The British Open: The waiting is the hardest, and best, part

The first time I remember being enthralled by the anticipation of a sporting event was in Sept. 1981. Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns stood at opposite sides of the ring for endless, delicious moments as they prepared to finally engage in what would be one of the great fistfights of their generation.

Obviously, it’s a rarity for a sporting event to reach that level of greatness, but that remains beside the point. It is the buildup that gets to us, the time leading up to a big event where anything is possible.

The British Open has that type of buildup. There are shots to be played that will be brilliant, as well as botched. The day before the event begins, those shots are still out there, and when they happen, history will marking down each one.

For now, those shots are there, waiting to be played, while we wait to witness them. Will we see something akin to Tiger Woods’ first Masters victory – a stunning performance that combined power and accuracy and left those who witnessed it mesmerized?

Or perhaps see something like Phil Mickelson’s 72nd-hole breakdown at the U.S. Open? Or something that will take more time to digest, like David Duval going from the leaderboard to being stuck in a bunker, which as years passed would seemingly become a metaphor for his career?

We will soon find out. Until then, however, enjoy the buildup and anticipation for the British Open. It is why we are sports fans.

–WKW