Let's hear it for the 'old' guys

After 3 rounds Greg Norman is leading the field in the British Open at Royal Birkdale. At 53 years of age and without having played a lot of golf in recent years Norman has astonished the golfing world.  Good on him - regardless of what happens in the final round it is an amazing achievement. His marriage to Chris Evert undoubtedly improved his game. Cheers too for Rocco Mediate who came within a whisker of beating Tiger Woods at the recent US open - he shared the lead with Norman in the British Open for a while. The likeable, 45 year old Mediate has demanded a rematch with Tiger! 

I never thought I'd come to backing sports people at least partly because of their age.  I agree it is a bit tragic.  But the conditions at Royal Birkdale - high winds and rain - were about as bad as I have seen at a major tournament.  The old guys had the golf skills and the general savy to do well.  They deserve applause.

Update: Norman crashed in the final round with a 77 while his worthy opponents shone with great rounds of 69. The Shark went down and ran a distant third.  He was leading after 9 holes so - Harrington and Poulter must have put in fantastic performances then.  The criticisms of Norman losing his nerve etc have already started. What a sad lot of critics they are.