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I spent a lovely weekend away deep in the Yorkshire Dales and away from all things technological such as mobile phones, the internet and even newspapers.  Needless to say Radio 5 Live was out of the question as well.  This was all very restful (apart from a hike up a hill or two) and the company and beer/wine were excellent, but his all meant that not only did I need to wait until Sunday afternoon for the football results but also for the status of the golf.

Before I went away I was tempted by a flutter on the golf hedging my bets and going each way on Graham Storm and struggling to decide between Retief Goosen and Ernie Els.  A couple of reasons for this.  First up I felt it just might have been the year of the first timer with the other 3 majors all going to first time winners, and secondly that in temperatures of over 100 degrees somebody used to that sort of heat might come through it - somebody from South Africa for example.  Then with Goosen having had the slightly better round and having won in Tulsa before I thought he might at least get placed.  Imagine my joy then to see on Sunday afternoon that not only had Pompey managed to draw against relegation hopefuls Derby, but Goosen and Storm had both dropped way down the field.

I was then tempted to throw good money after bad by backing Els who was still in the running at least to get placed.  Only the bookies wouldnt accept an each way bet at that point so it was all or nothing with odds of 40-1.  I procrastinated as the odds dropped to 33-1 and then took the plunge.  A clever move by the bookies really - make all the other contenders really long odds and Woods 1-40 in the hope that mugs like yours truely wood think it worth a flutter.

It so nearly worked though.  Ernie off to a flyer and Woods uncharacteristically looking nervous and uncomfortable in the heat.  But no sooner had Woods dropped a shot he bounced back while Ernie missed a couple of golden chances to birdie so it still looked unlikely. 

Then in the closing holes Woody Austin (who? I hear you ask), found his touch and started knocking in birdies from all over and chipping in to save parr.  Els started to go backwards and I knew I had taken a sucker bet, but I was hopeful that Austin would provide some excitement and break Woods strangle hold on the sport.  But it was not to be.  Love him or hate him, Woods has nerves of steel and the skill to back them up - I think the only pressure he really felt was the pressure he put on himself, not only to chase down Jack Nicklaus’s record but also in maintaining his amazing statistic off never having lost when taking a lead into the final day.  To know how difficult that is you only need to look at Sergio Garcia, who blew up in his final round at the Open. 

So Woods fought off the unlikely challenge of Austin as well as Els and made it lucky number 13 and has now won a major in 3 consecutive seasons - it would be a brave man to bet against him making the magic 19 and beating Nicklaus’s record, especially as so many players seem to beat themselves when facing him - Stephen Ames could probably right a book on that subject having been soundly thrased all 7 times he has played with the Master.