The classic St Andrews Open was the lid on golf’s pressure cooker – a thrilling championship that sought to distract from an unprecedented power struggle for the conduct of the game.
But Cameron Smith turned up the heat, not only with sparkling golf that brought the Aussie his first major title, but also because of his unwillingness to defy rumors he is about to move on to the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
What a coup it would be for Greg Norman’s Saudi-funded team if they tempt the new world number two, who also won this year’s Players Championship, the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament.
Simply stating that his “team deals with that kind of stuff,” Smith offered no solace to the embattled bosses of golf’s status quo. The 28-year-old has become the sport’s hottest property and fellow Australian Norman is surely lining up a huge bid.
Throughout the week of the 150th Open, rumors have surrounded the Old Course. Several leading names have been linked with involvement in Norman’s lucrative breakout series.
The Open concludes the men’s major season; Punctuation Mark. The PGA and DP World Tours should fear what is next to go down in sporting history.
The future of events such as the Ryder Cup is uncertain and European captain Henrik Stenson is rumored to be among the next to receive the Saudi millions.
“Continuing speculation,” is how the European tour described the rumours, but Stenson has had plenty of opportunities to pledge allegiance to the role she only signed up for last March. He remained silent when his continent needed him the most.
How different might the landscape of men’s professional golf look by the time Smith defends the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool next year? How distant will the memories of last week’s Old Course epic seem?
The champion treated us to a brilliant performance to hold off Cameron Young and overcome Rory McIlroy, for whom this Open provided another bitterly disappointing result.
Last Sunday was not the day for the Northern Irishman to leave his patter in the fridge. Unable to hit any of the 18 greens left him vulnerable despite an intelligent game plan, efficiently and calmly executed.
McIlroy went into just two bunkers all week and holed out of one. He hit every green in regulation on the final day, playing with a calm sense of purpose that suggested he would end his eight-year hiatus in the majors.
But his failure to convert birdie chances on the 12th and 14th holes proved decisive. Yes, he had dispatched Victor Hovland, who looked the main threat early in the game with Ryder Cup teammates locked together, four out. But he was powerless to do anything about the attacking Australian.
On the 15th, McIlroy took a long look at the leaderboard. That confirmed Smith was ahead by one and the man who had led him by three at the turn then stared desperately down the 16th fairway to watch the new leader hit his next approach.
It must have been a sickening sound as the galleries cheered the arrival of Smith’s ball on the green. McIlroy could feel the marquee slipping despite his own vociferous support.
St Andrews is not the most atmospheric outdoor venue. Crowds are confined to the outer perimeter and the best views come from the stands, especially around the circle from the seventh to the 11th holes.
But a record attendance of 290,000 ensured the 150th edition never lacked a sense of occasion commensurate with its historical significance.
Anything but. It was a fantastic sight.
And what about the Old Course itself? Fears that it would be overtaken by today’s golfers were largely unfounded because the fast, hard conditions still presented a harsh test.
Twenty under par was a record-tying winning score, but par is a notional figure and 72 for the Old Course is generous. Depending on the wind, the ninth, 10th, 12th and 18th can play as long par three holes.
But with a wind switch, they become difficult for four holes, as reflected on the scorecard. Either way, the course still requires strategy, strength and precision. Smith excelled in all departments, especially with his wedges, to bounce back from Saturday’s potentially devastating 73.
Where the old course failed in a modern setting was its inability to allow 156 riders to lap in time. Failing to finish the first round by 22:00 after starting the day at 06:35 is ridiculous.
But it’s an inevitable malaise with two par fives available in two, manageable par four holes, shared greens and fairways, and holes like the seventh intersecting the 11th.
It may be heresy, but from an outdoor perspective it is not fit for purpose for the first two days. Rounds last more than six hours, with the longest holes taking 40 minutes to complete, compromising the spectacle.
As several observers noted during the endless rounds on Thursday and Friday, “LIV should be laughing their heads off.” They play just 54 holes with 48 players, no break and shotgun start.
It’s a different take on the game and a pale shadow of the tried-and-true methods of determining men’s golf hierarchy. But LIV is here and it won’t go away.
Their third tournament is next week at Donald Trump’s home in Bedminster, New Jersey. It won’t be a quiet week and there could be new additions.
LIV turn the heat up to max. Their influence remains the big talking point despite a magnificent Open at the home of golf.
The pressure cooker may be about to explode. It’s anyone’s guess how the resulting mess might bring back a sense of order.
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