No Tiger. No Problem

Going into the British Open this week the PGA had been struggling with the absence of Tiger Woods. Kenny Perry had been on a winning streak of late but decided to skip the Open leaving PGA officials in a real jam as they now had no good stories to try and promote the event. Luckily for them however one former star and one Irishman decided to step up and make it a weekend to talk about. Greg Norman had a great weekend of golf and at 53 almost won the Open and Padraig Harrington defended his title to make it two years in a row.

The first story was that Greg Norman took the lead going into Sunday but was unable to close the deal as he shot a 77 and finished 3rd. The Norman story was great as he came out of nowhere to make his first run at a major championship since 1993 when he won the British Open. The one thing I don't like about this story is the way people are now trashing Greg Norman saying that he choked. If he had come out of nowhere to finish 3rd people would have said he was amazing but since he was in 1st at one point he gets thrown under the bus. People also need to realise that Greg Norman is semi-retired and that these days he plays more tennis than golf.

The second great story was Padraig Harrington becoming the first European to win back to back British Open's since James Braid of Scotland won in 1905-06. Before Tiger Woods won in 2005-06, no one had gone back-to-back since Tom Watson in '82 and '83. In all, 16 players have defended their titles since the first Open was played in 1860. Harrington played masterful golf and its sad that his victory is being overshadowed by Greg Norman not winning and Tiger Woods not being there.

Many people feel that since Tiger wasn't there the winner should have an asterisk put by their name in the record books. I don't understand how anyone could think this should actually be the case as its not as if Tiger Woods was a lock to win. In the past 10 years he has only won 3 times. While that is very impressive it does not mean that he is a guarantee. Hell with Padraig Harrington's win yesterday he has won twice in 10 years. Harrington also won last year when Tiger was there so clearly his victory this year shouldn't have an asterisk.

I understand people thinking that Tiger Woods is the best golfer in the world, I think this as well, but to say that every tournament he isn't at shouldn't really count is pure idiocy. Tiger has been in countless majors and hasn't won all of them so this line of thinking clearly doesn't make any sense. Thinking like this cheapens the victories of other golfers as it makes their wins seem less important. I'm sure yesterday was one of the best days of Padraig Harrington's life and yet it get cheapened by people saying that it should come with an asterisk.

The British Open did not disappoint this year as even without Tiger Woods it was an exciting weekend that left everyone with lots to talk about. Padraig Harrington won by playing great golf and there is no need for an asterisk. The PGA can be happy that even with no Tiger there is no problem.