Biggest Tragedy at the US Open

[Putt4doh]

and Why?

Would love to see what we come up with here at GolfWRX...

[Chris L The Golf Dude]

Either: Mick or Monty.

 

Those two right there,

 

Phil pulled a Jean Van de Velde.

 

Monty Pulled a Greg Norman ('96 Masters).

[sheppy335]

Phil was cause he didnt put the driver in the bag when he go a 2 shot lead and played for par golf. Shoot even if he just used a darn iron off the tee on the last hole he would be atleast playing today. OR CHIP IT OUT! HMMM that is what Geoff did and that is why he is holding the open trophy.

[Golf_Beauty]

I'd have to say Monty; I was rooting for him. I still can't figure out how I didn't put him as my pick for the European winner for the contest. :friends:

 

Anyway, his poor second shot on 18 just about killed me. I'm wondering what his caddy told him, if anything, about his club selection. He's shown such maturity, or rather mellowing out, over the years. He takes him lumps in the press, and even when some of the fans weren't so gracious, he took it all in stride. The old Monty would've blown up and really gotten himself into a pickle. Yes, I'm impressed with the new and improved Colin Montgomery. Especially after he hit a iron shot to the green and some moron yelled, "Get in the trap!" Colin didn't say a word, didn't even look over in that direction, just kept walking and I believe, parred the hole.

 

That's my biggest tragedy at the US Open. :crazy:

[dpwrx]

I am no Phil fan, but I voted that his could be the most "tragic" storyline of the week.

 

I was happy to see someone else win, but this is going to disproportionately tarnish perceptions of Phil many years down the road. Phil has accomplished a lot in the last 2 years, and in his career in general. It seems over the course of the back nine, his mini-legacy vanished in the minds of many and he will be remembered more as a choker than as a 3-time major champion (and counting).

 

I'll be rooting for others (like Tiger) in many majors in the future, but I do hope Phil gets remembered for more than yesterday afternoon. He's worked too hard and done too much to deserve that.

 

I feel for Furyk and Monty, but all the heat seems to be on Phil for this one. Their legacies appear fixed (Furyk as a consummate grinder and warrior, Monty as the grand Euro vet in a quixotic quest for stateside legacy), Phil's legacy appears to be in tatters for now.

[drpino]

definitely Phil. i was at the Open yesterday and the collective feeling that Phil was going to win his 3rd straight major was palpable.

 

if you take a look at a replay of his tee shot swing on 18, you'll see he didn't just try to play his patented baby cut with the driver. he took one of the biggest swings i've ever seen by a pro...it was John Daly'ish - clubhead was all the way at his right hip on the backswing.

 

i have a little feeling that the he was so amp'ed up at the thought of winning a US Open. couple that with the adrenaline rush of 20-30K fans cheering for him and Phil gave that tee shot a HUGE rip.

 

i watched in amazement as Monty second guessed his club selection and Phil pulled driver on the tee....two of the worst "course management" decisions i've seen.

 

oh yeah, and Phil's decision to go for the green with his second shot was just idiotic. two consecutive bad decisions = advantage Phil.

[poppyhillsguy]

How do I get that sliding toolbar off my screen so I can vote?

[Ty_Webb]

Got to go with Monty on this one. He's now had five second place finishes in majors, which I believe is the most without a win. He had a really good chance this time and got past the difficult bit on 18. Phil has won a few and I suspect will add to the tally, so I don't feel particularly sorry for him, although he did completely brain haemhorrage on 18 there.

 

I also think it was a shame that Woods missed the cut in his first event back after his father passing away.

[dansrixon]

While Padrig and Jim choked...Phil KNEW what he had shoot on 18 and driver (which sucked all day) was not the right choice off the tee. He needed a fairway not a bombed drive.

[spk74]

Mickelson for me...I find it particularly ironic that Pelz's new book is called "Damage Control". On the one hand, Phil had been controlling the damage all week, and doing a fine job at that. But the 72nd hole really got him good.

 

If Phil had won, I was actually considering getting the FT-3 Driver/Fusion Fairway deal that they have going on right now...to commemorate. But 2/14...a trash bag and the hospitality tent...Callaway's gonna have to give them away.

[keith6]

On 18 you saw Phil ask what Ogilvy made. You could just see a look again in his eyes, 'I am going to hit a monster drive then stick an approach and win". He just forgot where the hell he was and reverted to his old ways. No question he could have punched the ball down the hole and won. when is he ever going to learn.

[Huskypride28]

If we could answer A and B that would be my answer because both Phil and Monty were equally depressing however, since we can only pick one I will go with Phil. Just a complete and utter meltdown on 18.

[markus1*]

For me it's Colin. To see him having the chance of getting the win (maybe one of his last) and then not even getting a playoff was very sad for me. I somehow like the way he swings...

[tei3rn]

Monty - wanted to see him win his first major after a stellar career. Didn't 3 putt all week until coming down the stretch...

 

Phil - wanted to see someone with a shot at the slam. Just didn't hit the driver good on Sunday. Should have left it in the bag on the 18 tee. He could have made par with his 4 wood. Major brain fart!!

[king1066]

The greatest tradegy is me, I didnt get extra innings (a couple of sudden death holes). Phil was stupidity, if you play the game smart, its a lot easier than gripping and ripping. Monty just didnt execute down the stretch, he dropped a lucky putt to get within 1 (I believe) and other than that, poor execution. Good win for Ogilvy.

[mizuno]

I would have to say Phil as he just compounded his errors on the last hole:

 

A) hitting driver on eighteen after only hitting 2 fairways all day. He could have hit 4 wood or 3 iron and still made par from the fairway and won.

 

B) trying to hit an impossible recovery shot after hitting the driver. If he pitched out, he might have still got down in 2 and won; worse case he makes a 5 and he is in a 18 hole playoff on Monday.