In today's New York Times, Thomas Friedman took a break from his usual commentary which focuses on globalization, foreign policy and Middle Eastern affairs, to write about his friend Tom Watson.
Friedman is an award-winning author and journalist. He contributes a bi-weekly column to the New York Times and has won multiple Pulitzer Prizes for his coverage of international events. He's also written best-selling books, such as "The World is Flat."
The inclusion of the story of Watson and how the 59-year-old golfer touched fellow players and non-golfers around the globe reaffirms to me that the story of the year in golf will undoubtedly be one that was unwritten before our eyes when Watson pushed an eight-foot putt on the 72nd hole at Turnberry.
Friedman wrote about watching Watson's historic run in Afghanistan to open his piece:
"So to let him know just how many people wanted him to win, I e-mailed him before the final round: "Even the Taliban are rooting for you."
Friedman highlighted a discussion between Watson and his caddie, where his caddie called Watson's performance an "Affirmation of life" for many people his age watching.
As Friedman points out, Watson eventually came up short because of a bad bounce, something that happens in life and golf that's out of our control. what I will carry with me from watching Watson fail to Claim his sixth Claret Jug, and reading about the public reaction to it, is that we often focus too much on finding a perfect ending. Perhaps American Idol and or the latest Kevin Costner film (not Tin Cup) has conditioned our nation to believe in so-called "Happy Endings," but they don't always happen.
No matter our given profession or position in life, we get out of bed and carry on because of possibility, whether that be the unexpected or something better. Watson's performance reminded us that anything is possible.
Friedman's article is a good read, and one final tribute to Tom Waton's magical Open Championship.
This week Tom Watson is competing in his third consecutive major championship; the Senior U.S. Open Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana.