Philosophical Austin looks to the positives

WOODY AUSTIN, the man who chased Tiger Woods all the way to the line at Southern Hills on Sunday and did himself proud in the process, is that American rarity.

He was born in Florida where Tiger and many others choose to live. But Woody went in the opposite direction. He forsook Florida for Kansas – because that’s where his wife is from. Prior to last weekend, he was little more than a better than average journeyman professional. Now, having given Tiger so much to think about and enriched himself by $US756, 000 (€555,000) in the process, he has earned a huge amount of respect and regard.

He may have lost to Woods by two shots – which is far from a disgrace in itself – but had the breaks gone his way, we could have had another underdog as PGA champion in the same mould as recent winners such as Shaun Micheel and Rich Beem. Tough, outspoken, a player to the galleries if ever there was one, Austin came up short but not by a whole lot.