365 Media Group - Sporting Life and Golf365 - US Open 2008

Tiger and Torrey Pines: perfect double act

I'm back in Blighty after a long week in Southern California, but it was a week you did not want to end.

In glorious high definition, Sky Sports produced a golfing spectacular that, despite the awkward time difference, was impossible to switch off and climb into the pit even though the midnight oil had ran out hours before the last putt of each day went in.

Quite simply, Torrey Pines gave us the best US Open ever. On top of that, Sky Sports have secured the television rights to what is now golf's most-anticipated major, for the next six years.

It fits beautifully into our golfing portfolio and alongside the USPGA Championship and the World Golf Championships and it means we have the very best action America has to offer.

What more can one say about Tiger Woods?

He is without doubt the greatest player to grace the fairways of the world and we are hugely fortunate to be living in this era to witness what can only be described as sporting excellence.

Spectacle

Rocco Mediate played his part in this epic, as did our own Lee Westwood. The fans completed the spectacle and it leaves you hungry for more. Roll on next June.

The last four years, I have not seen the end of The Masters. Augusta used to have the hairs on your neck stand up. I grew up wishing the days away before the first major. I just could not wait for it to start. I put these last four years down to watching so much golf that I had too much of it.

At Torrey Pines, I found out why I had simply lost interest. It is the fact Augusta has changed so much, for the worse. The course has become too long, too firm and too tricky. Gone are the days when the back nine on Sunday was one of the year's great sporting spectacles, because now the players are playing defensive golf.

Gone are the roars from around Amen Corner, gone are the days when you could come back in 30 if you were brave enough, and with that, gone is the magic that was The Masters.

The US Open was in danger of going the same way, but Mike Davis, Head of Operations for the USGA, had the courage to change things this year and he was rewarded with an unforgettable five days. A collection of tees were introduced at the par three's.

The longer the hole, the easier the pin position was. The shorter the hole the more testing. Par fives were played at varying distances which increased options and tees were shifted almost every day on the par fours. Simple, but brilliant.

Whipped

I still don't like the 18-hole play off. On Sunday evening, 50,000 fans had been whipped into a frenzy by the finish of Woods, Mediate and Lee Westwood. The skies were cobalt blue and the evening sun shone on every blade of grass. That was the moment to see a finish.

The USGA were fortunate that Tiger made the play-off. Had it been Rocco Mediate versus Woody Austin, Monday would have been a massive anti-climax. Now that they have successfully changed their views on the set up of the golf course, this would be a good time to copy the Open and USPGA and introduce a three or four-hole loop immediately after the 72nd hole.

The big question now is, when will Tiger tee it up again? I honestly didn't think he was going to make the Open. The uneven terrain of Royal Birkdale was already unmanageable for his troublesome knee, but now his season, we are told, is over - which of course means no Ryder Cup and a major blow for Paul Azinger

And it also provides a huge headache for USPGA Tour commissioner, Mr Tim Finchem. The television ratings are considerably down since Tiger cut his schedule back a year or two ago.

Television companies across the globe have paid inflated amounts of money for the PGA Tour, and sponsors have made considerable commitments. For the first time in his tenure, Mr Finchem has problems to solve.

Tiger will of course rest and recuperate well. His latest win takes him to 14 majors and the record of Jack Nicklaus is well within his sights. Health permitting, he will reach, and then pass Jack's wonderful achievement. For the rest of the world's top players, it's the same old story after the years' second major. Tiger is in a class of his own. He won this one standing on one leg.

Your feedback

OK I was wrong again in saying he would not win and Phil Mickelson would. In my defence, I did say Lee Westwood was our best home hope!

Wrong also was Chris Dunn, who went for Miguel Angel Jimenez, Steve Lewis, who opted for Nick Dougherty and Damien Morris who went for my outsider, Anthony Kim. Step up to the plate, Sheena O'Keeffe who correctly predicted Woods would win despite his injury and long lay-off.

Sheena, I go down on one knee and propose that you... become my guest tipster for the Open. You have a month to think about it!

In last week's e-mails, Craig Schul asked if Ernie Els has lost his self-belief and does he bare too many scars from recent failures. Craig, I can report that Ernie is very close to his best again.

His work with Sky Sports' Butch Harmon is going well and but for a silly seven at the 15th on Sunday, had a good US Open. His desire is back and along with that his enthusiasm. I'm going to get in before Sheena. Ernie Els will win at Royal Birkdale!

This week, the European Tour action comes from Bavaria. The BMW at Eichenreid, just outside Munich is always one of the best events on the Continent and I'm sure will provide four days of fine golf. As always, it is available in high definition.

I'm going to put my feet up and reflect on last week's spectacular. When finished with that, I will look forward to the French Open next week. Keep your own thoughts coming into skysports.com and for those who have e-mailed, thanks for taking the time to do so.

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