UNDER ATTACK
Saudi-backed series weathers storms from protestors as brave Crocker clings on to be the Hero at Fairmont
FROM a flyover in St Albans to skydiving Navy SEALs in Donald Trump’s backyard — it is perhaps no wonder that LIV Golf have called in military support for these opening assaults on golf’s old order. Barely a day has passed without another storm to weather.
Here, the attacks were especially fierce — from outside, where families of 9/11 victims protested at Saudi involvement, and from within the gates, where Trump threatened to turn this event into a three-day rally.
Beneath all the sound and fury, however, a half-decent tournament did break out. As the final round began yesterday, Henrik Stenson led a top ten that included five major champions.
At Fairmont St Andrews, where American Sean Crocker won the Hero Open — his first DP World Tour title — by one shot from England’s Eddie Pepperell, there were none.
On Saturday, Trump National was abuzz as Stenson, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson battled around a course that — let’s not forget — was deemed good enough for the PGA Championship until the January 6 insurrection.
No wonder Reed was asked afterwards: ‘Was this the best day so far for golf’s breakaway tour?’
The 31-year-old American replied: ‘Whenever you add music, add great golf at a golf course that guys are grinding on, knowing that they have to get in position because tomorrow is the last round... fans will feed off of that.’
Reed and Stenson began on hole one, where they were greeted by Trump, Greg Norman and those SEALs.
‘The only place you’ll see that was on a LIV Golf event... it doesn’t get any better.’ Reed added. ‘It just seems to get better and better every single day.’
Back at the relative normality of Fairmont, Crocker held off a dramatic late charge by Pepperell to end a five-year quest for his first professional win.
Pepperell threatened to snatch the prize from the American’s grasp with a closing 65 to move to 21-under-par.
But he ultimately came up one short of forcing a play-off when Crocker made par on the last from five feet for a closing 68.
After feeling like he was enjoying a Sunday afternoon bounce game with his pals for the first 16 holes, Crocker had to overcome a sudden attack of nerves after glancing up at the leaderboard and spotting Pepperell lurking menacingly.
Crocker, who set a new course record 63 in the opening round that was twice bettered by two shots, followed up with scores of 66 and 69 to take a two-shot lead into the final round.
He admitted: ‘I felt the nerves of pressure on 17 all the way to the final putt. I think that was because I knew it was my tournament to win or lose and winning is not easy. Eddie certainly didn’t make it easy for me.
‘Standing over my putt on 18 I was nervous as hell. That putt looked like it was 20 feet and the hole looked like it was half an inch wide.
‘But right off the face I knew it was a well-struck putt. As I looked up and I saw it drop, I was just telling myself not to start crying.
‘That was a pretty special moment and it feels cool winning at the home of golf, especially as I haven’t had the best of showings here, maybe because it’s been cold, windy and rainy.
‘We got a nice bit of weather this week and that helped me out.’
The last time Crocker held a trophy was as an amateur some seven years ago, but he always believed he could eventually convert his potential into success.
‘I felt I could win but it just hadn’t happened,’ he said. ‘Now that I know for sure I can get it across the line, it’s a great feeling.
‘Going through the process earlier this year of nine missed cuts I know how mean this game can be, but winning wire-to-wire feels kinda cool.’
Aberdeen’s David Law, 31, signed for a 68 to share third with Spaniard Adrian Otaegui and finish top Scot on 19-under.