U-S-A!

For the first time since 1999 the United States captured the Ryder Cup, golf's version of the Olympics. Every two years the event is played with the United States taking on a usually dominant Europe team.

After losing the previous three Ryder Cups, the Americans, led by first time Captain Paul Azinger, were determined not to go down on home soil. They wasted no time getting out of the gates jumping out to a 5 1/2 to 2 1/2 lead after day one. Europe made a push day 2 by winning the day 4 1/2 points to 3 1/2 cutting USA's lead to 2. In the end it was the Americans, led by Ryder Cup rookies Bubba Watson and Kenny Perry, who sealed the deal putting the United States back in the winner's circle 16 1/2 to 11 1/2.

Thats Two For Harrington

Once again it was a Harrinton-Garcia showdown in the final round of a major and once again it was Harrington who came out on top.

Padraig Harrington fired a four under 66 in the final round of the PGA Championship on Sunday to win his second major in a row. Paired with fan favorite Sergio Garcia, Harrington marched from two strokes back going into the day to claim his third career major.

Just like the final round of the British Open in 2007 it came down to Garcia and Harrington for the championship. Garcia, who shot a two under 68, had a two stroke lead at one point on the back nine only to see it slip away at the hands of his putter yet again.

Garcia is considered by many to be the best players in the world not to have won a major championship. He, much like Greg Norman, is becoming more well known for his collapses than his victories.

As for Harrington, the win, his second major victory in a row (2008 British Open was the other) makes him the front runner now for PGA player of the year, an award annually given to Tiger Woods. With Woods injured and out for the better portion of the year due to knee surgery it has left the door open for the likes of Harrington to seal the spotlight and make a name for himself.

Harrington Goes Back-to-Back

Last night while sitting at this computer I was anticipating writing a piece today about a triumphant return to the winner's circle for a 50+ year old golfer. What a story it would be for a man who has not won a PGA event since 1996, a man who has not even participated in a major in three years, to win The Open Championship, one of golf's toughest tests. It would have been a great story. Padraig Harrington however had other ideas.

Harrington fired a one under 69 including two birdies and an eagle on the back nine en route to a four stroke victory over Englishmen Luke Donald. Harrington was brilliant throughout, paring the first six holes while the rest of the field was falling victim to the 35+mph winds. He then came back to the rest of the pack at the midway point of the round before really turning it on for the back nine and cruising to victory.

The victory for Harrington, his second consecutive Open Championship title, is even more impressive given that a day before the tournament he was not even sure if he would be able to play this week. He suffered a wrist injury during a practice round prior to the event. In a week that lacked the biggest name in all of sports, it was a Tiger-esk victory, overcoming a serious injury to win, that me be the most overlooked story of the weekend.

The story that would have been, Greg Norman, bogeyed four of the first six holes and never really could seem to find that comfort level that he thrived in the previous three days. He finished at +9, good for third place, some six shots behind Harrington. Norman, who has been known more for his chokes than his successes over the course of his career, once again came up short handed in the final round.

It is tough to see a guy like Norman, someone who you can't help but root for, struggle and fail to pull off what seemed imminent. I hope for his sake that this is not the last we see of Greg Norman on a leaderboard. He deserves to go out on top. But at the age of 56 one can only wonder how many many oppertunities he will have.

2008 or 1988?

I realize golf is not the most popular of sports, particularly with Tiger Wood on the extended DL with a bum knee. With that said, how can you not love a story of a guy who has all but quit golf and now is leading through two rounds at the British Open.

If it was 1988 it would be no be deal to look at the leaderboard of a major and see Greg Norman's name up there. Here we are some 20 years later and I wake up this morning to see who on top of the leaderborad? No not the fan favorite Rocco Mediate who was leading after the first round. Not a big name like Phil Mickelson or Ernie Ells who should be taking advantage of a Tiger-less field. Not even an over due European such as Sergio Garcia or Colin Montgomerie.

Instead, I see Greg Norman. The Shark, as he is know. A guy who in his post round interview yesterday said he plays and practices more tennis than he does golf these days.

Norman has always been one of those guys that you can't help but root for. He has gotten his fair share of bad breaks over the years, and has had a few Mickelson like collapses to boot. Heres to hoping the shark can keep it together and take this one. For old times sake.