Columnist Dean Juipe: Open comes to lousy conclusion

Dean Juipe

Monday, June 18, 2001 | 10:34 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or 259-4084.

One by one they dropped from contention, each man tossing away shots and a place in history.

With Tiger Woods off the leader board and not a threat in the U.S. Open that won't be concluded until later today at Southern Hills in Tulsa, the door swung wide for a host of players but especially Phil Mickelson.

Beginning the final round two strokes off the lead, the supposed best player in the world never to have won a major was poised to add his name to the most revered of golf's record books. The situation was ideal: No Tiger tracks and only an assortment of long shots to fend off in an event in which he -- with 18 PGA Tour victories to his credit -- appeared to be the player most likely to handle the inherent pressure.

But Mickelson, who has a most erroneous reputation as a superlative putter, fell victim to his usual inability to make a putt between 1 and 15 feet when the heat's on. The favorite as the day began despite his position slightly off the pace, he couldn't have played the putting course at Angel Park without losing a sleeve of balls.

He's now certifiably jinxed, an otherwise great player at 31 who gets a clog in his throat at every critical juncture.

But the yips he experienced coming down the stretch proved to be contagious, as each of the remaining leaders three-putted the 18th hole to bring Sunday's round and telecast to an unsatisfying conclusion.

First Mark Brooks, with a PGA Championship under his belt, bogeyed No. 18 to drop (temporarily) from a share of the lead.

Then Stewart Cink, seemingly above the frayed-nerves crowd, missed from no more than 20 inches to double bogey the 18th and fall from contention.

Then Retief Goosen, the victory within his grasp if not already in his pocket as he looked at a birdie putt from 15 feet, did the inexplicable and took three to get down.

By the end of the carnage, only this much was assured: The fans were wishing Woods hadn't opened with a title-eliminating 74 if for no other reason than the fact he wouldn't have embarrassed himself -- had he had a chance to win -- on the tournament's final hole like these other guys did.

Add in the disappearing act turned in by other would-be contenders Sergio Garcia and Rocco Mediate, and the final round at Southern Hills was memorable only for the shocking lack of discipline and composure that the leaders displayed.

Even allowing for the heat of the moment, rarely have so many otherwise fine golfers sprayed so many errant shots over such a pristine pasture. No one was spared, which made Woods' absence from the leader board all the more disturbing for fans who expect better from professionals.

It's as if it's inconsequential who wins today, as both Brooks and Goosen had their opportunities to impress yet failed to do so. Neither will be held in overly high regard after seeing how poorly they managed the stretch run Sunday.

Consider this a lament.

When Woods shot himself out of the tournament last Thursday, it was almost refreshing as it allowed for speculation on who else might win.