As Tom Watson walked down the No. 18 fairway at Turnberry during the four-hole playoff, even though The Open had already been decided, I did have my reasons to keep watching.
Am I a Stewart Cink fan? Hardly. I wasn’t watching so I could see Cink hold the claret jug, I was watching the gallery hoping for some kind of miracle to happen. This may sound bad, but I was secretly wishing Jeff Gillooly would make his way over the yellow ropes and club Mr. Cink with a 9-iron.
Sports can be down right rotten at times.
Watson’s meltdown was painful to watch. It was like watching the Belmont Stakes hoping to witness your first ever Triple Crown.
I’ve watched and cheered on the likes of Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charismatic, War Emblem, Funny Cide, Smarty Jones and Big Brown. All came up just short. All left me with a sick feeling in my gut. And all seven times I vowed never to watch the sport again. Hasn’t happened in my lifetime, but hope always pulls me back.
Watching Watson’s 9-foot par putt was slightly less enjoyable than watching the Buffalo Bills get trounced by the Dallas Cowboys in 1993 and 1994. Can’t stand the Cowboys, my heart belongs to the Philadelphia Eagles. And believe me, if you like heart break, the Eagles are your team. From coming up just short against the Patriots in ‘05, to just missing out on a Super Bowl berth last season during Arizona’s run.
That’s sport, though. It’s easy to get sucked into the hype. It is so much more enjoyable if you watch hoping to witness the impossible, something incredible, or just simply amazing. Sports have been bad to us lately. Steroids, dog fighting, murder-suicide’s, drunk driving, just bad stuff.
But let’s face it, what else can take you from chugging pepto, to cloud 9 in a matter of hours, without any real consequences.
As hard as it was to watch on Sunday, what a ride it was. Had it not been for Watson, no one would have watched. No one would have cared had Cink won from start-to-finish, especially with Tiger Woods on a plane ride home on Friday night.
But that’s sports. At any given moment something special can happen. And while Watson didn’t win, this year’s Open reminded us of just that.
Sports Opinion
July 21, 2009
SPRUILL: There is always hope
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My 2010 moment
First off, I’d like to thank the Edmond sporting community for accepting me into their fold, or at least accepting me as much as possible for a journalist. It has been a great five-and a half months and I’ve had the opportunity to witness some prime time moments while at The Sun.
- SPRUIL: Woods scandal not that shocking Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
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SPRUILL: Woods scandal not so shocking
Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
Sir Charles gave us this gem back then stating, “A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail, should they be role models?”
Just can’t do it. I remember vividly the day I learned this valuable lesson, it was when I got my copy of Sports Illustrated with Sooner quarterback Charles Thompson being ushered to jail in his infamous orange jumpsuit. - HARRISON : It’s time for some hoops With Bedlam in the rearview mirror and talk of freezing temperatures and possible snow this week it can only mean one thing. The winter sports season is upon us.
- SPRUIL: 'Dogs have nothing to lose Bulldogs have a chance to break another streak, which is to attempt to end the east sides dominance — Jenks and Union have combined to win 13 straight Class 6A state titles.
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SPRUILL: UCO loaded for another run
No. 18-ranked Central Oklahoma appears to be loaded for another deep run in the NCAA Division II tournament.
It’s only November and the Bronchos have only played one game, but what they showed against Emporia State in a 116-114 double-overtime win was incredible. -
SPRUIL: Playoff picture still cloudy
With most of the district’s already decided — a few key matchups still remain — it’s time to start looking at the playoff picture.
We know Edmond Memorial, Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian are in the playoffs. Deer Creek is on life support, while Oklahoma Christian Academy and Edmond Santa Fe are done for the year following Friday night. -
SPRUILL: OU's Bradford still livin' the dream
There’s still no guarantee that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will play this season. But Sooner fan or not, you have to love the Heisman Trophy winner’s attitude.
His first start could come this week against Baylor, or it could be against Texas. You will not hear any crying from Bradford, though, that is for certain.
The media has questioned his decision about coming back. He could have been the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, instead he gets injured in the opener and now his future is in question.
But what seems so shocking to some across the country, really isn’t that shocking at all. Bradford is living his dream. The dream of any former high school star in the state of Oklahoma that wants to play in either Stillwater or Norman. - HARRISON: Local teams draw favorable regional assignments With the end of the regular season fast approaching, local softball teams are turning their attention towards next week’s regional tournaments. While Edmond Santa Fe is the only squad that will be at home next week, all four teams have a legitimate shot at state.
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SPRUILL: Edmond recovering from split
Things are shaping up for another great football season for local teams.
As it stands, Edmond still has two undefeated teams in Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian School. And there are signs the big three have reached a near full recovery from the spit. - More Sports Opinion Headlines
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My 2010 moment
