North: Dustin Johnson showed his toughness at U.S. Open
Dustin Johnson finally won his first major championship and all is right with the world.
With the potential of controversy looming, Johnson took matters into his own hands and won the 16th U.S. Open by a solid three strokes at Oakmont Country Club.
On the fifth green on Sunday, Johnson's ball moved as he was getting ready to address it. He told officials and they initially seemed to let it go. Then, on the 12th tee, USGA's Jeff Hall told Johnson he might be penalized a stroke. The official came on TV and explained to the public there would be a review.
I tweeted @north2north that he was tight early and should loosen up. But Johnson beat his demons and quieted his detractors in an impressive fashion, managing to keep a stoic demeanor and get the job done.
It takes guts to come back after some bad finishes. Johnson also had to recover from a driving problem early in his PGA career.
The field of golfers that was chasing him, guys such as Sergio Garcia, Shane Lowry and Lee Westwood, was decent, but not of championship quality. At the end of the day, it was about Johnson being physically and mentally tougher than anyone else.
Americans love comeback stories, and as I switched the channel to watch Golden State and Cleveland, I felt pretty good that things finally worked out for Johnson.
Cubs fans sell woof tickets:
So, Chicago Cubs fans are having fun on Twitter and giving the St. Louis Cardinals and their fans the business.
The Cubs are playing .700 baseball right now while the Cards were 12 ½ games back going into Monday night's game, and the "woofing" has begun.
I remember 1969 (and the collapse), and almost everyone in the city back then, including the bleacher bums and ticket brokers, had their World Series tickets bought and sold and woofed until late August. The New York Mets, of course, won the National League East by 8 games over the Cubs.
The Cards could still fight back and earn the wild-card spot and face the Cubs in a best-of-seven series.
But hey, when it's been a such a long time since a championship, and even a dominating team, I guess woof tickets are in order.
I just want to caution everyone: It's the playoffs that count!
This Cubs team, however, doesn't seem to care how long it has been since a championship - they know they are the best.
Are they right? For now, yes, but nothing is won in the regular season - just ask the Golden State Warriors.
Program notes:
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