Quiet man emerges from the shadows

The closing day of any major championship always makes for compelling viewing.

The leaders usually play a conservative brand of golf, somewhat paralysed by the enormity of the occasion while the chasing pack throw caution to the wind and blitz what is usually a very difficult course. With the leaders starting last, they have to endure the drama unfolding in front of them, trying to stay focussed on their own game. Some players don’t watch the leaderboards, others do, but all of the caddies are fully aware of the scoring and who’s doing what. When the likes of Tiger, Mickelson and McIlroy charge they have the capacity to intimidate, but nothing intimidates more than the opportunity to win your first major championship.

On Sunday, the birdies came thick and fast and from an Irish point of view Graeme McDowell’s closing 66 for a two under par total, represented a very solid performance but unfortunately it was little more than a prelude to the final act.