US Open's Unknown European

Anyone that follows golf will be well aware that European golf is currently in particularly rude health. The top four players in the world, the Ryder Cup and two Major Championships all belong to Europe.

Rory McIlroy’s victory in the US Open at Congressional has potentially opened the floodgates for what many are hailing as a golden era for the continent’s golfers. However, professional golf – even if you’re European - is not all major victories and top world rankings, just ask Matthew Richardson. The 26 year old Englishman didn’t have such a great time of it at Congressional as his tournament finished on Friday having shot 77 and 81.

Richardson’s final score of 16-over after two rounds was worsened only by US amateur Michael Barbosa. Despite the unfortunate position, Richardson was just happy to be playing amongst golfing greats.

Earlier that month he’d told reporters: “When you’re rubbing shoulders with the best in the world, it’s either going to elevate your game or it’s going to make it dwindle and I’ve always played my best golf when I’m in the deep end.”

Congressional GC – Photo: Keith Allison

Unfortunately that wasn’t the case in Bethesda as Richardson carded seven bogeys and two double-bogeys in his second round to end Friday 13 shots below the cut. This left him 27 shots behind leader Rory McIlroy although this comparison is harsh given the Ulster man’s complete domination of the event.

This wasn’t the first disappointment that Richardson has endured during his professional career. After a promising time as an amateur where he made the cut at the 2005 British Open and won both his singles matches as a member of the 2005 Walker Cup side, Richardson turned pro and joined the European Tour. However he lost his tour card after making just three cuts in 15 tournaments and then signed up to the US Nationwide Tour where he has remained.

After earning his place at Congressional through a sectional qualifier in New Jersey two weeks before the event, Richardson was counting on previous US Open experience after he came T77th in 2010. While this didn’t come to fruition, Richardson still has hopes of returning to the major tours: “It’s been a while since I played on the top tours. I’m itching to get back there, really,” he says.

Not all players follow similar routes to that of McIlroy. Ángel Cabrera and Mark O’Meara are two players who didn’t find major success until more than 15 years as professionals. Considering these examples, it’s certainly not too late for the 26 year Londoner.  

2011 Wimbledon's First Failure

British tennis player Katie O’Brien showed that there really is a silver lining to every cloud after becoming the first person to be knocked out of the 2011 Wimbledon Championships.

Just 64 minutes after play commenced at SW19, O’Brien was left to reflect on her misfortunes after going down 6-0, 7-5 to Japanese Kimiko Date-Krumm. Despite the early loss, O’Brien remained upbeat and noted that she was proud of the way she fought back after having been “annihilated in the first set”.

O’Brien’s 40 year old Japanese opponent showed all her experience by keeping the ball in play and was happy to allow the 24 year old Brit to contribute heavily to her own downfall. This came primarily thanks to 19 unforced errors as well as just 63% of first serve successes in comparison to Date-Krumm’s 83%.

While disappointing, the loss did mean that O’Brien was able to take in the full experience of Wimbledon – a benefit that she certainly appeared to be taking advantage of. Later that day she tweeted: “I’ve just been sat in the rain on Henman Hill with friends and family drowning my sorrows with a Pimms!!!”



Henman Hill - Photo: Roo Reynolds

She continued to enjoy the Wimbledon atmosphere the following day by cheering on Irish hopeful Conor Niland during his defeat to Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.  This was followed by an interview with Sky Sports’ Georgie Thompson and a spot of commentating for the BBC.

She later posted on Twitter: “Had a fun day of spectating & commentating.”

O’Brien later turned her attention to a report in the Daily Mail which had claimed that she was considering quitting. She commented: “I was a bit perplexed as to why so many were asking if I was quitting. Having just been shown the headline in the Daily Mail, I now know why.”

Rubbishing the report O’Brien claimed: “I did NOT say I was quitting. Just thought I’d set the record straight!”

Despite the false claims, O’Brien certainly appears to be enjoying her free time around the All England Club with her early loss failing to dampen her spirits.