Golf

Divots

By BOB HARIG
Published July 24, 2006

Divots

Silver Medal: It was quite a day for Marius Thorp. The 18-year-old amateur from Norway got to play the final round of the Open Championship with five-time winner Tom Watson. And his score of 74 was good enough to claim low-amateur honors and the Silver Medal. He tied for 48th. "It's been fantastic," said Thorp, who qualified by winning the European Amateur in Belgium. "I played really well all four days. (Sunday) I played with one of the biggest legends in the game in Tom Watson, and that was simply fantastic. What a guy he is. I learned so much." Thorp said he will take a shot at European Tour qualifying later this year, but he won't turn pro unless he makes it through. "If not, I'll try to take a year in the USA in college and try to go for the PGA Tour from there," he said.

Carnoustie, again: Next year's Open Championship venue, Carnoustie, endured a long wait between Opens, just as Royal Liverpool did. Carnoustie hosted the championship in 1975, when Watson won the first of five Claret Jugs. But the tournament did not return to the Scottish venue until 1999, mainly due to the same infrastructure problems that had been keeping it away from Royal Liverpool. It was at Carnoustie that Jean Van de Velde had his famous final-hole meltdown seven years ago, blowing a three-shot lead on the 72nd hole, then losing a four-hole playoff to Paul Lawrie. The tournament was also remembered for its brutal setup, with narrow fairways and brutal rough. The winning score was 6 over par.

Quotable

"This jug will be filled up, I'll tell you that. ... Beverage of my choice, and not just once." - Tiger Woods, sitting next to the Claret Jug, on how he will celebrate his victory

Stat of the Day

Despite using a driver on just one of the measured holes for the week, Woods still averaged 290.9 yards off the tee.

Hole of the Day

No. 14

Par 4, 456 yards

Woods had a one-stroke lead when he got to what was statistically one of the hardest holes on the course. Chris DiMarco had made a remarkable par save at the same hole to stay within one, but Woods followed with an approach to 8 feet and a birdie putt that gave him a two-stroke advantage. He went on to birdie the next two holes. The 14th is also where Woods holed a 4-iron shot for eagle Friday; the two strokes he gained there proved to be the margin of victory.

Around Hoylake: Sweden's Carl Pettersson, who won the Chrysler Championship last year at Innisbrook, shot 69 to tie for eighth, earning a spot in next year's Open. The top 10 and ties are invited back. It was Pettersson's highest finish in nine major championship appearances. ... Also earning a trip to Carnoustie was Japan's Hideto Tanihara, who tied for fifth, and two players from Argentina, Angel Cabrera (seventh) and Andres Romero (tied for eighth). ... Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell led with a first-round 66 but never came close to that score again. He went 73-72-79 to finish at 290, 2 over par. ... With the victory, Woods surpassed $60-million in career earnings on the PGA Tour. ... Watson shot 71 to finish tied for 48th. He will head to Turnberry this week in Scotland, site of the Senior British Open, where he won the 1977 British Open in the famous "Duel in the Sun" against Jack Nicklaus.

[Last modified July 24, 2006, 01:28:59]