Anyone with even a passing interest in golf and the knowledge of a scissors-wielding people known as Barbers that cut hair will have heard of Australia's latest favorite son, Cameron Smith or just Cam. He may look like an extra from Trailer Park Boys, but the little man from Brisbane could not give a sideways shite what you, me or anyone else thinks of his haircut!
The 28 year old maestro has just played his way to the title of Open champion🏆
He did it in serious style too. Many thought his race was run, after giving up a second round lead, he shot +1 leaving him playing catchup with McIlroy, Young and Hovland. His front nine, though solid, looked like paving the way to a top ten finish, but little more.
Cam had other ideas and as he started his back nine he probably hoped for a few early birdies, maybe 2 from 4, I'm sure he'd have taken that, but no Cam had more in his locker. The best putter in the world bar none, showed why he has that reputation, as he rolled in birdies at 10 and 11. Was he finished? No chance, he was only getting started. His putt on 12 found the back of the cup for 3 in a row! Surely he couldn't find another?
Yes, Cam was soaring high above St. Andrews hallowed turf, like an native Indian watching from on high. He had just birdied 10, 11, 12 and 13. Sure, what's one more? The man who could do no wrong drained yet another putt and Rory and Co looked at the leaderboard wondering if Harry Potter had been a late entry to the field. I'm not sure if even Harry could have played 10 through 14 in 5 under par.
At this stage it looked like Cam's name was on the Claret jug, but rarely is it as simple as that. Just ask Jean Van de Velde! Sorry Jean, but you know what I'm talking about!
Cam by name and Calm by nature, Mr. Smith added pars at 15, 16 and 17 before finishing in style. He hit a cracking drive down 18, leaving a a delicate chip to a tight pin. Very easy to get this one wrong, but Cam hadn't read the script that Rory and Co had a cosied a chip to 3 feet which he squarely sent home for birdie on the 18th.
Nicklaus.
Woods.
Hagen.
Snead.
Watson.
Hogan.
Palmer.
Player.
Sarazen.
Ballestaros.
Vardon.
Morris senior.
Morris Junior.
McIlroy.
Spieth.
Koepka.
A serious list. Legends. Winners. Grand Slams. The best. The contenders. The purist ball strikers of all time.
Young Cam Smith just managed something none of them could do, by navigating St. Andrew's in 20 under par! Tiger must have thought that his record was safe for the ages when getting around in -19, but Cam does not read scripts and his laser-sighted putter proved the difference this week.
Even a third round 73 was not enough to rock the plucky Australian who put together three other rounds of 67, 64 and 64 to etch his name fairly onto the Claret jug. Rory's cold putter did noy help, but you can take absolutely nothing away from the record breaking Smith who swashbuckled his way to a memorable title at St. Andrew's.
Cam has said he'd chop of the mullet if wins a golf major. Will he be true to his word? Time will tell!
Although many eyes were fixed upon Cam Smith, Cam Young, Rory, Victor and the rest of the field across the sea in Scotland, there was an even bigger qualifying competition up for deciding this weekend. That's right! My Captain's day qualifier was on and many spectators were more interested in this than the Open Championship!
After negotiating the first 8 holes in 37 shots, things were looking good, but then came the first of my triple bogeys!
Why have one triple bogey, when you can have three! Yep, that's right I had three triples. Luckily I also signed for 8 pars and 6 bogeys, so an 89 meant that I am likely to qualify with a net 73, more to follow on that my friends.
Usually net 75 and some 76s make it in, so I'm quietly confident.
I played with a guy today who has a handicap of 34 and out-drove me on 2 holes and I'm a big hitter. He got around in 103 shots or net 69 which seemed fairly nuts! I was given 18 when I first started and I could hardly hit the ball out of my way for the first year or two! I could have done with 34 shots back in those days I can tell you and I might have even featured in the odd competition!
I'm not sure if Cam himself could even compete with lads playing off 34! I mean this fellow could drive, chip and putt, so 34 was a crazy handicap to have. He left loads of shots out on the course, yet still had a net 69.
I'm far from a begrudger, but seeing guys win competitions with 47, 48, 49 and sometimes 50+ points is hard to take!
I shot 86 strokes last week and still didn't win a prize. 102 entered and I was outside the top ten with 39 stableford points.
I was delighted to get cut to 16, but it's always nice to takeba prize when you get cut, but there you go.
If I learned anything from today though it is to keep your head up, as watching Cam fight his way back with 6 birdies on his back 9 shows that it is always possible to claw your way back into contention.
The photos used throughout this post are all my own taken on my Samsung smart phone
