COLUMN: What a finish to the U.S. Open

   Here I am in my late fifties watching golf on television, something I swore as a child I would never do in defiance of my dad. He would hog up the TV watching golf when I wanted to watch the Cubs play.

   To be honest, I usually do not click on a major golf tournament until Sunday when the end is nearing. I did just that Sunday, picking it up at about the 13^th hole with Wyndham Clark just one stroke up on Rory McIlroy.

   So, I decided to cheer for Clark, and boy did it get exciting down the stretch. After Clark went up by three strokes, I thought maybe this tournament won’t be so suspenseful but after a couple of Clark bogies on holes 15 and 16 to give himself just a one-shot lead, you could just about hear his heart beating on TV.

   Clark hit a couple par-saving irons to finish out, and just missed sinking a massive 60-foot putt on number 18 which allowed him to tap in for par and secure his first major victory.

   I always enjoy when young golfers get their first major, and after hearing Clark’s story about losing his mother to breast cancer at age 55 and how it had an effect on his well-being and career, how could you not root for him down the stretch?

   I also enjoyed the feedback he received from his caddy, a former tour professional, whose calming demeanor I thought played a big role in Wyndham becoming the U.S. Open champion.