The 2009 British Open is over and the man whom most people wanted to win (at least in my circle of friends), did not. Tom Watson lost on the final hole of the 2009 British open after hitting a near perfect drive and then doing what so many of us have done before. Hit a shot too good. His emotions were ramped up and so was his adreneline. The 8 iron from 165 yards carried just a little too far and rolled over the green. Coming inches from stopping in a position where a par for the win would have most likely been assured. Instead we watched as the chip from below the green rolled 8 feet by and then in agony as the putt to win the British Open slipped below the hole.
After that, Tom Watson had nothing left to give the golf gods and the 4 hole playoff was a route. It was a difficult thing to watch but something that I am glad I stayed tuned in for because I got to see something that in todays world you don't see very often. A Gentleman losing in front of the whole world and acting like a gentleman playing a gentlemans game.
Sportsmanship and good behavior are things of the past in professional sports and are quickly becoming absent from our high school and youth sports. Todays youth model their behavior after the players they see on tv and most of the time that behavior is poor. Todays biggest star in golf, Tiger Woods is often seen slamming his club into the ground and uttering 4 letter words during his rounds. Stars from the NBA, NFL and other sports throw fits, swear and worse.
Tom Watson in losing the British Open may have given us the best example of how an athlete is suppose to behave at all times. With Class and Respect for others. I wish more athletes both young and old could learn to behave like a gentleman and learn good sportsmanship. Thanks Tom for all you have taught us.
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