Aug12 USPGA Awards
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The Red Rose Award
To Graeme Storm, who led after his first round 65. This was the third American major in a row which had been led by an Englishman, after Justin Rose at this year’s Masters and Nick Dougherty at the US Open. You won’t be surprised to hear this is the first time this has ever happened.
The History Buff Award
Geoff Ogilvy, having just shot a second round 68 to be 3-under par at halfway, sits in the Media Centre with Tiger still playing the 18th, waiting to see if he is going to be 3 or 4 shots behind Tiger going into the third round. Not only does he want to know how Tiger is doing but he then almost unbelievably says: “It would be kind of cool if he could birdie the last and shoot a 62 because it’s never been done before.” How many other guys would ‘hope’ the world number one was four ahead of him at halfway, rather than three.
The Question of the Week Award
Asked of Open Champion, Padraig Harrington, in his pre-championship press conference on Tuesday. “Padraig, it’s been a few weeks since a European has won a major – will you break the drought this week?”
The Jeremy Fisher Award
Goes to the eccentric Woody Austin, who hooked his second shot on the 16th in the second round. His ball landed on top of a dead frog. “I flipped it off with my wedge,” said Woody squirming, “because I didn’t want to touch it.”
The Applied Mathematics Award
To Boo Weekley who, in the third round wrote a ‘4’ down for his playing partner, Sergio Garcia. In fact, the Spaniard had a 5. Sergio signed his scorecard before anyone noticed and although Boo tried to call him back Sergio walked off. After his agony at Carnoustie, Sergio looked like a someone who had swallowed some bad paella.
The Bravery Award
To the fan who dressed up in full woollen Tiger gear, despite the fact that this was the hottest major on record, averaging 101 degrees and with a heat index which got up to 110. Over 100 people were taken to hospital by the emergency services during the week, some of them with life-threatening conditions.
