Let's Start with some Golf

Yes, golf. What's being played at Royal Birkdale right now. The Open Championship.

Now, I must admit that for the good part of the last decade, while I've been adequately entertained by the Woods, Mickelson, Furyk, Goosen, etc etc show, I've not quite regained that excitement over the game that I had when it was more Norman, Faldo, even Lyle (at the Masters in 88), or Woosnam. Even watching Couples got me more excited about the game than the Zach Johnsons, or the Boo Weekleys. The game has lost something. Perhaps it's Woods. Perhaps he's just so dominated the game that all we have left are the nameless dudes going about their nameless, character-less business. Let's forget about Fat Phil. He's a side-show. Ernie, god bless his soul, is over the hill. Yes, we've got an over-age Sergio trying to assert himself all over again, and interesting characters in Camilo Villegas. Even Adam Scott. But alas, it's just not the same.

Until Thursday and Friday. When the old Shark came sneaking up the leaderboard at the Open all over again. How nice it was seeing him back in the thick of things, his consistency outshining the floundering of Els and Mickelson the first day. So he'll start Saturday in the final grouping with KJ Choi. I don't think he's going to do a collapse that we're all too sadly familiar with. It won't be spectacular. More plodding. While there is nothing more I'd love than to see him in contention, the realist in me thinks otherwise. He just hasn't even practised, let alone competed. He's a 53-year old out of practice. How ominous can that be? Good as he is, I don't think he'll get by on latent talent. So I'd say he'll probably drift away, with things two rounds in the mid-70s. And with that, then the legend of Norman on the golf course will go for good. In the meantime, though, I'll just be content with watching Round 3 with a bit more interest than usual.

So, what's been happening in football in the few days I've been gone? Hleb's gone for good. Good riddance. And so too Gilberto. Gibby, thanks for the memories. We're all happy for your years of service, and glad that you even managed a goal in the game against Reading. Putting aside the crap about Ade, and the stupid rumours about signings, what does our balance sheet really look like? Out are Flamini, Hleb and Gilberto. Coming in for the new season are Nasri, Carlos Vela and Aaron Ramsey. Not too bad. I think we can expect one more signing, and that's the end of it. It'll probably be a surprise, and I hope it involves the departure of Ade as well. It's about time we gave more time to the likes of Diaby and Denilson, so I'm not too sure if Le Boss will buy a midfielder. It's probably a striker he'll get, though one more wish I have is for a better defender than old Mohawk Billy. He won't last more than another season, especially if we take the captain's armband away.

So au revoir. It's probably another period of silence on the Arse airwaves. Unless of course, if Norman wins the Open or we land a major signing. Ciao.