There's times that I even think that it is my favorite of all the majors in golf,although in the end the Masters barely hangs onto the top spot.
And this comes from a guy that says if we ever plant more trees (and we have some that I'd like to remove),they have to be Magnolia trees to represent the Masters!
I like links golf and even though I wasn't really a fan of the style at Chambers Bay for the U.S.Open,I really enjoy the version in the U.K..
I have more than a few reasons for liking the British so much,so here are they are!
I get to watch most of the tournament at work!
The difference is starting time and it comes on the air at either 3 or 4 AM and I am able to watch the tournament from start to finish,which is something that I cannot say about any of the three American based majors.
The Courses!
The greens and fairways aren't the perfectly trimmed with brilliant green coloring as in America.
Rather,it is a clunky mix of dirty yellow,crispy brown and some off green tossed in for color.
It's different and once a year-it's golf!
The Bounces
The ball can't be counted on to do anything until they slow to crawling speed.
No matter where the ball hits,there is no guarantee it's final destination.
The humps and bumps make it far more random at the British than the other majors.
The Weather
Cold,damp and often rainy-the British features more sweaters and overcoats in July than lightweight golf shirts and the winds can often lift an odd player to the victory circle.
The Bunkers
Huge and deep,the bunkers in the British can determine a winner (or more often a loser) should a ball find its way into one.
Unlike their thinner American counterparts,the British Open truly can be a determent instead of a mere chipping contest...
The Players
Because this is an European event,it's almost like watching major league baseball when a prospect comes up from AAA.
Every year,the British has a contender (and sometime winner) that you have barely heard of and many times it is the first glimpse of a star...
And finally two honorable mentions.
The fuzzy satellite look that European events always seem to have on television,although that gets better by the year.
The squeaky high pitched voice of the fellow that introduces the starters and then with the winner as
"Champion Golfer of the Year"...
Both neat items that set the mood for the British Open.
Enjoy the tournament!!!!
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