What a fantastic finish to the British Open!  I found it quite interesting as I watched Ernie Els coolly play the final 6 holes in heroic fashion.  He did not play tight, conservative or out of control.  The final putt on the 18th hole was clutch and I was very happy that one of my favorites played well done the stretch.  But how did Ernie Els really win the British Open?

Was it that all the players trying to catch Adam Scott did not execute according to their game plan?  Did Adam Scott figure he had the tournament all wrapped up on the 14th hole?  I would suggest that neither of these situations are the answer.  It was greens in regulation that won the tournament.

For the first time in tournament history someone outside the top 20 in putting for the tournament won.  This is an amazing stat for sure.  Ernie Els was number one in greens in regulation for the tournament, which proved to be the decisive advantage the other players could not match.  Many would say, so what?  It is only a stat.  “Ernie Els is leading the field in greens in regulation, not so much on the greens,” Strange said. “None of the last 11 winners of this tournament have finished outside of the top 20 in total putts. Ernie ranks 75th currently in putts.”

Well let me put it another way; how low would your score be if you were putting for birdie 75% of the time during your round of golf.  That means that on 14 holes you are putting to lower your overall score to par!  I would take that every round.  There are many stats in golf and one could argue that greens in regulation is not as important as say putting; however, Ernie Els proved that maybe it is.

My question to you is what is the most important stat?  I would be interested to hear what you have to think!