[dave.]

Its become fashionable to try and out Tiger Tiger by taking long irons off the tee and then having 240yrd 3 irons into greens, its maybe just arrogance, and in some way just showing off, look at me, I can hit stingers from a million yards. AS much as I enjoy watching Garcia hit those, and with the irons he plays the shots are nothing sort of miraculous, they really have left the door open for a 53 yr old guy to reinvent the spirit of Palmer.

When Nicklaus was plodding his way round at 1 mph, boring everyone to death, Palmer took the game by the scruff of the neck and took a game to Nicklaus. And what has Norman done? Attacked Birkdale, using driver at every opportunity and missing most fairways, but giving him short irons in from the first cut.

I cannot remember enjoying a round of golf on the tele more since Nicklaus in 86 at Augusta. It was enthralling golf of the highest quality, from many players.

But why this fascination for 230yrd approach shots? Can't they hit drivers straight anymore? Tiger invented the stinger, a hold of off of such physical proportions no one else can dom it without breaking their arms. But some, like Garcia seem intent on trying to emulate a shot nearly all the time. It cost him last years Open, FACT. It was ridiculous to leave approaches of 240+ because he used 3 irons off the tee. Norman has at the very least demonstrated what its like to be the best driver of the golf ball the world has ever seen. Probably. Maybe, who knows, but at one point anyway he was undoubtedly the best driver in the world. He thought nothing of taking it out over the last 3 days. The rest have become chicken shit on the tee.

Go Greg! And well done the yanks, it has to be said. Forget Perry or Beem, dull stories, but Curtis, KIm and Love played brilliantly. It should be a great final day