It didn’t seem to get a lot of attention - mainly because it involves golfers named Greg Owen and Rod Pampling - but what Owen did was positively brutal.
He had never won before on tour, he was playing great golf, he seemed to have it wrapped up… he had a three shot lead with two holes to play. But on 17, he lipped out a 10-footer for par, leaving him with 40 inches for bogey, and still a two-stroke lead. His next putt did not touch the cup. He rushed to the next two-footer, and lipped it out. Ooooomph.
The list of things that are gone:
• His first tournament win
• An invite to the Masters
• $396,000
• Any reputation he was hoping to build
• All self-esteem
I hurt for the man. I hope he finds a way to win next week at The Players Championship. But if he does come to 17 on Sunday with a lead… well… the 17th this weekend will be an island green that has historically caused people to shiver in terror. It could be ugly.
Best of luck to Greg Owen. Really.
Adam Says:
March 21st, 2006 at 2:46 pm
Damn that’s sad. Meltdowns in golf are always especially painful to see. Not sure if it’s because it’s so slow moving and so the moment is streached out, or because anyone who’s played it knows how inheriently frustrating game is, but for some reason people blowing leads in golf always makes me feel bad for them.
Andy Says:
March 21st, 2006 at 10:50 pm
I think it’s that damn crowd going “ohhhhh” after every missed shot. Just makes me feel even worse.