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CNN Live Today
U.S. Open: Inside the Ropes
Aired June 13, 2003 - 10:17 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, let's talk some golf right now. Tom Watson is showing the youngsters how it's done at the U.S. Open. The 53-year-old charged to the top of the leader board yesterday after playing a round for the ages, believe me.
Our Josie Karp stands by now. She is at Olympia Fields in suburban Chicago, Josie what a show yesterday, huh?
JOSIE KARP, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was really unbelievable, Leon. It gave a lot of people goose bumps watching and, you know, Tom Watson needed a special exemption from the USGA Executive Committee just to get into this U.S. Open for the 30th time in his career and not just because he went out and shot a 65 bu for other reasons. He showed yesterday just why he deserved it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KARP (voice-over): The whole world was watching but for Tom Watson and his caddie Bruce Edwards, Round 1 of the U.S. Open was a gift to each other. Watson's best days on the course are behind him and Edwards is fighting ALS, a disease with no cure. But on Thursday, time was on their side.'
TOM WATSON, U.S. OPEN CONTENDER: There is a lot of emotion there. You can only imagine, put yourself in Bruce's situation and my situation, what it means to do well at this late stage in your life playing in the tournament you want to win the most.
KARP: The key to Watson's amazing round was the fact that he only needed 23 putts all day long. It was a feat made possible by suggestion Edwards made on Monday.
WATSON: He said put that old putter in your bag. I said you want me to use that old thing? He said yes, start using that old thing again so I changed right then and there and the magic started working again.
KARP: It's clear the magic in this pair's 30-year relationship has never left.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KARP: Edwards is already showing signs of the muscle degeneration that comes along with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. His speech is slurred and he was even given the option of using a golf cart as he has done several times with Watson on the senior tour but he declined that, Leon. These guys don't know just how many more walks they have around a golf course in the future.
HARRIS: Boy, that's fantastic. We ought to wish them the best absolutely. Thanks, Josie. We'll be talking with you a little bit later on down the road, all right.
Now, we want to talk some more about the Open but taking a look at today's open as well as last year's open. Today, the drama is in the competition but a year ago the location of the U.S. Open was the big source of intrigue and a source of some anger as well.
Our next guest takes you to the open, "Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black" is the title of his new book. The New York golf course had a blue blood birth but lived the life of a commoner. It's a public course that was transformed into a world stage and John Feinstein is the author of this book, "Open."
And John joins us now with more. He is at Olympia Fields and I got to say I wish I could trade places with you friend but what a great...
JOHN FEINSTEIN, AUTHOR: It was an amazing day yesterday, Leon.
HARRIS: And what did you think about that watching Tom Watson pull that off?
FEINSTEIN: I have to be honest with you, just hearing Josie's piece a minute ago I started to choke up again. I've known Tom and Bruce for more than 20 years and it was an extraordinary day regardless of what happens the rest of this weekend.
HARRIS: Yes. Well the thing is it's going, the Open at Olympia Fields is going to have a tough act to follow in keeping people intrigued. Stories like Tom Watson's may actually accomplish that. But in "Bethpage Black" you did a great job of taking people literally behind the ropes in this.
You started with the very first conversations about the choice of that course. How far back did you start working on this book?
FEINSTEIN: Well, I went back a couple of years but I really couldn't have done it without the cooperation of David Fay (ph) and the USGA staff because they gave me access to all the memos that went back and forth.
And David fortunately has a very good memory and took me back to 1994 when he first literally sneaked on the golf course at Bethpage to take a look at it to see even though it was a beaten up old (unintelligible) $31 a day to play.
Anybody can walk up and play it any day unlike all the previous U.S. Open sites, either private clubs or upscale resorts and he made the decision that day that even though we knew he'd have many obstacles to overcome that it was time to take the Open to a true public golf course and he thought he could get it done and he did, and it was, as you know, a huge success. HARRIS: Well, you take the readers through the entire process, also through some of the rounds and watching some of the players actually get out there and try the course out.
And, something that some viewers may not really appreciate until they read this is the fact that has there ever been a tournament where the folks out there in the stands and walking around actually know more about the course than the players do?
FEINSTEIN: No, and that was unique. I opened the book with Scott McCarron telling the story about being stopped by a cop because, as you know, the security was unbelievable. It had to be 35 miles from Ground Zero last year, and as he went through (unintelligible) of security, the last policeman stopped him and said, I got to ask you a question Scott.
He thought he was going to ask him what it's like to play with Tiger, because he plays with him a lot in practice rounds. And, he said when you play the third hole, do you aim for the front of the green or the back of the green because if I play to the front, I always three putt and make bogey. If I play to the back I roll over. I make double bogey.
And, McCarron said he realized it had to be the first major ever where the cops guarding the golf course had played it more than the players in the championship and that was really true and that's why you had the atmosphere that you had because there were thousands of people on the golf course who had played it and thought of it as their golf curse.
