Cabrera Captures, Tiger Fades

Champions seize opportunities. Others forfeit them. Occasionally, opportunities are grand. The vast majority are subtle. They are momentarily insignificant. Upon a competition’s conclusion, they are reexamined. Their value is realized.

On Sunday, Angel Cabrera corralled the United States Open. Despite malicious Oakmont, Cabrera carded a final round one under par, sixty-nine. His total five over par bested Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods (+6). Niclas Fasth (+7) finished fourth. David Toms and Bubba Watson (+9) knotted for fifth.

After closing Saturday with consecutive bogeys, Cabrera commenced Sunday with three pars. He then racked consecutive birdies. Unfortunately, he bogeyed hole six. After paring seven, Cabrera logged a birdie-bogey combination. Standing five over, he tallied a par and birdie split. Following three straight pars, Cabrera birdied fifteen. Despite bogeying sixteen and seventeen, Cabrera completed his round with par.

Challengers entered and exited. Aaron Baddeley commenced Sunday leading. Following Baddeley’s triple bogey, Stephen Ames and Woods assumed command. Ames faltered playing six and seven four over. Paul Casey challenged. Unfortunately, an early bogey disqualified him. Steve Stricker contested with three front nine birdies. Sadly, consecutive double bogeys eliminated him. Finally, Furyk charged with three consecutive birdies. Regrettably, he succumbed with a late bogey.

On Saturday, Woods was poised. He birdied three and four (+3). He then began missing opportunities. Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen. Each were birdies forfeited. After a closing bogey (+4), Woods opened Sunday with consecutive pars. After a bogey-birdie combination, Woods chalked six straight pars. He then bogeyed eleven (+5). The aforesaid was his conclusion. Subsequently, birdie opportunities were registered. However, they were not recorded.

During his career, Woods has won twelve major championships. Prior to the final round, Woods has led on twelve and trailed on twenty-nine occasions. Woods has never come back. He is zero for the twenty-nine. This is not a flaw search. This is a legitimate discussion. Jack Nicklaus won from behind. Why not Tiger?

Oakmont mirrored Augusta. Twice, plebeians faced Tiger. Twice, Tiger appeared inevitable. Twice, Tiger failed. He did not lose. Cabrera and Zach Johnson won. Tiger is an exemplary athlete. He is a champion. However, is he also formally invincible?