Sports

Commentary

The buzz

By Times Staff Writer
Published June 12, 2005

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What's it like walking down the 18th fairway at the U.S. Open knowing the trophy is yours?

Very few know the feeling.

Tommy Bolt is one. "You're in complete control of yourself," Bolt said. "You've got no enemies. There's not any way to describe it, really. It's the greatest feeling in the world."

"Terrible Tommy," as he was known across the land (though he always preferred "Thunder Bolt"), won the 1958 U.S. Open at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., earning $8,000 for his only major championship.

Bolt, who lives about 90 minutes north of Tampa at Black Diamond Ranch, led after every round with 71-71-69-72 for 3-over 283 and won by four over 22-year-ol d Gary Player.

He plans to attend this year's Open, which begins Thursday at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. The course, site of his first pro title, is his favorite.

Bolt, 89, is as sharp today as ever. He vividly remembers his first encounters with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, when both were teenage phenoms. He still plays often and usually breaks 80. And his opinions remain bold.

Just in case you're wondering, Bolt is convinced the players of his era could compete against the stars of today. Give Ben Hogan and Sam Snead the same equipment as Woods and Phil Mickelson, and you'd have a dogfight.

"It would be pretty close," Bolt said.

OVERRATED

Danica Patrick's looks

Little E. (He does still race, doesn't he?)

UNDERRATED

Danica Patrick's driving

Thriller, Beat It and Human Nature

REMEMBER WHEN

Sports Illustrated produced one of its most infamous covers 10 years ago today. On the front of the June 12, 1995, issue, there was no photo, only these words: Why the University of Miami should drop football.

The accompanying article chronicled violations such as improper benefits, use of steroids, discharge of weapons and telephone fraud. Are those even crimes anymore?

FINAL THOUGHT

What would it take to get Phil Jackson to go away?

Compiled by Keith Niebuhr, Times staff writer

[Last modified June 12, 2005, 00:39:15]

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