John Helm: Eyes wide open
IF THERE’S one thing I hate, it’s alarm clocks.
You only use them to get out of bed before you really want to – and they make a heck of a din when all you want to do is sleep.
Anything before 8.00am is considered ungodly in the Helm household, so imagine my horror at the prospect of a 5.00 summons tomorrow morning.
I recoiled in disbelief at the news that I’m required to gaze into a camera lens as the first ball is being struck in tomorrow’s 138th Open golf championship at Turnberry at 6.30am.
My eyes will be slits and I don’t advise anyone of a squeamish disposition to linger on my appearance as I proclaim “So the 2009 Open golf championship is underway” on Opengolf.com
It will not be a pretty sight.
To be fair this is one piece of sporting theatre that I can get up for – albeit with a tinge of resentment.
I’ve been privileged to cover most of THE Opens that have been staged since my first in 1975, and have a host of wonderful memories.
Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus slugging it out shot for shot on the final day here at Turnberry in 1977, Nicklaus’ tear-jerking farewell pose on the Swilken Bridge at St Andrews, Tiger Woods’ march to victory in 2000, Paul Lawrie’s twilight triumph after Jean Van de Velde’s rolling up of a trouser leg and paddle in the burn at Carnoustie. All indelibly etched into the mind, all images from one of sport’s most severe examinations.
Mere mortals don’t win the old claret jug.
Watson, Greg Norman and Nick Price triumphed over the Ailsa course on the three previous occasions the Open was contested here, and a player of equal stature will raise the trophy aloft come Sunday night.
I’m at Turnberry in a working capacity, presenting Opengolf.com on the internet – but it’s amazing how the event magnetises people for different reasons.
