Rickie FowlerRichard Heathcote
LICENSE TO THRILL: Spain's Alvaro Quiros loves James Bond films and showed he had a licence to thrill by driving three of the par-four holes on the way to a closing five-under 67 at the British Open on Sunday.
Three of his six birdies came at the ninth, 12th and 18th where he dispensed with the need for an approach shot, twice two-putting from 40 feet and once from just off the green.
Quiros, who has won four times on tour including this year's Spanish Open, compiled rounds of 72, 70, and 74 earlier in the week and said the whole experience would put him in good stead for the 2011 British Open at Sandwich.
"It looks like I'm going to be a good player under the wind so that's a help for sure," said the 27-year-old. "Certainly for the next Open."
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CLOCKWORK ORANGE: There was no missing Rickie Fowler at the British Open on Sunday as the American's electrifying golf was matched only by his head-to-toe bright orange outfit. Baseball cap, shirt, belt, trousers, shoes, even his watch did not escape the visual overload.
"Not many people wear orange so it's a good way to stand out a bit," the 21-year-old told reporters after signing off for a five-under 67.
"I played college golf at Oklahoma State, school colours are orange and black," Fowler said proudly, though you had to look hard to find the darker colour.
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DEEP END: Colin Montgomerie may be in a trough of despair about his own game but he is thrilled at the form of his Ryder Cup players in this week's 150th anniversary British Open.
"I can pick two teams that can beat each other on any given day," said the eight-times European order of merit winner. "That's the strength and depth of European golf especially this year.
"(Paul) Casey and (Henrik) Stenson aren't currently in the team so they've got to battle hard. (Martin) Kaymer can seal his spot today and Westwood's number one (on the points list)."
Looking ahead to the biennial clash with United States in Wales in October, Montgomerie said he had an embarrassment of riches with Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Edoardo Molinari also in the top-20 of the world rankings.
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9-1-1: "I finished in an ambulance," was the way U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell summed up his British Open experienc after a 70 gave him a three-under total of 285. "I just putted diabolically.
"I didn't clean up well this week compared to the way I cleaned up at Pebble Beach (in the U.S. Open). The putter was a little cold, I obviously wore it out at Pebble."
McDowell said he was still trying to come to terms with life after his U.S. Open victory last month.
"I'm not quite myself at the minute as far as getting the head screwed back on," he said. "I felt very tired and very exhausted last night.
"I wouldn't change what happened for the world but it's been tough. You want to celebrate, you want to do all those things, enjoy yourself.
"Maybe I could have done with using those two weeks after Pebble a little bit more wisely."
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FINAL WORD