In my previous life as the GM of the tennis center at Craiglockhart I learned that grass court tennis in particular can be pretty boring to watch, until the drama of the match builds and comes to an exciting climax in the 5th set. Due to the surface, it can become serve, return, volley, point.
I sat 3 rows from the net on center court at Wimbeldon for the epic 1980 Borg / McEnroe final and despite the huge tension in the crowd caused by the expectation of another McEnroe outburst the first 3 sets were just that, however the drama that unfolded as he won the 4th 18-16 tie break set was unbearable, every shot crucial in every rally crucial.. it's all in the record books.
Golf this weekend, was much the same as it is every week, the first 3 rounds set the table for Sunday, and this Sunday with a lot at stake, provided more than usual drama, which made it exciting until the end.
Champions Tour: Charles Schwab Cup Championship here.
With both the season long Cup winner and the actual Championship on the line there were a plethora of storylines and this day in the Charles Schwab Cup didn't disappoint.
Coles note version: Phil Mickelson put a lot of fans through the Phoenix CC gates and on Sunday the maestro came through with birdies on his last 3 holes for a -6 65 -19 total to win the Championship, joining Jack Nicklaus who also won 4 of his first 6 Senior Tour events.
Jim Furyk had the lead and the possibility of winning both titles but he faltered, finally shooting 71 to place 5th, thus allowing Bernhard Langer (69) who was watching from the clubhouse to capitalize on his season's points and claim his 6th Charles Schwab Cup.
Stephen Ames was right in contention until a double bogey 5 at the 15th dropped him out of contention final finishing T7 -15, an excellent week, and the other Steven, Alker continued his torrid streak finishing T2 -18 just a shot behind. What drama !
Mike Weir 74 T32 -2.
LPGA: Pelican Women's Championship final scoreboard here
Brooke Henderson had a terrific 65, 65 weekend to end up in 5th -14, just 3 shots out of a playoff, adding yet another top 10 to her resume.
Alena Sharp 69 T52 -3
Meanwhile following behind them more drama.
What was heading to be a two horse race between Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson, all fell apart late in the day with Korda hacking her way to a triple bogey on the 17th to fall out of the lead to 2 shots behind. Recovering with a birdie on 18 for -1 69 she got into a playoff at -17 when Thompson made bogey's on her last 2 holes.
Lydia Ko (66) was ready to pack her bags, as was Sei Young Kim (67) but at -17 they all went back out to a playoff which Korda won with a birdie for her 4th title this year.
PGA Tour: Houston Open final leaderboard here.
American Jason Kokrak made 4 straight late birdies for -5 65 for a two shot victory his 3rd in 13 months. Mind you he was 2 shots behind Scottie Scheffler (69) with just 6 holes to play. Scheffler made 3 late bogey's looking for his 1st win, finished T2 with Kevin Tway (68)
Mac Hughes with a 71 T29 E, Nick Taylor 68, T41 +2. Sloan, Pendrith, Silverman, Svensson all missed the cut.
Bryan Angus
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