Yesterday was final round of the 90th PGA Championship at Oakland Hills CC in Bloomfield.  Padraig Harrington emerged victorious, making clutch putts down the stretch, including at 15 footer at 18, while Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis faltered on the back nine of the Monster.  But the coolest thing about the final day of this major was that I was able to watch it in person.

This was the first time I have ever attended a round of competetive golf.  I saw a practice round at Augusta National a few years back, and that was great, but mainly because I was able to walk around on the hallowed home of the Masters.  But the crowds, the heat, the long day of a golf tournament, these are usually things this blogger likes to avoid.  When a friend called and asked if I wanted to go to the Sunday round I told him I’d have to call him back.  Why stand around in the August heat for 10 hours, struggling to see anything, when I could be on my couch, watching every shot in crystal clear HD, along with the Tigers game, the Olympics and Steel Magnolias?  Why?  Because it’s the final day of a major, you fat slob!  It’s one of the four days of the year in golf that matter (Sorry, FedEx Cup).  Sunday.  At a major championship.  And it’s in your own backyard!  So I called my friend back and accepted. 

The day turned to be as enjoyable as I could have hoped for.  The weather was cool and a little rainy, not perfect, but I prefer it to hot and humid.  The crowds weren’t bad, probably paritally due to the weather and, well, I said I wouldn’t mention it.  We walked the course a bit then hung around at the par 3 third for maybe 10 or more groups and moved on the the eighth.  We showed up just as Phil Mickelson’s group was there, and when they moved on to number 9, so did the Phil Phollowers, and we snagged their seats in the bleachers and watched the next several pairings play through, including the leaders.  We did the same at number 12.  Then we made our way to 18.  We got a pretty good view, and settled in to watch the last 6 or 7 groups come through.  We saw Steve Flesch hole an eagle from the eighteenth fairway, igniting the crowd.  We watched the leader board as Curtis, one time leader of the tournament at -4, wearing Deroit Lions team gear as part of his Reebok sponsorship, fell apart in the fourth quarter day of this major championship.  It had been the joke of the day in the galleries that he was sure to be cursed by donning the honolulu blue, and it became fact.  The leader board also showed us that Harrington had made birdie at 17, and Garcia had not, giving the Irishman a one stroke lead into the last hole.  On 18, Harrington executed his approach and putt, while Garcia did not, giving him his second major championship in a month, and giving Sergio another dagger in the heart at the hands of Harrington.  It was an undoubtedly fun and exciting day.  Next time, despite my lameness hesitations, I’m sure I’ll jump at the chance to attend a major championship.