Tag: Graeme McDowell

Something is missing in the Playoffs.

I know the playoffs are here, and I know I should be extra excited, but I am not.

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There is something missing and I know what it is—the greatest players in the world, who for the most part are already very wealthy –  are just chasing money.  I get pumped up when they are chasing majors, playing on historical courses, and chasing the sport’s iconic records, but  none of that exists here.  No offense, especially for Liberty National, but it is not historical in any way or fashion.  It is just another golf course.

In addition, when you can not only miss the cut but not even play in the event and still advance something is amiss.  Both of these occurred this week. Zach Johnson and Steve Stricker passed on the event for good reasons, but they still passed knowing that their carryover points were more than enough for them to advance. Many players missed the cut and they also will advance to the Deutche Bank.  Including Ernie Els, Graeme Mc Dowell, Dustin Johnson and Lee Westwood to mention only a few.  They should be bid a fond farewell—see you next year.  But they indeed will play next week.

I have the solution—everyone starts from scratch—zero points carryover from the regular season. The pressure would be fantastic—single elimination—I would be glued on every shot.  That would be a true playoff system and would be so compelling.  That way a true playoff champion would be crowned.

It is Open Championship Week

British Open week ( I still like to call it the British Open although the name was officially changed to The Open Championship in 2011, o.k. I succumb, it’s simply The Open).

The year’s 3rd major is here and it is being contested at one of the world’s greatest golf courses—the venerable Muirfield Golf Links in Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland.  This will be the 16th time The Open Championship has been played at Muirfield and it promises to produce a truly superior major champion.  The past champions at Muirfield is a virtual golf’s who’s who—including H.H. Hilton, Harry Vardon, James Braid, Ted Ray, Walter Hagen, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo and  the last time the Open championship was contested at Muirfield Ernie Els in 2002.

I look for some of the same this week—primed and ready is Phil Mickelson fast coming off his victory last week at the Scottish Open, a rested Tiger Woods, Masters Champ Adam Scott, and the rest of the world’s greats a list too long to complete here but the cast of characters is formidable. I do not foresee a relative unknown winning here at Muirfield—the winner will not only have to control his nerves but also the many types of differing shots required to conquer Muirfield.—no I indeed believe the winner will be a man who has already won a major championship.

Muirfield requires the golfer to be able to play right to left, left to right, high shots, low shots against the wind, with the wind, across the wind you name it and Muirfield requires it!  The front nine goes in a clockwise direction and the incoming nine goes in a counter clockwise direction making the shots completely different. The winner will truly be the Champion Golfer for the year 2013!

You may recall I did pick Justin Rose to win the U.S .Open at Merion last month so here goes on my 3 picks to take home the Claret Jug:

Charl Schwartzel, Phil Mickelson and Graeme McDowell.  All past major champions and all primed to win the world’s oldest tournament dating back to 1860 atPrestwickwon by the great Willie Park Sr.

I can’t wait until Thursday morning when the distinctive voice of the legendary starter Ivor Robson announces the names of the players on hole number 1 and the contest is on.