HARRIS: And that kind of thing builds a kind of sentiment that will actually save and continue to build on golf and the enthusiasm that the public has for golf. But, you know, stories like Tom Watson's yesterday will do that as well.
But there's another one that I'm following with some interest and that's Davis Love III. You know considering the tragedy that he and his family have had to live through and he's coming into this probably as focused as he has been in years. What do you make of his story and where do you think he'll finish up here?
FEINSTEIN: Well, Davis unfortunately had a very poor round yesterday, Leon and I was frankly surprised because, you know, David had said to me and to others that really in a situation like this, his brother-in-law committed suicide a couple weeks ago after apparently stealing quite a bit of money from Davis. Davis trusted him implicitly with his business dealings that he found his refuge inside the ropes and he played very well last week in Washington.
But yesterday it just wasn't there for him and Davis is one of those guys who everybody roots for because to me he is the definition of the word gentleman. He is a true gentleman. When he won the PGA six years ago with memories of his dad who was killed in a plane crash, his teacher walking alongside with him in effect, it was one of the most emotional moments I've ever seen in golf. HARRIS: Yes, I remember that as well. Finally, I have to ask you about Tiger. We can't talk about golf without talking about him but I want to ask you something different about Tiger. You've seen his comments, I'm sure, in "USA Today" yesterday where he basically comes right out and says that he knows there are other players who are out there playing with some juiced up clubs.
Do you think this could turn into a big problem for him PR wise, this could turn into his little (unintelligible) Annika Sorenstam kind of issue here?
FEINSTEIN: Oh, it's not going to be anything like that, Leon, because you know what Tiger is saying probably has some truth to it. VJ was completely inaccurate in everything he said.
But when Tiger speaks, people in golf have to listen. He is the preeminent player. You know last year at Bethpage he was the only guy who broke par on that golf course. That's how tough it was and still told Craig Curry (ph) the course superintendent that the course beat him up, so imagine what it did to the rest of the guys. And, Tiger, is the dominant figure in this sport and any time he says anything like that it is a story without any question.
HARRIS: All right, we'll have to see where that story leads. And, we'll also continue to finish up reading your story, "Open" by John Feinstein who you see there on the screen. Thanks, John, appreciate the time you spent with us.
FEINSTEIN: Thanks, Leon.
HARRIS: Take care.
FEINSTEIN: Good talking to you, thank you.
HARRIS: All right, enjoy the Open.
All right, folks, that's the book there.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 13, 2003 - 10:17 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, let's talk some golf right now. Tom Watson is showing the youngsters how it's done at the U.S. Open. The 53-year-old charged to the top of the leader board yesterday after playing a round for the ages, believe me.
Our Josie Karp stands by now. She is at Olympia Fields in suburban Chicago, Josie what a show yesterday, huh?
JOSIE KARP, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was really unbelievable, Leon. It gave a lot of people goose bumps watching and, you know, Tom Watson needed a special exemption from the USGA Executive Committee just to get into this U.S. Open for the 30th time in his career and not just because he went out and shot a 65 bu for other reasons. He showed yesterday just why he deserved it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KARP (voice-over): The whole world was watching but for Tom Watson and his caddie Bruce Edwards, Round 1 of the U.S. Open was a gift to each other. Watson's best days on the course are behind him and Edwards is fighting ALS, a disease with no cure. But on Thursday, time was on their side.'
TOM WATSON, U.S. OPEN CONTENDER: There is a lot of emotion there. You can only imagine, put yourself in Bruce's situation and my situation, what it means to do well at this late stage in your life playing in the tournament you want to win the most.
KARP: The key to Watson's amazing round was the fact that he only needed 23 putts all day long. It was a feat made possible by suggestion Edwards made on Monday.
WATSON: He said put that old putter in your bag. I said you want me to use that old thing? He said yes, start using that old thing again so I changed right then and there and the magic started working again.
KARP: It's clear the magic in this pair's 30-year relationship has never left.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KARP: Edwards is already showing signs of the muscle degeneration that comes along with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. His speech is slurred and he was even given the option of using a golf cart as he has done several times with Watson on the senior tour but he declined that, Leon. These guys don't know just how many more walks they have around a golf course in the future.
HARRIS: Boy, that's fantastic. We ought to wish them the best absolutely. Thanks, Josie. We'll be talking with you a little bit later on down the road, all right.
Now, we want to talk some more about the Open but taking a look at today's open as well as last year's open. Today, the drama is in the competition but a year ago the location of the U.S. Open was the big source of intrigue and a source of some anger as well.
Our next guest takes you to the open, "Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black" is the title of his new book. The New York golf course had a blue blood birth but lived the life of a commoner. It's a public course that was transformed into a world stage and John Feinstein is the author of this book, "Open."
And John joins us now with more. He is at Olympia Fields and I got to say I wish I could trade places with you friend but what a great...
