Instant Karma’s gonna get you/ Gonna look you right in the face.
Early on in the final round of the British Open, Phil Mickelson, hit a less than stellar approach shot from the fairway. Obviously distraught, he mumbled to himself and his long-time caddy Bones, “That one’s on me. I blew the shot.” (Or something to that effect.)
He went on to play “the best round of golf I’ve ever played.”
He shot a 66, birdied four of the last six holes, including the 72d.
He won his third different major championship. (To go along with 126 second place finishes in the US Open.)
He is self effacing. Apparently a legitimately decent family man. And, with the title still to be secured, he fist bumped fans along the path to the final hole. Which, as I said, he birdied — two extraordinary three woods and an immaculate putt.
Golf is one of the few sports where fans tend, for some odd reason, to root for the favorites, more than underdogs. We’re happier for Lefty than we are sad for Lee Westwood, who has more top 5 major finishes without a victory than anybody ever.
Which brings me to He Who Was Once Upon A Time The Annointed. The once and not forever King: Tiger Woods.
He too hit a less than stellar shot early in the round, when he was still within shouting distance of the lead.
ESPN’s microphones caught the ever petulant Woods in full Tiger mode. “God damn it,” he exclaimed while banging his club against Muirfield’s hard turf.
And so, Tiger folded yet again in a major. He’s never come from behind in one for victory. His record remains intact.
Instant Karma’s gonna get you/ Gonna knock you right in the head.
* * * * *
A year ago, Chris Froome was a domestique for Bradley Wiggins, who was the first Brit to win the sporstdom’s foremost endurance competition, the Tour de France.
Even though he was the set up guy for Wiggins, he won a stage and finished second overall.
This year the deal is his. Riding for Team Sky, far from the best, but getting enough support and ready for his time on the top rung of the podium, Froome prevailed. (Actually that should be future tense. As I write, the ceremonial run into Paris on the race’s final day is still underway.)
Froome was born in Kenya. He was raised in South Africa. And he lives in Monaco. But, as such things come about, he rides as a Brit. Making it, two in a row for the boys across the channel.
I don’t know enough about big time bicycle racing to offer much more insight. What I know is Froome never faltered. He was tough in the Alps. He was tough in the time trials.
He’s a deserving champ. He swears he’s clean, free from PEDs.
His was a stunning performance in one of the most arduous Tours ever.
– Seedy K
