The Open Daily Diary: Celebrations, sombre reflections and rain... so much rain
Sunday's weather forecast for Royal Portrush certainly held true, but the wind and rain didn't dampen the spirits of Omnisport's reporters.
Published : Jul 22, 2019 16:33 IST
The 148th Open Championship came to its rain-drenched climax on Sunday as Shane Lowry claimed the Claret Jug.
It concluded a wonderful week at Royal Portrush and Lowry's victory thwarted an American clean sweep of the majors.
That an Irishman triumphed on the island of Ireland certainly raised the noise levels on the Dunluce Links.
And while the final-day field battled the elements, Omnisport's reporters on the ground were attempting to stay dry and pick out a few unseen tidbits for the last instalment of The Open Daily Diary.
TWO GOING ON 30
After Lowry prevailed, he hugged runner-up Tommy Fleetwood, but that wasn't the most heart-warming sight on the final green.
That came when Lowry's two-year-old daughter came onto the putting surface and was swept up in her father's arms.
READ: Tommy Fleetwood downbeat after Open bid falls flat
It is a scene Lowry hopes to repeat as he expects to be making many more Open Championship visits with his little girl in tow.
"Look, I'm going to be coming back on another 27 Opens to play," he said. "She's going to be nearly 30 when I play my last one."
MIND THE ROPE, LADS
There's a wonderful vantage point midway down the first, where you are pretty much in the landing zone, can see the players hit off the tee and watch them on the greens.
One of our reporters was stationed here early on Sunday to take in some of the morning starters, and as ever there was an enthusiastic group creeping ever forward to try to get the best view possible.
"Lads, this is the second time - stay behind the white line," one steward warned as the group took the ropes a few feet inside the out of bounds line."
"Sorry mate, we did help you find those two balls, though," one replied.
"That's true... fair deal." Compromise is lovely.
YOUR WORK HERE IS DONE
There's an odd experience to be had on the final day of an Open if you choose to walk a few holes in reverse order once the final group has passed through.
Wandering from the third back towards the media centre, having caught Lowry and Fleetwood card a par and a bogey respectively, you see the holes where the work is done for the week.
The second and first, their fairways still lined with boundary ropes, lay dormant, with no spectators at their side. The tee boxes waiting patiently for players who will not arrive.
This Omnisport reporter found it a little bit emotional, but was stirred from his sombre reflections by a huge roar from down on the fourth green. A birdie for Lowry! And another hole had served its purpose.
MEDIA LEAKS IN THE MIXED ZONE
Omnisport covered all parts of The Open at Royal Portrush, including the mixed zone where players chat to reporters after a round.
The heavy rain was causing particular concern for our man on the ground in the interview area when water started to make an unwelcome appearance inside the tent.
Clearly he needed to adopt the spirit of those hardy souls in the Fan Village who saw the saturated ground as a prime spot for a bit of diving, with several of them sliding face down across the floor.