I’ve been a satellite radio subscriber almost from inception and among the many pleasures I continue to get from it is the live golf coverage. While you aren’t able to enjoy the vivid colors of a game played on a visually-appealing field of play, I’m drawn to the tone and detail from those practicing the craft of describing golf shots on radio. The clip below is broadcaster Doug Bell calling Justin Rose’s tee shot off the 511-yard, par-four 18th last Sunday at the US Open.
It was that beautiful drive on the final hole that helped seal Rose’s first major win. The only thing missing on the radio call of that shot is the sound of club hitting golf ball.
Up a shot on Lefty, Rose made par on a hole that was the toughest on the course. Not a single player in the field made birdie on 18 either Saturday or Sunday. It played to a 4.71 stroke average for the tournament.
Phil (playing in the final twosome) needed bird to force a playoff on that hole. When Phil pulled a three wood from a bag of clubs that had five wedges and no driver, his only hope of tying Rose was a blast that landed on the fairway. But as has been Phil’s tendency off the tee in big spots, the shot got away from him into the rough. The lie was decent but he was left of the hole and had to fade it around a low-hanging branch and then hope for a miracle from 30 yards in front of the green. It didn’t happen and the birthday boy finished second best at the US Open for an incredible sixth time in his career. Yeah, he has three green jackets but he’s still a maiden at the second most important major for American golfers.
I’m all for an extreme level of difficulty at the US Open. That’s been tradition but I believe you need a closing hole that allows players to make birdies. I worked Sunday but I listened to the replay of the final two hours of radio coverage before I went to bed early Monday morning. I already knew the outcome by that point but to hear the voices of Bell, Curtis Strange, Bob Wischusen and Bill Kratzert describe it filled gaps in ways that made it as fun as watching the tape.
I think if you took a poll of all professional golfers, the vast majority of them would prefer the Masters over the US Open if they were to win one major championship. JT touched on the mystique of the event. Because of the layout, especially of the back nine, it is almost always the most dramatic Major. However, to Dan’s point, the US Open features a much deeper field than the Masters, (as do the other two Major Championships). Also, the US Open seems to test a golfer’s mettle like no other venue. How often do you see contenders succombing to mental exhaustion late in a US Open and racking up bogeys and worse in the closing holes? Overall, it’s debatable. The United States has a love affair with the Masters. Hey, if you were to poll Eurogolfers only, the majority might say The Open Championship is the most important Major. Food for thought!
I appreciate your position Dan but I’ve had several debates with serious golf fans about importance of Green Jacket vs. US Open win and I’ve had several people tell me it’s a close call. Something about the mystique of winning Augusta makes it a touch more special.
the u.s. open (our national championship) is by far the most important win for any american player. not even close.