From O’malley in overdrive to Fowler’s final blitz
James Corrigan sifts though some stirring memories to select his five best Scottish Opens
All eyes were on the British debut of American amateur Tiger Woods, with Scotland’s own teenaged boy wonder Gordon Sherry (below) providing a delicious storyline. Sherry took the honours, finishing fourth and the next week at The Open at St Andrews famously “beat” Woods again after the pair had personally waged a pound. In the event itself, another unlikely Australian – this time the future Sky Sports pundit, Wayne “Radar” Riley – arrived late on the scene to deny Faldo and Montgomerie. “How could I possibly feel any better than I do now?” So, after so many near misses, Colin Montgomerie finally became just the second home winner of the Scottish Open, emulating Jimmy Adams’s win in 1936. This was such a commanding performance by Montgomerie, as he converted a four-stroke deficit into a three-stroke win with a brilliant Sunday 64.
At the peak of his powers, the eight-time European No1 reeled off a remarkable nine birdies in 12 holes to deny the 19-year-old Sergio Garcia The left-hander had waited more than 20 years for his first top-flight professional win on European soil and when it arrived it was characteristically earned with trademark thrills and spills. Mickelson only needed a two-putt on the 18th to ensure the win, but contrived to take three and was forced into a sudden death play-off with South African Branden Grace. No matter, a sumptuous chip on the first extra hole claimed the glory for Mickelson and set him up to make history by winning The Open at Muirfield the following week. The American is a crowd favourite in Scotland with his flamboyant, swashbuckling nature so attuned to the links. He required all of this talent to launch a blitz in the final four holes to deny countryman Matt Kuchar and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin on a spellbinding East Lothian afternoon which earlier featured Glaswegian Marc Warren posting a 64 to hold the clubhouse lead. Fowler’s challenge was wavering until he birdied three of that last quartet, leaving the best to last. Needing a three to prevail, Fowler hit a magnificent wedge to within 18 inches. The shot of a champion.