Harrington Survives, Scores British Open

Golf is unscripted drama. The actors are athletes. The sets are picturesque and treacherous. The plot twists are inspiring, infuriating, and occasionally inhumane. When the scenes conclude, characters cannot exit. Their anguish and exultation remain public.

On Sunday, Padraig Harrington survived the British Open. Despite torturous setbacks, Harrington defeated Sergio Garcia in a four hole, aggregate score playoff. Andres Romero (-6) finished third. Ernie Els and Richard Green (-5) knotted for fourth.

Holding a one-stroke edge, Harrington drove the hazardous eighteenth. His drive bounced thrice and found the water. Harrington’s second shot also drowned. Eventually, Harrington carded a double bogey. This elevated Garcia. Three shots subsequent, Garcia faced opportunity. Unfortunately, he missed. Garcia’s winning par putt failed.

Despite despair, Harrington regrouped. He drove and birdied the opening hole. Conversely, Garcia stumbled and bogeyed. Subsequently, Harrington recorded consecutive pars. Garcia overdrove the sixteenth hole and missed successive birdies. Afforded another opportunity, Harrington garnered victory via bogey.

On Sunday, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, and the Sopranos were trumped. Two men confronted opportunity. Each failed spectacularly. Amidst adversity, one responded. One corralled victory. One failed once again.