An astonishing and often manic final day here saw an errant John Cook relinquish a winning position on Sunday night before falling to defeat against his fellow American Bruce Vaughan at the first extra play-off hole.
It also allowed Cook, 50, to revisit a feeling of personal desolation on a Scottish championship links course that one imagined he had left behind some time ago.
Cook was once rated among the world's 10 best players and was part of a US win in the 1993 Ryder Cup, but he is best remembered for squandering a lead in the final two holes of the 1992 British Open at Muirfield.
Nick Faldo benefited from Cook's errors to become Open champion, and Vaughan played the Faldo role to perfection as his refusal to fade away enabled him to outlast his playing partner.
Cook went out in 32 strokes to increase his overnight lead from one stroke to three on 10 under, but a closing nine of 39 saw him drop back to level par for the day and into an excruciating shootout. A double bogey six at the 11th hole started the unravelling, and a bogey at the 12th saw him drop back towards Vaughan and the rest of the field.
He held a one-shot lead standing on the 18th hole, but was short of the green and while Vaughan slotted a birdie to card a closing 70 Cook three putted for a 71 to slip to six under.
Replaying the 18th in the play-off, Vaughan hit his drive down the fairway before knocking a six-iron to within 20 feet of the hole and cleanly knocked in the birdie.
Cook, whose second shot put him within 12 feet of the pin, sent his third just past the hole to the right.
Cook had spoken about how winning would help to rid himself of the angst of a bogey-bogey finish that did for him at Muirfield all those years ago, but he probably did not envisage the trauma that was about to visit him in his final round.
Time is a good healer, but Cook suddenly has the mental luggage of these ghoulish happenings at Royal Troon to accompany him back to the US.
He would have been advised to avoid the local newspapers yesterday morning, with several tabloid headlines branding him a choker.
Cook felt that Vaughan won the tournament rather than him losing it.
"The Open of 1992 never entered my mind, but it will now," he said.
"Bruce won it. He played his heart out. I just couldn't get the job done."
Too many cooks spoil the broth, and too many bogeys spoil a round.
Vaughan lost his mother Maxine in June after her car collided with a delivery lorry. The pain of losing this tournament was hardly going to numb his senses.
He was tearful in victory, yet Cook had every right to feel as watery.
That Vaughan managed to exhibit such a stimulating quality of golf is a tribute to his own character.
As well as the mental scars of his mother's death, Vaughan also had to contend with multiple operations on a knee injury over the past two years.
It was his first career victory at the age of 51, but he picked a fine week in which to develop a winning habit. He finalised a place in next year's British Open at nearby Turnberry and a £157,918 (Dh1.15million) cheque by holing a 15-foot putt on the first extra hole, while Cook missed his attempt.
"I hit three of the best shots I hit in the tournament on 18," he said.
"He had to make his putt to extend the play-off. You know, there was a change of events there, because he was way up, but I just hung in there."
Vaughan became the latest major winner to overcome physical problems after Tiger Woods won the US Open with a knee injury and Padraig Harrington gained the Open, despite a wrist problem.
Greg Norman continued his stylish form after his third place at the Open, and has the US Senior Open to confront this week.
The Australian closed with a 68 to end the week on two under, with the defending champion Tom Watson finishing on the same total after his closing round of 70.
For Norman, it was another opportunity missed after finishing third at the Open last weekend.
"The golfing gods were just not on my side the last couple of weeks," he said.
"I enjoyed the last two weeks. On a scale of 1 to 10, probably a 10. I enjoyed every step.
"Though from a scoring standpoint, I haven't enjoyed that.
"I felt like I've played a lot better than what my scores indicated, and it just didn't work out."
Eduardo Romero missed the play-off by one stroke on five under after a bogey at the last, while dropped shots on the final two holes forced Bernhard Langer to settle for a 68 as he wound up on four under.
As a postscript to the Open, the Senior event was not found wanting, especially in the intensity of the final round.
Buoyed by the presence of Watson, Norman and Langer, almost 40,000 spectators turned up in Scotland to watch this tournament, and created a new attendance record.
It was a truly exhausting last day, yet one departed this glorious stretch of turf consumed by the inescapable feeling that the tortured Cook is destined to never win a British Open title of any form.
@Email:dkane@thenational.ae
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Looming%20global%20slowdown%20and%20recession%20in%20key%20economies%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Russia-Ukraine%20war%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Interest%20rate%20hikes%20and%20the%20rising%20cost%20of%20debt%20servicing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Oil%20price%20volatility%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Persisting%20inflationary%20pressures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Exchange%20rate%20fluctuations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shortage%20of%20labour%2Fskills%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20A%20resurgence%20of%20Covid%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Everybody%20Loves%20Touda
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nabil%20Ayouch%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nisrin%20Erradi%2C%20Joud%20Chamihy%2C%20Jalila%20Talemsi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
More from our neighbourhood series:
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Fourth-round clashes for British players
- Andy Murray (1) v Benoit Paire, Centre Court (not before 4pm)
- Johanna Konta (6) v Caroline Garcia (21), Court 1 (4pm)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
%3Cp%3EAl%20Khayma%0D%3Cbr%3EBait%20Maryam%0D%3Cbr%3EBrasserie%20Boulud%0D%3Cbr%3EFi'lia%0D%3Cbr%3Efolly%0D%3Cbr%3EGoldfish%0D%3Cbr%3EIbn%20AlBahr%0D%3Cbr%3EIndya%20by%20Vineet%0D%3Cbr%3EKinoya%0D%3Cbr%3ENinive%0D%3Cbr%3EOrfali%20Bros%0D%3Cbr%3EReif%20Japanese%20Kushiyaki%0D%3Cbr%3EShabestan%0D%3Cbr%3ETeible%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
Mountain%20Boy
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zainab%20Shaheen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Naser%20Al%20Messabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
