Padraig Harrington Hails Great White Shark
In terms of romance, we´ve never seen an Open like it. The old white haired gladiator, well past his best, straps on the body armour for one last contest in the coliseum. His back creaks as he bends to tie up his Footjoys. He doesn´t move as freely as he did all those years ago as he pulls on his polo shirt.
Shortly afterwards the Great White Shark emerges into the packed Royal Birkdale arena and is welcomed onto the first tee with a deafening roar, just like the days of old when a younger man squared up to Nick Faldo, to Jack Nicklaus and to Tom Watson. His new lover, Chris Evert, still radiant after all these years looking on in pride and admiration.
Greg Norman is introduced to the golfing hordes by starter Ivor Robson and after another rapturous applause a hush descends over the place as he goes through his pre-shot routine.
It´s not easy to work out what is going on behind those narrow blue eyes. That craggy, lined face, each groove a map to his soul, would never show any signs of fear to his youthful adversary, Celtic warrior Padraig Harrington.
A few preparatory swooshes with his blade then BANG! Norman´s opening drive scythes through the 35mph cross-wind and straight down the middle of the fairway, the crowd goes bananas. His younger rival knows he is in for a rare old scrap. Sadly, there wasn´t to be a fairytale ending.
A long time before the battle reached the 18th green it was clear that the old warhorse had been well beaten. But like a true gladiator he went down fighting. Fighting to the end, like he did over an incredible three days previously.
"I am disappointed, that would be an understatement. It was a tough last day but I can hold my head up high. I hung in there but it was not to be," said a downhearted Norman afterwards.
Don´t worry Greg, what you achieved at Royal Birkdale was something we will never forget. At 53, Harrington, Tiger Woods or Sergio Garcia won´t be competing for Open Championships.
All Hail the Great White Shark.
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