Mark O'Meara: My son predicted I'd win the open...thank God he was right

Jul 13 2008 Euan Mclean

IT'S brutally unfair but these days Mark O'Meara seems better known for being Tiger Woods' best pal than for his own achievements in a remarkable career.

Thankfully this week the two-time Major winner will be given his rightful place in the limelight as The Open's return to Royal Birkdale conjures cherished memories of arguably his greatest success.

That O'Meara's return coincides with the 10th anniversary of him beating Brian Watts in a play-off to lift the Claret Jug makes it even more poignant.

Yet ironically even back then the American had some young upstart stealing his thunder at the defining moment of his career - and it wasn't Woods!

Justin Rose was just a 17-year-old amateur when he captured the hearts of the golfing world by finishing joint fourth at that 1998 Open, only two shots adrift of O'Meara.

And he did so in style, holing a 50-yard chip for birdie with his last shot to raise the biggest roar of the day from the partisan English crowd.

Much has changed in the 10 years since. Woods, who finished one ahead of Rose and agonisingly short of joining his pal O'Meara and Watts in the play-off, has transformed the game to the point where tournament bosses nervously wait to discover what impact his injury absence will have on attendances this week. Rose, in contrast, turned pro immediately only to endure a horrendous start of 21 consecutive missed cuts that would have broken a lesser man.

But this is one Rose that doesn't wilt and O'Meara believes the Englishman goes back to his roots this week a much stronger player for all the adversity he has suffered.

O'Meara said: "There was something Tiger-esque in what Justin did that year at Birkdale. The maturity to hole a shot like that on the last and finish fourth in The Open is amazing for a 17-year-old.

"It just shows the talent he has - but what's even more incredible is how he handled the snags he faced after turning pro at a young age.

"He struggled for two or three years, missing so many consecutive cuts and almost hitting rock bottom. Then he had to cope with the death of his dad Ken who was such a big influence on him.

"Justin has turned it around and I commend him tremendously for fighting back. He is a stronger player for it because you learn a lot more about yourself during the hard times.

"Now he has all the tools to challenge Tiger in the Majors - he is that talented. Of course Tiger isn't at this one so this is a big chance for Justin. It would be appropriate if he goes back to Birkdale and wins his first Major."

Victory for Rose seven days from now would be the kind of fairytale conclusion only sport and movie scriptwriters can come up with - but Birkdale has previous for bringing life full circle. Just ask O'Meara.

His victory in 1998 tasted all the sweeter because the Southport links was the scene of his biggest disappointment seven years earlier.

Mark said: "I played well there in the 1991 Open when I was tied leader after three rounds but Ian Baker-Finch won. So to come back seven years later and lift the Claret Jug was incredible. That put a lot of things to bed after the disappointment of coming so close in 91.

"One of my biggest memories from 98 was hearing the roars for the groups in front ofme on the last day.

"I heard the shout Justin got for holing his shot on 18 and I knew the other cheers were for Tiger coming up the board.

"I made birdie on the 71st hole that put me one ahead of Tiger who had already finished one over. I then had two good putts to par 18 and had to wait for Brian Watts coming in.

"I sat at the 18th green with my family and Brian's ball had barely rolled into the bunker when my son, who was about nine, turned to me and said 'Dad, you're going to win'.

"I said 'Sean, you can never underestimate your opponent. You have to always think the other guy will do something special'.

"Sure enough, Brian had a great up and down for par - he almost holed his shot out of the bunker and it stopped 10 inches away.

"In the play-off I made birdie on 15 with a 10-foot putt and Brian missed from eight feet.

That shook the momentum my way and I went on to win which capped a great year, having won the US Masters three months previously.

"Now it's so exciting to be going back to Birkdale, especially with it being the 10-year anniversary. It is a tremendous links course."