Everybody is talking about Adam Scott’s meltdown, but I don’t want to talk about that. I want to talk about Ernie’s brilliance in capturing his fourth major championship, cementing his place in golf history as one of its elite players of all time, and the thrilling, riveting finish that all these majors seem to provide. Ernie has an autistic son, Ben, whom he is caring and passionate about. He said he wasn’t sure he believed in himself after he had a meltdown at the Transitions Championship in March and lost that tournament after having the lead and looking as if he was going to capture the title up until the 15th. He had lost faith. He was very hard on himself. But his wife and kids believed in him. His 10-year old son Ben still believed in him. Ben loves watching him hit balls. It gives him such pleasure.
So Ernie started believing in himself again. Four birdies on the back nine at Royal Lytham and St Annes on the final day was clutch. Drilling a 15-foot putt for birdie on 18 to close the gap to one between him and Scott was clutch. Maybe some people will get on Adam and say he lost it, and Adam didn’t respond that well to the pressure of the moment, but I think the story is more about Ernie. A 42-year old man who is rejuvenated by his golf game. Couldn’t happen to a better guy either.
It was a terrific tournament as all these majors are. Maybe the best events in sports in my opinion. Ernie, to me, cemented his place in golf history. With major wins at the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997 and Claret Jug wins at the Open Championship in 2002 and 2012, Ernie is a Hall of Famer. He’s already been inducted this year, and he was a little embarrassed by it like Phil was because for one he didn’t think he deserved it just yet and secondly because he still thought he could win on the tour. Now that honor seems richly deserved. Just a class act and a class champion. Maybe there’s one or more majors left in Ernie’s bag. He’s such a fine ball striker. If he can putt well he can win again. Ernie has played a lot this year and that’s made a difference. He played last week at the Scottish Open while others were just playing practice rounds at Royal Lytham. He’s worked hard for this. He’s earned it. There’s no more deserving champion than Ernie. A lot of people feel sorry for Scott, and I do a little, but I’m more excited for Ernie. Scott is 32. There should be other opportunities. You never know in golf, but one would think he’ll be in the hunt quite a bit more. He’s a heckuva talent. This may have been one of Ernie’s last chances. I hope not. He’s such a fantastic person, you’d love to see him up there in the hunt again. He was not going to let the 15-footer on 18 be short. He hit it firm and with conviction. It was dead on, right in the heart of the cup. That’s what champions are made of.
Tiger fought hard and Brandt Snedeker, bless his heart, just struggled with the pressure. Graeme McDowell was close, but couldn’t close. Expect all three of them to come back and be contending again very soon. All will be in the hunt and could get it done again very soon. I expect two or all three of them to be in contention in the PGA at Kiawah Island, August 9-12. Tiger could be in line for number 15. He’s very close.
But the day and the moment belonged to Ernie. He shot a final round 68 with four birdies on the back at 10,12, 14 and 18. It was dramatic and exciting and beautiful really. Class champion, class person. Epic champion. Epic Open.