The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Hamilton wins British Open

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 19, 2004

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Sport - Golf

Hamilton wins British Open

TROON (SCOTLAND), JULY 18. Toughened by a 12-year journey through some of the most obscure outposts in golf, Todd Hamilton finally arrived in a major way on Sunday with a play-off victory over Ernie Els to win the British Open.

A year ago, he did not even have a PGA Tour card.

After a hard-fought final round at Royal Troon and four extra holes against one of the best players in the world, the 38-year-old American won the claret jug and was introduced as the champion golfer of the year.

What a ride!

Hamilton made four pars in the play-off, the last one the toughest of all. From 40 yards short of the cup, he used a utility club to bump the ball along the crusty grass to within 2 feet of the cup. Els had one last chance, but missed a 15-foot birdie putt.

Hamilton knocked in the final putt, started to retrieve it from the hole, then realised what he had just done. He let out a whoop, raised his arms in the air and hugged his caddie, Ron Levin.

For the second year in a row, the silver jug went to a player no one could have imagined at the start of the week. But unlike Ben Curtis, who was ranked 396th when he won at Royal St. George's in his first major, no one will ever call Hamilton a fluke. — AP

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