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 Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Not So Deep Thoughts: A U.S. Open Win Worth Waiting For
Posted by Tuff Stuff
Anybody who has ever read my blog knows I'm a big fan of the game of
golf. Some might even say fanatical. It's not that I'm that good at it
or anything, there's just something about the game and the possibility
that on any given day, everything can come together and you can post
your best-ever score. Part of the lure of the game is also about being
outside on a warm, sunny day, although I've had just as much fun
playing on some colder days when the wind was blowing harder than my
John Daly-like swing (minus the eye-popping results) so maybe the
outdoor element doesn't factor in as much as I initially thought.
Whatever it is, I'm drawn to the game like no other and the story of Lucas Glover's win at the U.S. Open makes me enjoy it just that much more. 
Sure, I would've enjoyed watching Tiger
make another late-round charge with the massive galleries of people on
hand erupting in unison as he climbed up the leaderboard, but there's
something about a longshot defying the odds as well. Glover was such an
underdog coming into the tournament that oddsmakers didn't assign any
specific odds for him. So, if you were looking to wager on the
now-famous Clemson alum you would've had to do so via a 5-1 "field"
pick of the other guys the sportsbooks deemed a waste of time. One
England-based book did acknowledge Glover's chances, deeming him a
400-1 shot but my guess is Glover himself would've passed on those odds
as well.
And its understandable why many would've overlooked Glover coming in.
Sure, he had several solid showings this year, but had never even made
a cut at the U.S. Open in three previous tries and had never finished
higher than 20th in any of the majors he had teed it up in. But that's
why the game is so great, because before the first ball is teed up on
Thursday, the tournament is there for the taking for anybody in the
field.
Glover, 29, somehow did the unthinkable and held off late surges by
accomplished players like David Duval (who's comeback was equally as
unlikely as Glover's victory) and Phil Mickelson, and that's why the
game is so great. They say that on any given Sunday any team can put it
all together and pull a major upset in the NFL, and as teams like the
2006 Cardinals and 2007 Rockies proved, getting hot at the right time
can propel a team into the World Series, but golf, unlike any of the
other major sports, affords the opportunity for anybody in the field to
turn four solid days of play into a life-altering event.
And while Glover's humbled and somewhat shocked demeanor after winning
the championship may have made it seem as though he was taking the win
in stride, I'd give you 400-1 odds he was bordering on hyperventilating
on the inside. And why wouldn't he be? He just won the U.S. Open. The
tournament every American golfer dreams of winning and every
professional player worldwide covets. He instantly became $1.3 million
richer (the winner's purse) and will undoubtedly be signing several new
endorsement deals that will triple those totals. He'll also be hitting
the celebrity circuit in the next few days, making appearances on
Letterman, Leno and Conan, not to mention spots on SportsCenter, The
Today Show, and of course, what championship run would be complete
without a parade at Disneyland.
You wouldn't think four solid days of play could change a person's life
so dramatically and that the days prior to the win will soon be viewed
as ancient history, but that's exactly what's on tap for Lucas Glover.
A dream ride into the golf's brightest spotlight, a whirlwind
cross-country tour and highered expectations ever time he tees it up
from this point forward. And while it will likely seem a little
overwhelming at times for the unassuming North Carolina native, I'm
guessing all the extra fuss will be worth it every time he looks at the
new shiny, silver trophy on his mantle. He won the U.S. Open playing
the game he loves. And watching his incredible and unlikely journey
unfold is just one of the many reasons the game of golf can be so sweet. Ya gotta love it.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:00:10 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00) 
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