While the favourites sweated, the ex-caddy just smoked his way to victory, says john gibb
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Millions of golfers round the world watched yesterday as Angel Cabrera stood on the 18th tee at the Oakmont Country Club and smashed his drive 300 yards down the middle.
He paused to light a cigarette and smiled as he walked down the fairway. Then the ex-caddie from Cordoba, round-shouldered from years of carrying other men's bags, hit a delicate pitch past the pin and got down in two putts for a final round 69.
Winning the US Open will make the Argentinian rich beyond his wildest dreams and his charm, sportsmanship and skill will rightly turn him into a role model for players of all ages. Throughout the final round, he stood out as relaxed and happy while all about him were sweating in an agony of nerves. He beat a desperate Tiger Woods by one shot and Jim Furyk by two. The world's greatest golfers were left floundering in his wake.
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| ‘Some players deal with nerves by hiring sports psychologists. I just smoke’ |
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In his acceptance speech, he gave away his secret. "I was definitely feeling nervous," he said, "but I believed it was the same for everyone. Some players deal with it by hiring sports psychologists. I just smoke."
When he comes to Carnoustie to play in the Open in July, Cabrera (left) will be allowed to light up on the course for the time being, but he'll be arrested if he does so in the clubhouse. In California, smoking is forbidden throughout state-owned golf facilities and it is expected that the weed soon will be banned on private courses.
This won't go down well with the professional game where many golfers including Darren Clarke, Miguel Jiminez and Ian Woosnam smoke while they play.
Jodie Kidd, an enthusiastic golfer, today launched a plan for smokers trying to quit to wear 'commitment rings' to show 'co-workers' that you're determined to give up the weed. I can't see Angel wearing one for the time being.
FIRST POSTED JUNE 18, 2007
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