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.

“Well, like I said on Friday,” he acknowledged, “you cannot give seven shots to someone who happens to be the best player in the world. I went over his round and over my round, and I outplayed him from tee-to-green. A person in my position cannot give that man that much cushion. That’s why I was disappointed and that’s why I came up short.

“There’s no question it’s a breakthrough for me because I had never been in this position before. But I’m going to take this as far as I can take it and try to be as positive about it as I can and hopefully turn the corner.”

The Southern Hills fans, roasted as they were, enjoyed every moment of Sunday’s climactic moments. So, of course, did Woody Austin. He holed a monster putt on the 12th that brought him to within a shot and the roar that erupted is something that will clearly live with him for the rest of his days.

“For me, it was bigger than anything I had ever heard,” he said. “To be in this position for the first time and to actually give that good of a run at it, I’d probably be crazy to say that it was not better than some of the victories I’ve had.’’

Austin added: “Most of us have all of those bumps and peaks and valleys. Unfortunately I had a few pretty big peaks and valleys, and it’s just taken me a little bit longer. I was a better player at 32 than I am now, but maybe I just handle my nerves better. The key for me is how I handle my nerves. I don’t think anybody plays any better than I do when I’m on my game.”