Thought for the Day:
How did they measure the size of hailstones before golf balls were invented?
Persistence pays off
The concept of heroism has been seriously eroded in recent years. It used to be that someone in the armed forces, for example, had to perform in a particularly selfless way in order to be described as heroic but now they only have to don the uniform. To become a hero nowadays you just have to be there, rather than do something extraordinary. We see the same diminution of the concept in sport, whereby anyone who achieves anything (and many more who fail ‘bravely’) are accorded heroic status. But every now and then we see an example that, in sporting terms at least, raises the person concerned to a particular level of achievement that allows us to legitimately describe them as heroes, at least in their sport. In golf, my vote goes to Jamie Donaldson, who has just won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. In 2004 he was advised to give up the game at which he excels on medical grounds, having been diagnosed with what is sometimes referred to as Pars disease. It is, in fact, a variant of lumbar spondylolysis and is, in effect, a stress fracture of the spine that afflicts active sportspeople and causes considerable pain. It is treatable but not curable and, like the yips, once you’ve got it, you’ve got it for good. Donaldson, however, ignored his doctor’s advice and undertook a punishing regime of exercise involving endless hours in the gym in order to continue competing as a golfer.
He originally made it into the big league as a Challenge Tour graduate in 2001 and despite slipping back onto the Challenge Tour in 2007, plugged away with what can only be described as limited success. And then, at the 255th time of asking, he broke through for his maiden win at last year’s Irish Open and now, only 13 events later, he takes his second title. He also did it in style, overhauling world number four Justin Rose with a four-under par 68 that was just good enough, despite a bogey on the last. Whatever the future may hold, by taking his second Tour title he has elevated himself well above the status of journeyman and, in my eyes at least, assumes heroic status.
Smart move
A few weeks ago Rory McIlroy said that he may not compete in the 2016 Olympics, in which golf is making a return after an absence of 112 years. The reason is the dilemma he faces over which country to represent, being eligible for selection as a representative of Great Britain or Ireland. He believes that whichever decision he takes, someone will be offended. By raising the possibility of not appearing at all he is quietly driving home to those who may object that their protestations could bring about the worst possible scenario. If this has the effect of causing otherwise rabid nationalists to keep quiet then it’s a very smart move.
Bad week for the whoosh
Nike was the Greek goddess of victory – well, not last week she wasn’t. With the golf company that is named after her having Rory and Tiger, the world’s best two golfers on their books, much fun was had at the company’s expense when both of them missed the cut. Particularly as Rory, of course, had just signed a multi-megabucks deal to play Nike equipment. I’m sure it’s just a blip – even the best in the world take time to adjust to new clubs and Rory has had a layoff off several weeks so is bound to be rusty. What concerns me more is the unnecessarily aggressive way that Nike surrounds Tiger with its own security minders, sinisterly dressed in black and apparently of the view that no-one, under any circumstances, can approach their charge. If the company adopts a similar attitude with McIlroy, and as a result this engaging, cheerful approachable young man becomes a miserable hermit like Tiger, then everyone will suffer.
The cruelest mistress
A few years ago I conducted one of my most enjoyable interviews, in the clubhouse at Wentworth, and it was with David Howell. He was unguarded, relaxed, agreeable, funny and modest. But in recent years even his amiability must have been stretched to its limit as his form deserted him (initially through injury) and he fell down the world rankings quicker than a hamburger disappears down John Daly’s neck, reaching a nadir of 569th. Since that low spot three years ago he steadily pulled himself back up to 258th and if he had managed to win in Abu Dhabi it would have restored him to the world’s top-100. And briefly, when he seized the lead after five birdies in the first 10 holes, those of us who regard ourselves as supporters dared to hope. But then, in the worst possible way for a man who once had a putting stroke that was the envy of almost everyone who saw it, he imploded, taking four putts from four feet. Those of you with a superstitious bent will not be surprised to learn that the disaster occurred on the 13th hole.
Quote of the Week
There has been criticism that some professional golfers do not know how to teach. In defence of my competent colleagues in professional golf, I must point out that many pupils don’t know how to take a lesson
Tommy Armour