Golf News – 2011 British Open Royal Saint George’s Final Day Report

Day four and the final day of the 2011 British Open from the Royal Saint George’s Golf Course in Sandwich Kent has came to a satisfying climax. The day started with the course shrouded in patchy clouds containing squally showers, another familiar factor from the first 3 days also made a return this was the wind. Promising very challenging conditions our players made their way out onto the course, with many pundits believing that it could be anyone’s tournament who would make their move.

Early on whilst we awaited the final pairing of Darren Clarke and Dustin Johnson many golfers were already braving the conditions, although many of the early pairings struggled to improve on their rankings amongst these players were early potential champions amateur Tom Lewis and his namesake Tom Watson.

After leading the leader board on the first day Tom Lewis the local 20 year old amateur never quite managed to improve on his opening day round of 65 shots which was 5 under par on the par 70 course. Tom however did not lose out to much when all was said and done he finished the 4 days +9 over par meaning he won the Amateur silver medal, his closest amateur competitor was Peter Uihlein who finished on +12 for the tournament. Tom Lewis’s outstanding performance has left many asking the young Englishman when will he turn pro, his answer was that he wanted to play in this years Walker cup first before considering his options. From all of us a Real Sporting News well done Tom we will be anticipating your promising future.

Again even before all the players were out on the course another fan favorite was making a charge on the lead, that’s right Sergio Garcia who started the day at +4 made a great start to the day by scoring 4 birdies in the first 7 holes putting his overall score at even par. Then unfortunately a double bogey on the 8th put an end to his challenge, nonetheless Sergio still managed to finish +2 for the weekend after scoring a 2 under par 68, therefore finishing in Joint 9th place so he will be back next year.

So then let’s get to the business end of things, by the time the final pairing of Darren Clarke and Dustin Johnson made it out onto the course Sergio’s run had effectively been finished. Which then left the initial front runners to fight it out for the title, Darren Clarke made a solid start and chalked up a Birdie on the 3rd moving his weekend score to 6 under. Meanwhile none other than Phil Mickelson had began his assault on the title, Mickelson began the day on even par after the first 3 rounds. After 10 holes Mickelson had drew level with Clarke on 6 under and the championship lay in the balance.

As things turned out the birdie Mickelson Posted on the 10th was his last of the day, sadly he then posted a further 4 Bogeys on the final 8 holes leaving him on a score of 68 for the day and 2 under par for the tournament.

So attention now turns to the final pairing of Darren Clarke and Dustin Johnson. Well Dustin Johnson started the day on 4 under par one shot off the lead and whilst Mickelson launched his challenge on Darren Clarke’s lead Johnson struggled to get started and posted 2 Bogeys in the first 6 holes without any birdies. However Johnson then between the 7th and 13th he posted nothing worse than a par and bagged 3 Birdies along the way putting him back to 5 under par for the tournament as he stepped out onto the 14th Tee. Meanwhile Darren Clarke mainly due to his Eagle on the 7th stepped out on the 14th 2 shots clear on 7 under par for the tournament. Well what happened on the 14th hole pretty much decided the tournament with Johnson hitting his 2nd shot out of bounds and ended up scoring a double bogey. So with Mickelson one hole ahead and having just bogey’d the 15th putting him on -4 but 3 shots behind the championship really was Darren Clarke’s to lose.

So when Clarke Bogey’d the 17th and 18th he still maintained his lead to clinch his first Major Championship after 20 attempts, no other professional has had as many chances to win a major without winning. Clarke received the famous Claret Jug and thanked all his coaches and family for their support, he even thanked the crowd for their humility and support throughout the tournament. Clarke is such a fitting champion and his performance was nothing but outstanding and thoroughly deserved, I really hope this spurs him onto a greater vain of form.

 

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