Phil...you broke my heart
 

Oh man... so close. If it weren't for that damn double on 17. I really thought magic was gonna happen again, especially after he had that run of birdies and Goosen was struggling. Oh well, hopefully next year, and finishing 2nd three times at a very difficult major is nothing to be ashamed about.

That being said, hats off to Retief Goosen. When he was in trouble and it certainly looked like he was gonna drop a stroke or two, he pulled out some clutch putting. 11 one-putts for the round? Amazing.

I can't deny Goosen that win. He played some clutch golf coming down the line. His putting was incredible on the back nine. I really feel bad for Phil. He played so well, and had so many people cheering him on. I don't know what happend on 17, but there's no shame in 2nd. As many times as he's been runner-up in majors, he gets my vote for one of the best of all time. He always seems to be in contention. I wish him the best of luck.

Hats off to Goosen and I am a huge Mickelson fan but a three putt from 5 feet? Who was swinging the flat blade, Phil Mickelson or Punxsutawney Phil? Did he see his shadow? I hope not the latter because I can't take 6 more years of his choking in majors.

It was a great tournament for sure. Looks like everybody in the field got all the 'cock they could handle. Too hard? Everybody had to play the same course. I say it really finds out who the best player is.

Oh did I mention I went and played Bethpage on Friday and then went to the Open on Sat. and Sun.? You weren't allowed cameras or phones inside during the event so I went out to the car after and got my camera phone and my putter and did a little 'night putting'.

Me on the second green with the clubhouse in the background
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Da...23_21Jun04.jpg

My buddy Ken putting on the second green....
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Da...33_21Jun04.jpg

he choked.....again

Tough what happened. I'm disinclined to use the choke label - the average score on the day was 79 by the best players in the world, and no one broke par, one guy shot even par.

Goosen just had nerves of steel - even if Phil shot par, he would've lost I think -3 to -4? Goosen had 12 one putts, that's incredible on that course, in those conditions.

Sorry, he did choke. I don't care what the conditions were like. What would you call three putting from 5 feet away? I like the guy a whole lot and he did play very very well but the fact remains he choked.

Try putting that green and say it again.

Look, Goosen shot 1 over, Phil shot 1 over - those were the 2nd best scores of the day. It's how you play for 72 holes that counts, that's why they play 4 rounds. Since none of us here has likely played those greens when they are running a 13 on the stimp meter, its silly to call it a choke.

IMO, if Phil went out and shot 80, he choked. He shot a very, very good score, it wasn't enough.

I wouldn't be putting on those greens. I am not one of the best professional golfers in the world. "Drive for show and putt for dough". If he shot an 80 I would say he imploded not choked. Again, 3 putting from 5 feet to win his second consecutive major is choking. Regardless of what the stimp meter says or how difficult the course is playing. When push came to shove and the tournament was his for the taking he saw his shadow. I love Phil but the fact remains when the chips were on the table he folded.

Even if he makes par he still doesn't win.

Anyway, I think if you shoot the 2nd best score of the day, it's hard to say the guy choked.