And so this is my first post to the blogging universe, hope you enjoy it. What we learned today. Sport gives and take it away just as easy. Paul Dunne was joint leader of the British Open yesterday, the main talking point of the tournament but today the sporting gods did not shine on the Greystones golfer and a tied thirty place is not an accurate reflection of his efforts for the week.
The Silver medal which looked a certainty to belong to Dunne last night evaporated down the back nine as USA amateur Niebrugge performed magnificently to win the accolade on -12. Dunne will have learned more today than he has in his entire golf career today. The pressure of leading a major, the crowds and the media spotlight can only help Dunne in his golfing career going forward. He has caught the eye of numerous professional golfing coaches this week and Dunne has a massive future in the professional game.
Zac Johnson deserved this triumph, his short game was nothing short of sensational today and his putt on eighteen to go -15 was worthy of winning the tournament outright. His short game continued to impress in the playoff as Leishman faded early and Oosthuizen the sole challenger to the Iowa native not capitalizing on some excellent iron approach play. Zac Johnson, a humble guy who knows first hand the struggles to get to the top of the summit (challenger events, staying in camper vans, the unfashionable side of the sport, he has done it). It is a great story and Johnson was quick to point out that his legacy is his kids and family and not golf – speaks volumes of the man.
Great tournament and Peter Alliss was at his legendary best in BBC commentary throughout the weekend. A glorious late Monday evening of television topped off seeing the prankster at the FIFA conference. Blatter calling ‘security’ before the money windfall was comedy gold. The defining image of Blatter’s reign was captured.