BLOGS

The coverage has recently finished on the BBC over here in Britain. My goodness was that not just a fantastic day of 'links golf' from a tough golf course with EXTREME WIND that just added to the delight of the armchair spectator.

The extraordinary performance from, the great golfing god of the 1980's Greg Norman, has been an absolute delight to watch and especially on this third day when many commentators thought that his resolve may fizzle away. I could not agree with that view and have been vindicated with his round of 72, only 2 over par, that he produced today...leading the Open by 2 shots going into the final round. Truly wonderful stuff from the majestic 53 year old Norman.

I hope that you guys in the USA are enjoying the coverage (should be the BBC pictures) and are getting a taste of the 'delights' that await you on your arrival in Britain to play the legendary links golf courses! The wind strength on the coast is not that unusual though the strength of it on continuous days could be argued to be rather extreme. At St. Andrews we experience this 20-30mph wind strength a couple of days every week and really do begin to find the excuses the TV commentators make on behalf of these pampered professional golfers rather wearing...they are meant to be adult golfers, playing in the Open Championship, on the coast of Britain! It is going to be windy!

Good things to come out of this competition so far, outwith Greg Norman, has been the delightful and happy performance of Rocco Mediate...a guy enjoying the golf and the world around. A pleasure to listen to when being interviewed and also to watch on the course with that big beaming smile. Great stuff.

The last day...who is going to prevail? I, and I suspect the golfing world, would love to see the Shark continue his exemplary play around Royal Birkdale and win his third Open Championship. My father and I watched him at Turnberry back in 1986 win his first Open..his round on the second day was the most exciting golf I have ever seen...what he is producing now is equal to it because of his seniority and the conditions it is being played in.

I would not discount Padriag Harrington, the defending Champion, who really does not want to relinquish his title and also KJ Choi who has been so good this week. Watch out for a player that can throw in a 66 / 67 from the pack and get in the clubhouse as leader. Poulter, Garcia are the obvious contenders but some really good golfers like Allenby are ready to post that kind of score.

A small note to finish on is that the young Englishman David Horsey, that I caddied for last year in the St. Andrews Links Trophy...we finished 6th and he went on to play in the Walker Cup, qualified for the 3rd day and was playing with Zach Johnson last year's Masters Champion. A shame I never got the phone call!!??? Really pleased for David who has had a great season on the Challenge Tour winning two titles this year and is currently leading the money list.

I hope the golf on the fourth day of the Open is as exciting and rivetting viewing as these three days have been. Good luck to them all.