey, probably in that order.
Oddsmakers figure Americans will leave more money than they take back to the World Cup mecca. No Yankee golfer is rated at better than 33-1 to win. Corey Pavin, Tom Lehman, Phil Mickelson and Kite are in that group. The 9-1 favorite is defending champion Greg Norman, who won his first British Open here in 1986. Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo are 12-1. Ernie Els, Jose Maria Olazabal and Nick Price are 14-1.
The best long shot at 50-1 might be Tom Watson, whose 72-hole duel with Jack Nicklaus during the 1977 British Open at Turnberry belongs among golf’s most memorable match races. They each shot rounds of 68-70 and were paired for the third round, when they both posted 65s. On the last day, Watson’s 65 beat Nicklaus’ 66 while Hubert Green took third, a remarkable 11 strokes back.
Watson and Nicklaus really were partners Wednesday in thrashing Price-Norman for practice and pride. Turnberry was soft, and still the fogies combined to shoot 10-under par, and Price came away slightly poorer but dazzled. Watson, he warned, dropped everything from everywhere.
More Top Picks Best Sleep Position For Heart Health
The putter has been torturing Watson, but he recently toured Ireland with Lee Trevino and their wives. The couples played alternate shot games, thoroughly enjoying the respite, but at Ballybunion, Trevino paused to discuss business.
“Lee gave me a tip,” Watson said. “We shall see.”