Putting the U.S. Open in prime time was a stroke of genius by the television networks. It meant fans could watch at least the final nine holes without wasting an entire afternoon parked in front of the big screen with the sun shining outside.
But as Jeff Neuman of Real Clear Sports points out, it was a painful final round to watch. Everyone suggested that third-round leader Dustin Johnson would need to come back to the pack to make it a horse race, but who knew he would need only three holes to do it? He’s not going to soon forget shooting an 82 after sleeping on the 54-hole lead in the U.S. Open.
The open is always difficult, and par is considered a winnable score, but there was no drama of a final-round charge. There were no dramatic birdies that will be played over and over in years to come. Instead, there was one train wreck after another — something all of us weekend duffers can relate to — as the contenders failed to capitalize on opportunities to make a game of it.
Isn’t this how the British Open is supposed to play out?
