Ok, Ok, I got it wrong

Sometimes you have to admit when you get it a bit wrong. Last week I foolishly predicted that the winner of this year's British Open would not truly feel like a champion due to the absence from the field of a Mr T. Woods from America. How wrong I was. While it is impossible to predict whether Woods' absence had any affect on the players, allowing them to relax a little, this certainly was the greatest Open in recent history.

It could have all gone so wrong though. At the start of the tournament the world number one's name was thrown about in almost every sentence and when Sandy Lyle, a former champion of this event, left the course in a sulk after just ten holes many, including myself, believed that Royal Birkdale's first open in a decade was to be a nightmare.

However, Saturday arrived and Woods and Lyle were forgotten and there were other names to be focussed on. Most prominent of these was The Great White Shark, Greg Norman. The fifty-three year old who admits he occassionally plays golf in between pursuing his many business interests sat atop the leader board hoping to reclaim the trophy he last one back in 1993. Many, once again I was in that group, believed his presence at the top was just a quick visit before disappearing into the pack. However, the Australian was still leading the field on Sunday morning and put up a valiant fight in the final round to finish in a very strong third place.

Chris Wood, the Bristolian bean-pole was another to come away with much credit from the week. The twenty year old playing in his first major gave himself a real chance of collecting the Claret Jug before eventually finishing fifth-although he might want to invest in some sun cream when he returns next year.

Even Ian Poulter very nearly ended a tournament with more said about his golf than his fashion but the horrendous pink trousers he wore on the final day were just too ridiculous to be ignored. The Englishman, however, put up an incredibly brave fight to push the eventual winner all the way.

That winner, for the second time running, was Irishman Padraig Harrington. The holder was expected not to enter the tournament earlier in the week due to a wrist injury, but he put in one of the greatest performances in recent years to pick up the coveted trophy, symbolised by an incredible approach to the par five 18th that all but confirmed his victory.

In the end I admit to getting it wrong, and will be gladly proved wrong again if it leads to more great events like this weekend's.