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For the love of Mike.

Can we give this story a f**king rest?

A prime example, if we ever needed one, of the quality of journalism today.

There are other stories out there sports writers. Try a little harder.

Sorry.. but Van de Velde choking away the Open Championship will NEVER not be funny. It brings a smile to my face everytime I read about it.

ack...ack...ack....

Give him credit. He suffered one of the most embarrassing collapses in the history of golf, has been the butt of endless jokes by the media and fans, and yet he keeps going. Other pros facing his situation may have simply faded into obscurity. I'll root for him.

You mean a French person lost?

Anyone know why the name changed from British Open to The Open?

One more thing: After his loss at Carnoustie, he never blamed anyone or anything but himself (take notes, Garcia and Montgomery). He was simply trying to win a tournament and made some mistakes along the way. But he handled himself with dignity and class, much like Mickelson and Norman handled themselves after their losses at the '06 US Open and '96 Masters.

Give him credit. He suffered one of the most embarrassing collapses in the history of golf, has been the butt of endless jokes by the media and fans, and yet he keeps going. Other pros facing his situation may have simply faded into obscurity. I'll root for him.

FLGLFFAN | 07/10/08, 09:43 AM
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Can you say GREG NORMAN!

AF,

Yep, Norman did fade away after his collapse at the Masters in '96. But if you saw his interviews after the final round that year, he did his best to maintain an upbeat attitude while accepting responsibility for his collapse (quote: "What do you want me to say? I f****ed up."). Bottom line: he was gracious in defeat. I've never been a fan of his, but to be perfectly fair he was the victim of a lot of bad fortune over the years yet handled them with class.

AF,

Yep, Norman did fade away after his collapse at the Masters in '96. But if you saw his interviews after the final round that year, he did his best to maintain an upbeat attitude while accepting responsibility for his collapse (quote: "What do you want me to say? I f****ed up."). Bottom line: he was gracious in defeat. I've never been a fan of his, but to be perfectly fair he was the victim of a lot of bad fortune over the years yet handled them with class.

FLGLFFAN | 07/10/08, 10:12 AM
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FLG, you're definitely right about Norman, classy guy. In fact, i have tickets to the US Senior Open in the coming weeks, and guess who I'm going to follow?

I hear you, Helen. Anyone of us who've played golf long enough know what it's like to have a horrible round, or worse, have a horrible round during a tournament. Maybe that's why its so easy to relate to, and cheer for, a guy like Van de Velde. Again, all he was doing was trying to win a tournament. On the last hole, he "went for broke," so to speak, and paid dearly for it. If he had been content with second place and played it safe on that hole, would we have thought any better of him?

It seems, too, that historically the Brits have always called it "The Open."

We slapped the "British" part on there to differentiate it from our own US Open.

I could be wrong about that, but my buddies over there have always called it simply, "The Open."

Helen from Keller | 07/10/08, 10:21 AM
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I'd buy that for a dollar!! Makes sense to me...thanks

I hear you, Helen. Anyone of us who've played golf long enough know what it's like to have a horrible round, or worse, have a horrible round during a tournament. Maybe that's why its so easy to relate to, and cheer for, a guy like Van de Velde. Again, all he was doing was trying to win a tournament. On the last hole, he "went for broke," so to speak, and paid dearly for it. If he had been content with second place and played it safe on that hole, would we have thought any better of him?

FLGLFFAN | 07/10/08, 10:29 AM
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You mean people like Tin Cup? HA HA! "Just hit the big dog up the chute!"

Exactly, AF. Van de Velde is our "Tin Cup" man. In a way, so is Mickelson. Unlike Tiger, who wins by playing smart (as Nicklaus did), Mickelson always, and I mean ALWAYS, goes for broke. He won't always win by playing with that strategy, but it makes it exciting for us fans to watch, and you have to admire him for it. I'm not a real big Phil fan, but I do like that about him.

i've been watching more LPGA golf as well...it's getting very competitive over there...lots of young talent coming from overseas to play in the LPGA

AF -

That's dedication, man. I can't get with watching the dames yet.

FLGLFFAN -

I've never done the traditional tourney thing. Just gagged up a bunch of cash in a $10 buck-**** nassau.

Helen from Keller | 07/10/08, 11:24 AM
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Helen, just google Sarah Kemp or Anna Rawson or Nikki Garrett...you'll start watching!

I live in the UK and there is a really fantastic tradition associated with links golf. It is a totally different game, believe me. I have played a par-3 in the morning and hit 8 iron and then after a wind switch, hit 3 iron after lunch. You really need to keep your head on straight. And since The Open (British) was going long before the US version, they do simply call it "The Open" here, and fair enough. Both are great tournaments for their own reason. PS I played Carnoustie 3 weeks ago, the visitior tees were up a bit and the wnd with us - I hit Driver-Gap Wedge into 18. Poor Jean had to play it in a bit more difficult conditions!!!

Helen, just google Sarah Kemp or Anna Rawson or Nikki Garrett...you'll start watching!

AFScott | 07/10/08, 11:52 AM
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If one of them is the girl pictured in your Avatar, AF, I'll start watching too!

Agree with rileyo4. Links golf is the best. Totally different game. I wish we had more true links courses here in the States. There are a few in SC and FL, but don't really compare to those in the British Isles.

I'm outta here for the day. Good seeing you Helen, AF, and others.