The 150th Open Championship

The 150th Open Championship has just finished and it has been another exciting competition, which I admit is not a word that many would choose to describe golf. For those who understand and adore this sport though, and many do, it was a treat.

St. Andrews is a course steeped in history and holds the claim of being the oldest golf course in the world. Some have criticised it for being too easy for a major course, the R&A, however, clearly disagree and use it every five years for the competition. A lush green, tree lined course with quiet, calm water hazards this place is not. It is a rugged, wind ravaged Scottish brute, causing as much trouble to first time tourists as the country's infamous bagpipes.

Another Scottish characteristic was to feature heavily this year, torrid weather. The players fought against lashing rain and powerful winds, so much so that at one point play had to be stopped. Those who were lucky enough to finish their rounds before the worst of it had begun posted the best scores on that day. The weather affected one man more than others. Rory McIloy, who had received a late surge in the betting, squandered his first round lead and Justin Rose, who had started very well, dropped away all together and failed to make the cut. One man worked with the weather though and emerged from the storm as the leader. Louis Oosthuizen, a previously unknown name to all but the most dedicated of fans, posted a score of 12 under for the championship and waltzed into the 3rd round.

Many of the big names failed to really prove themselves. Players such as Phil Micklesen and Ernie Els both left a lot to be desired in their games and although the name on every one's lips, Tiger Woods, looked good at first he soon fell dropping shots mainly through his poor putting.

When Oosthuizen checked over his shoulder to observe the following pack he would have noticed the British talent were hot on his heels. Paul Casey was paired with him for the final round and seemingly had the best chance to catch the South African before he reached the clubhouse. Lee Westwood, England's in form golfer at the moment, played some good golf on the back nine to push himself up to second after Casey bogeyed the fifteenth. McIlroy, after his disappointment on Friday, was able to make a late surge to tie third place with Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey. Despite this British resilience, Oosthuizen managed to hold his nerve and after he eagled the ninth, he looked certain to take the Claret Jug.

This year some lessons have been learnt. Woods will not be changing his putter again anytime soon, in fact he was so disillusioned with his new Nike Method putter he referred back to his old Scotty Cameron Newport 2 for the final round. John Daly, who brought four pairs of 'lucky' trousers, all adorned with garish patterns, will have to go shopping in search of something to bring him a bit more luck. He started well but found himself falling off by the end of the third round. Finally, my outside bet Chris Wood lived up to his underdog status and missed the cut which was a shame especially as I had a fiver riding on his success.

At the end of the tournament, Oosthuizen most definitely deserved to take the jug. He had played exceedingly well over all four days, a consistency unmatched by anyone else. Let us not forget the British though. Casey, Westwood and McIlroy will all take some confidence to USPGA Championship in four weeks. Next year the tournament moves south side of the border and to the garden of England, The Royal St. Georges in Kent.