JOHN FEINSTEIN, AUTHOR: It was an amazing day yesterday, Leon.
HARRIS: And what did you think about that watching Tom Watson pull that off?
FEINSTEIN: I have to be honest with you, just hearing Josie's piece a minute ago I started to choke up again. I've known Tom and Bruce for more than 20 years and it was an extraordinary day regardless of what happens the rest of this weekend.
HARRIS: Yes. Well the thing is it's going, the Open at Olympia Fields is going to have a tough act to follow in keeping people intrigued. Stories like Tom Watson's may actually accomplish that. But in "Bethpage Black" you did a great job of taking people literally behind the ropes in this.
You started with the very first conversations about the choice of that course. How far back did you start working on this book?
FEINSTEIN: Well, I went back a couple of years but I really couldn't have done it without the cooperation of David Fay (ph) and the USGA staff because they gave me access to all the memos that went back and forth.
And David fortunately has a very good memory and took me back to 1994 when he first literally sneaked on the golf course at Bethpage to take a look at it to see even though it was a beaten up old (unintelligible) $31 a day to play.
Anybody can walk up and play it any day unlike all the previous U.S. Open sites, either private clubs or upscale resorts and he made the decision that day that even though we knew he'd have many obstacles to overcome that it was time to take the Open to a true public golf course and he thought he could get it done and he did, and it was, as you know, a huge success. HARRIS: Well, you take the readers through the entire process, also through some of the rounds and watching some of the players actually get out there and try the course out.
And, something that some viewers may not really appreciate until they read this is the fact that has there ever been a tournament where the folks out there in the stands and walking around actually know more about the course than the players do?
FEINSTEIN: No, and that was unique. I opened the book with Scott McCarron telling the story about being stopped by a cop because, as you know, the security was unbelievable. It had to be 35 miles from Ground Zero last year, and as he went through (unintelligible) of security, the last policeman stopped him and said, I got to ask you a question Scott.
He thought he was going to ask him what it's like to play with Tiger, because he plays with him a lot in practice rounds. And, he said when you play the third hole, do you aim for the front of the green or the back of the green because if I play to the front, I always three putt and make bogey. If I play to the back I roll over. I make double bogey.
And, McCarron said he realized it had to be the first major ever where the cops guarding the golf course had played it more than the players in the championship and that was really true and that's why you had the atmosphere that you had because there were thousands of people on the golf course who had played it and thought of it as their golf curse.
HARRIS: And that kind of thing builds a kind of sentiment that will actually save and continue to build on golf and the enthusiasm that the public has for golf. But, you know, stories like Tom Watson's yesterday will do that as well.
But there's another one that I'm following with some interest and that's Davis Love III. You know considering the tragedy that he and his family have had to live through and he's coming into this probably as focused as he has been in years. What do you make of his story and where do you think he'll finish up here?
FEINSTEIN: Well, Davis unfortunately had a very poor round yesterday, Leon and I was frankly surprised because, you know, David had said to me and to others that really in a situation like this, his brother-in-law committed suicide a couple weeks ago after apparently stealing quite a bit of money from Davis. Davis trusted him implicitly with his business dealings that he found his refuge inside the ropes and he played very well last week in Washington.
But yesterday it just wasn't there for him and Davis is one of those guys who everybody roots for because to me he is the definition of the word gentleman. He is a true gentleman. When he won the PGA six years ago with memories of his dad who was killed in a plane crash, his teacher walking alongside with him in effect, it was one of the most emotional moments I've ever seen in golf. HARRIS: Yes, I remember that as well. Finally, I have to ask you about Tiger. We can't talk about golf without talking about him but I want to ask you something different about Tiger. You've seen his comments, I'm sure, in "USA Today" yesterday where he basically comes right out and says that he knows there are other players who are out there playing with some juiced up clubs.
Do you think this could turn into a big problem for him PR wise, this could turn into his little (unintelligible) Annika Sorenstam kind of issue here?
FEINSTEIN: Oh, it's not going to be anything like that, Leon, because you know what Tiger is saying probably has some truth to it. VJ was completely inaccurate in everything he said.
But when Tiger speaks, people in golf have to listen. He is the preeminent player. You know last year at Bethpage he was the only guy who broke par on that golf course. That's how tough it was and still told Craig Curry (ph) the course superintendent that the course beat him up, so imagine what it did to the rest of the guys. And, Tiger, is the dominant figure in this sport and any time he says anything like that it is a story without any question.
HARRIS: All right, we'll have to see where that story leads. And, we'll also continue to finish up reading your story, "Open" by John Feinstein who you see there on the screen. Thanks, John, appreciate the time you spent with us.
FEINSTEIN: Thanks, Leon.
HARRIS: Take care.
FEINSTEIN: Good talking to you, thank you.
HARRIS: All right, enjoy the Open.
All right, folks, that's the book there.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
