Heartbreak for Sergio,as Harrington lifts Claret Jug

Sergio Garcia could not hold on to his three stroke lead on an exciting and dramatic last day at the British Open. At the 14th tee Harrington was -7 while Garcia was in the lead at -8. A stunning eagle took Harrington into the lead at -9 whereas Gracia playing behind Harrington birdied the hole to have a share of the lead. This is where all the drama started. Harrington played par right upto the the 18th tee whereas Garcia dropped a shot on the 15th to leave him one behind the leader. Events of the 1999 Championships seemed to unfold all over again on the 18th. Harrington who led by one had a disastrous last hole and finished with a double bogey to drop one shot behind Garcia at -7. Garcia needed to hold his nerves and Par the last hole for a win and maiden major title. As luck would it have it(for Harrington), Garcia hit his second shot into the bunker and had to be content with a bogey leaving him -7 and in a playoff with Harrington for the title. In the playoff Harrington drew first blood with a birdie on the first of four playoff holes. it stayed that way till the last hole. Garcia could not put any pressure on the last hole and left Harrington wit a short putt for the title.
Richard Green mad a final spurge with a brilliant 64 but found himself two shots behind. Tiger Woods shot a final round 70 to see him finish tied for 12th at -2. Els saw himself finish in the top five yet again with a final score of -5. Vijay Singh who had a disastrous last round of 75 finished at +2.

Garcia In The Lead

Sergio Garcia shot a brilliant 65 to head the first round of the Championship wit a 6 under par.On a windy wet day Garcia showed his putting brilliance that saw him take a two shot lead over Paul McGinley. McGinley led most of the time but could not keep up with Garcia on the last 9 holes and finished with a 67 . Defending champion and favourite Tiger Woods, is in a comfortable position having shot a 69 and four of the lead. The surprise of the day was amateur Rory McIlroy who impressed everyone with a brilliant 68. His 68 had not a single bogey, one of the very who managed that feat. Angel Cabrera, Markus Brier, Boo Weekley and Michael Campbell are tied with Rory for 3rd place. Other big names in the field had average rounds. Goosen shot a 70. Els and Vijay Singh shot a 1 over 72 whereas 'Lefty' Mickelson shot an even par round. We wait to see what happens on day 2 at The Open.

Hatrick For Tiger?

The British Open starts on the 19th of July at Carnoustie and World No.1 Tiger Woods will be gunning for his third consecutive Open title. Woods won his first Open title in 2000. The last Open to be held here was in 1999 where Jean Van De Velde's dramatic last hole led to a playoff where Paul Lawrie clinched the title. Woods as usual will be the firm favorite to take home the title but Els, Singh, Mickelson and a host of others will want the title for themselves. Woods who is chasing Jack Nickalus's record of 18 majors will be hoping to add No. 13 to his collection. Woods has played 10 tournaments this year winning three of them and finishing second twice. He has had seven top 10 finishes with all cuts made. Woods closest rival will be Mickelson who surprisingly has never performed well at the Open except for a third place finish in 2004. Ernie Els will be another favorite who has always produced good results at the Open with 9 top ten finishes in the past 15 Opens including a win in 2002. I'm sure this will be a great Open and one not to be missed.