Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Wide Open

The beginning of June is what I like to call the championship stretch in the sports world. The Belmont, the NHL finals, and the NBA finals all coincide, giving fans a plethora of options for viewing pleasure.

This past weekend, however, I was watching yet another championship: the US Open. Sure, golf isn't as fast-paced as a hockey or basketball game, or shoot...even a thoroughbred race, but it requires a logical mind that appeals to the accountant in me.

Also? You don't have to run. That appeals to the lazy in me.

This year, several storylines seemed to emerge from the Open. Would Tiger Woods surmount a comeback to the top of the golf world? Would young buck and amateur golfer Beau Hossler take the competition? Would this be the year that Lee Westwood finally earned a major title, or would an old hat like Jim Furyk win another?

Turns out, the answer to all of those was no. Tiger, who started out so strong at the beginning of the week, had a disappointing third and fourth rounds, finishing at 7+. Also finishing at 7+ was Jordan Speith, who beat out Hossler as low amateur. For his part, Hossler ended the final round with a double bogey.

And though they came close, both Lee Westwood and Jim Furyk walked away sans title. Westwood's run ended with a disastrous drive on the 5th tee, when he treed his shot. Furyk, on the other hand, was a part of the final pair but couldn't put together a sufficient enough round to close on the eventual winner...




Webb Simpson, who was sitting in the clubhouse as the 2012 Open came to an end. Webb finished up 1+ and managed to underdog out the competition. Only fitting, considering The Olympic Club is known as the "Graveyard of Champions".

So while it may not have been the most exciting tournament, or the most memorable, for 25 year old Simpson it will be his storyline that shined brightest during this June championship season.

Image provided by huffingtonpost.

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