ISN'T THAT WHAT THE BRITISH OPEN IS SUPPOSED TO BE?

By Doug McAllister

Perhaps the one major complaint that I have about professional golf today is the highly temperamental nature of the players. The slightest problems with conditions on the course and the complaining begins. This year's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach was awful — complaints ad nauseam that the greens were too fast or the pin placements were unreasonable.

Now, take the Open Championship at St. Andrews as a case in point. Suspension of play because of high winds?! What is that all about? There are supposed to be high winds? Why else did the Scots do so much to invent roll-up shots, for Pete's sake?! I was watching the play and my son asked what was going on. I said that play had been suspended because of high winds. His response was classic: "Isn't that what the British Open is supposed to be?" Absolutely right!

Interestingly, Tiger Woods had just begun play when the suspension was called. Interesting. NO! I am not saying that play was suspended because Tiger Woods — golf's preeminent prima donna — never does well in such classic Open conditions. I'm just saying that it's interesting.

Okay, I'm really mad about this. Mad as hell! This is the sort of thing that makes the Open Championship what it is. This is the very snap of good luck needed to show that St. Andrews is still a viable course in the Open rotation. The course has come under fire of late by many critics. It's too short. It's not challenging enough. Take it out of the rotation except for ceremonious events and such. And, now, when the Old Girl has a chance to beat the crap out of the world's best and reestablish herself as the challenging course that all should consider her to be — especially when there are intense weather conditions...PLAY SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF HIGH WINDS!

I say let 'em play. Sure, they'll squeal like pigs about conditions being unfair with Tiger being the lead singer and making up the entire soprano section. Let 'em squeal! Again, isn't that what the British Open is supposed to be?!

I'll be back on more from the Open Championship and, hopefully very soon, they'll be allowed to be out on the course very soon — wind and all — trying to Hit 'em long and straight!