It’s golf, but not as we know it.
When is it ever okay to cheer when an opponent misses a putt, or lands in a bunker or misses the fairway? Here at Royal Melbourne it’s how the mood has grown each and every day – the deepest crowds the course has seen for a while and roars usually reserved for a blockbuster at the MCG.
It sets up for an amazing finish tomorrow.
On Friday however International Captain Ernie Els was asked about team culture, and he was glad to have the question. It’s important to him. He said the international team had started to develop a culture that had been missing so far, that the players were closer, building friendships. You could see it on the course today as the International team fought from being down in every match to finish at 10-8 and with a chance to win tomorrow.
You could feel it in the crowds too. They sense something special is happening. As the international team fought down the back, the cheers got louder – heard easily back at the clubhouse. The banter became more rancorous. The players and their entourages urged the crowds to get louder, and they responded.
Tomorrow could be a classic, with an international team needing only a handful of wins to clinch their first Cup outright and with a passionate crowd behind them, and Americans who have been solid all week and yet to really unleash the fullness of their talents.
On course – places to watch
Tomorrow you can expect deep galleries all around the course, and Tiger’s off in the first group at 10.02am so you’ll need to be there early to see him tee off. Once he tees off get a good position on the approach shot into the fourth and watch the groups go through. The view of the elevated green there is spectacular and it’ll be like a gladiator pit if the pin is tucked behind the left-hand bunker again.
Other great viewing spots – the approach shot into the 10th, behind the green on 16, 5, and the 18th. If this event goes down to the final group on the 18th tomorrow it’s perfect to view on all sides.