Les he comentado en otro momento sobre algunos detalles de este torneo de golf que es el más tradicional y antiguo del planeta, se disputa desde 1860 y este año cumplió 153 ediciones.
En mi nota de pocos días atrás, enfoqué los datos y mis apreciaciones principalmente a destacar el trofeo que se entrega al ganador, la Claret Jug o "jarra de clarete" si lo prefieren en nuestro idioma materno. Si el torneo es tan tradicional, no lo es menos la copa que se entrega al ganador y de allí mi intención de que conozcan no solamente el deporte del golf sino también las singularidades que lo rodea.
Pero ciertamente hubo torneo, es el cuarto y último torneo mayor de la temporada e integrante del Grand Slam del golf junto al Masters de Augusta, el PGA Championship y el US Open; se desarrolló en los links del Royal Portrush Golf Club, ubicado en la localidad de Portrush, Irlanda del Norte.
Este torneo, que por otra parte es el único de los cuatro majors que se disputa fuera de los Estados Unidos, rota de escenario anualmente y lo hace entre 10 clubes, 9 de ellos se encuentran repartidos entre Inglaterra y Escocia y solo uno, el Royal Portrush en Irlanda del Norte.
El ganador fue nada menos que el número uno del ranking mundial, el norteamericano Scottie Scheffler quien justificó e hizo honor a su privilegiada ubicación en el ranking que clasifica a todos los jugadores integrantes del PGA tour.
La carrera de Scheffler a estas alturas ya es digna del salón de la fama, debutó com profesional en 2020 y hasta 2022 nunca había ganado un torneo, aunque estuvo en varias definiciones. A partir de entonces, en menos de 3 años, ha triunfado en 17 oportunidades incluyendo 4 títulos en torneos mayores contando el obtenido en el día de ayer. Algunos se atreven a ver similitudes en su juego, aunque más en su actitud dominante, con el de Tiger Woods.
Una carrera meteórica que augura muchos más títulos si tenemos en cuenta que aún no llega a los 30 años de edad y en este deporte la plenitud del desarrollo como golfista se considera que a esa edad está en sus comienzos.
Scheffler tomó la punta del torneo apenas comenzada la 3°vuelta y no la abandonó más, inclusive llegó a tener 7 golpes de ventaja sobre sus perseguidores, finalmente terminó a 4 de diferencia, aunque en su favor podemos decir que tuvo muchísimas posibilidades de ampliarlas, algo que finalmente no ocurrió por falta de puntería para embocar las varias oportunidades para birdie que tuvo en los últimos hoyos.
Scheffer ha declarado a varios medios especializados que el golf no es lo principal en su vida sino su familia, tiene esposa y un pequeño hijo, son los que lo motivan. Se le nota sencillo, cerebral y calmo, algo fundamental para jugar al golf visto sus resultados, muy lejos del histrionismo, el enojo, la impostura soberbia y las declaraciones rimbombantes que en ocasiones ataca a aquellos a los que el éxito les sonríe. Bien por Scottie.
No podemos dejar de destacar que su éxito en esta competencia le ha sumado 3.1 millones de dólares a su abultada billetera que acumula solamente en premios más de 90 millones desde su debut, un buen respaldo para disfrutar de la familia y su entorno.
Terminó la temporada de torneos mayores, pero todavía queda mucho golf en lo que resta del año calendario, la Ryder Cup que enfrenta a un combinado de los mejores golfistas norteamericanos contra los mejores de Europa se disputará en septiembre próximo en el Bethpage Black de Farmingdale, Nueva York, Estados Unidos, también queda la definición de la FedEx Cup y varios torneos de importancia.
Alguna vez dije que, a diferencia de otros deportes, el golf no se detiene, aquí está la prueba.
The Open Championship for number one
I've previously shared some details about this golf tournament, the most traditional and oldest on the planet. It has been held since 1860, and this year marks its 153rd edition.
In my note from a few days ago, I primarily focused on the information and thoughts regarding the trophy awarded to the winner, the Claret Jug. If the tournament is so traditional, the cup awarded to the winner is no less so, and hence my intention is to educate you not only about the sport of golf but also about the unique features surrounding it.
But there was certainly a tournament. It is the fourth and final major tournament of the season and part of the Grand Slam of golf, along with the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the US Open. It took place on the links of the Royal Portrush Golf Club, located in Portrush, Northern Ireland.
This tournament, which is the only one of the four majors held outside the United States, rotates venues annually and is played among 10 clubs, nine of which are located between England and Scotland, and only one, Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
The winner was none other than world number one Scottie Scheffler, an American who justified and honored his privileged position in the ranking that classifies all players on the PGA Tour.
Scheffler's career at this point is already worthy of the Hall of Fame. He made his professional debut in 2020 and until 2022 had never won a tournament, although he appeared in several finals. Since then, in less than three years, he has triumphed 17 times, including four major titles, including yesterday's. Some dare to see similarities in his game, although more in his dominant attitude, with that of Tiger Woods.
A meteoric career that promises many more titles if we consider that he's not yet 30 years old, and in this sport, the fullness of a golfer's development is considered to be in its infancy at that age.
Scheffler took the lead of the tournament just after the third round and never relinquished it. He even had a seven-stroke lead over his pursuers, eventually finishing four behind. However, to his credit, he had many opportunities to extend his lead, something that ultimately didn't happen due to his lack of accuracy in sinking the several birdie opportunities he had in the final holes.
Scheffer has told various specialized media outlets that golf isn't the main focus of his life, but rather his family. He has a wife and a young son, and they are what motivate him. He appears straightforward, cerebral, and calm, which is essential for playing golf, judging by his results, a far cry from the histrionics, anger, arrogant posturing, and bombastic statements that sometimes attack those who are successful. Good for Scottie.
We can't help but highlight that his success in this competition has added $3.1 million to his already bulging wallet, which has accumulated over $90 million in prize money alone since his debut. a good way to enjoy time with his family and his surroundings.
The major tournament season is over, but there's still plenty of golf left in the calendar year. The Ryder Cup, which pits a team of the best North American golfers against the best in Europe, will be played next September at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, USA. There's also the FedEx Cup finals and several other important tournaments to come.
I once said that, unlike other sports, golf doesn't stop, and here's the proof.
Héctor Gugliermo
@hosgug