The Karlsson Krash

I’m sitting here watching Loren Ochoa make yet another birdie to take a 4 stroke lead over the field in the ADT Championship finals (I love this format!) and am still dumbfounded by Robert Karlsson’s crash and burn on the last hole of a tournament that appeared to be his before the day began. I guess I shouldn’t assume Lorena will win given her 4 shot lead, given Karlsson had that same advantage starting his final round as well (I thought I’d share with you yesterday’s Bangkok Post with all the coverage they gave from ADT, Hong Kong and Poulter in Japan because today’s papers haven’t given much coverage to golf yet).

Boy, that was sad to watch! But given his behavior the last few holes, I guess I shouldn’t have been all that surprised. I bet he took a drink between every shot (I know what that dry, constricting throat feels like). You could see he was feeling the pressure. And then being “on the clock” and losing patience more than once with the crowd could not have been good for his focus or game either. But I felt so bad for him.

Now, don’t get me wrong…I really like Miguel Angel Jimenez (one of my faves) and was thrilled that he won, but I bet he didn’t want to win it that way (although he wouldn’t turn it down). I bet KJ Choi was kicking himself for hitting driver off the tee and blowing the last hole (reminded me of a Mickelson play). If he’d played it safer (I would suggest smarter), he’d have been in a playoff.

Now Paula just birdied the 7th hole and Natalie landed in the drink, recovering with a fabulous bogey. Back to the excitement – don’t you just love this game!? 🙂

Golfgal

Bangkok Post
18 Nov 2007