2010 U.S. Open - Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda

I just witnessed a debacle of a final round at the U.S. Open, where it was clear no one was willing to reach out and grab their destiny. Starting with Dustin Johnson, on down to Phil Mickelson, and even Tiger Woods, it was clear the best players just didn't have the game to go out and win this golf tournament.

So, the tournament came down to a couple Europeans. One, a solid player from Northern Ireland, Graeme McDowell. The other, an unknown Frenchman, Gregory Havret, ranked 391 in the world. Havret played the steadiest golf of anyone in the final groups.

At one point in the round, Ernie Els looked like the man to beat, as he got it to -3 early. This was as Dustin Johnson decided he had no business competing for the title, and played himself out of the tournament with a triple bogey and double bogey early, on his way to a round in the 80s. He clearly didn't believe he belonged.

I have to say that this generation of golfers, while clearly having more depth, it's stars, except Tiger Woods of course, rarely show up and win...they typically back into winning these majors when Tiger has shot himself in the foot. Occasionally, we've seen some good golf to win, usually at the Masters or the British Open. Never have we seen any big head to head duals involving Tiger Woods and any of his chief rivals. The usually scenario was that he would make a birdie or two early and the others would wilt away. While I view Tiger as the most talented golfer the game has seen, Nicklaus had to fend off far more quality challengers such as Palmer, Player, Watson, Trevino, Casper, Miller, etc. Have we ever seen a true Woods-Mickelson dual in a major? Never. What about Woods-Els? Nada. How about Woods-Singh? Nope.

Greatness is evident when a player reaches out and grabs the tournament, or survives a tough challenge from a gritty competitor. Tiger has been great many times, but he was never challenged when he had his A game.

Today, there were four 68s and a 69 at Pebble Beach, but no one close to the lead even came close to breaking par. The winner, Graeme McDowell, backs into the win with a 74. Congratulations to him, but just once I would like to see the best players in the world all playing well at once in a major. Today, the best man did not win, but the last man standing simply choked the least.