When NBC’s coverage of the recent 147th Open Championship — aka the British Open — began at Carnoustie Golf Club on July 19, announcers and analysts talked about Jean van de Velde’s infamous 18th–hole meltdown in 1999, Tom Watson’s breakthrough Open victory in 1975, and Padraig Harrington’s first of two Claret Jug victories in 2007, all at the toughest course in the Open rotation.
At the end, it was all about Francesco Molinari’s steady win over the likes of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and — a ratings bonus — a resurgent Tiger Woods.
Few viewers outside of Clemson took note of The Open debut of Tim Bourret, the Tigers’ sports information guru for 40 years.