Van De Who?

Jean Van De Velde should send Padraig Harrington a long thank you note. "Dearest Padraig, thank you for not only hitting the Berne once, but managing to touchdown in the glorified creek a second time. Seriously...Merci!" With the pressure off Van de Velde, the pressure immediately shifted to Sergio Garcia. Whoops...hit the iron short. Dos Whoops...in the sand. Tres Whoops...missed a short, relatively light breaking put. Such is the British Open, and this is why I love it. No matter what happens, drama will occur in some form, whether its Nicklaus being cheered at every hole, Van de Who? doing his best impression of The Jerk, or two golfers handing the title back and forth to each other, as if to say "No...you take it." Now we head into a playoff, guaranteed to have a European winner, and certain that every Irishman watching Harrington has a bar tab riding on his performance.

The playoff will consist of a congregate score from holes 1, 16, 17, and 18. Can we have a playoff from a playoff? I hope so.

1:46- Both players have opted to put the driver away, took them long enough. Harrington has got to be thinking about the possible 10 minute pieces he will be seeing next year. By the way, Harrington is in fact related to Joey Harrington. It would appear that the apple does not fall to far from the tree in that family, here's hoping that Joey sees a playoff game before the age of 50.

1:50- Garcia is short again and in the bunker. First Harry Potter book sighting as Harrington pulls a gigantic Happy Gilmore..."Somebody's ridiculously closer".

1:55- Sergio +1, Harrington -1. Guinness stock just jumped another 10 points.

1:59- Sergio just hit the pin. I wonder if Jim Rome still "doesn't get" the British Open. "Hungry Like the Wolf" is playing as we head to commercial. Nothing says British Open like Duran Duran.

2:02- Shot of the Ryder Cup team. This is why we don't win Ryder Cups. If Tiger Woods is in a playoff, Mickelson is already downing scotch and betting red in roulette. If Mickelson is in a playoff, momentum has already shifted to his opponent. Scores remain the same, as Sergio two putts and Padraig confidently makes par after missing the green.

2:07- Second Harry Potter reference, i think they were handing the book out at the gates. Sergio looks tense, like his chance has already passed. Padraig, however, seems relaxed, continuing to hit smart shots. Rolling Stones to commercial...I was hoping for Wham!

2:13- Harrington puts it within 5 feet. Sergio continues to look like he has food poisoning. And a collective "OOOOHHHH" (or ewwwwww) from the crowd erupts as he hit a safe lay up shot to the front of the green. This reminds me of the Titelist commercials with Kenny Mayne..."Man up Ladybug and go for it" I love that guy.

2:17- Sergio from 18 feet....almost. Still looks sick while saying to himself "That's it". Harrington for Birdie....wow missed it left. A fan in the background yelled "Driver". I wonder if he will listen.

2:20- Que Harrington's 18th. Splash! Splash! The caddy is discussing how to play the hole, I assume he is saying "Leave the driver in the bag".

2:22- PH goes with the hybrid and leaves it short. And Sergio takes out the driver in what appears to a be a "Gods be Damned" move...oh dear...rough. A collective sigh of relief from the announcers as for once a driver doesn't land in the creek.

2:26- Segway cameras are hilarious...I want Gob Bluth to role up to Sergio and yell "Come ON!"

2:29- ITS ON THE GREEN. Sergio just saved shot from the rough. All shots are "golf shots" and we are informed that was a "GOLF SHOT". Thanks announcing booth.

2:32- Sergio gets a free a read from Padraig. "Seriously...you can have it."

2:35- Rims it out on a strangely similar put. "I don't want to win...really". Sits down with a 4, as Harrington has a shot to win. Every Guinness in Ireland is raised. Pending a make i know where I'm investing.

2:37- Winner. Sergio just cant seem to get it done. Oh well, plenty more tournaments to lose and leads to squander. This was a great week of golf no matter which way you take it. The British Open has yet again proved to be one of the most entertaining sports events in my opinion. Carnoustie again proves to be a monster of a course. Suck it Jim Rome.