The British Open

Tiger took the lead with a scorching 66 today at the Old Course, St. Andrews in Scotland. I love when they play the Open at this course. It seems that everytime they play it there, something incredible happens.

My favorite British Open moment was Constantino Rocca hitting that huge putt to tie the eventual winner John Daly:

Rocca and Daly in playoff
1995 - The 124th Open Championship - St Andrews

In the 1995 Open at St Andrews, with seven holes of the final left to play, John Daly seems a certain bet for the Championship. Over the final few holes, however, Costantino Rocca is able to pose a challenge for the title.

Rocca birdies the 16th hole, while Daly takes a 5. At the next hole, Daly drops a stroke to narrow his lead to one stroke. Rocca's second shot at the 17th goes onto the road, hits the wall and lands back on the road to sit in a small depression. Rocca putts his ball out of an apparently impossible situation to within four feet of the hole. He holes his next putt to take par.

Rocca arrives at the final tee needing a birdie three to tie for the Championship. His drive takes him just to the left of the green. His next shot travels barely 40 feet, however, and lands in the bottom of the Valley of Sin, about 60 feet from the hole.

Rocca's next shot is remarkable. His putt goes through the Valley of Sin and lands in the hole. The crowd, previously sympathetic, are now ecstatic as Rocca ties for the title.The playoff, competed for over the first and last two holes, is less dramatic. Rocca takes a seven at the 17th to trail Daly by five strokes. John Daly wins the Championship.