O'Meara's still savoring '98
By Mark Soltau
SportsLine Senior Writer
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Win, lose or three-putt,
He kicked it off with the champions dinner Tuesday night, picking sushi and fajitas for the meal. Somehow, it was hard to picture Billy Casper eating octopus, but O'Meara had no worries.
"Sandy Lyle, he had haggis," O'Meara said. "I enjoy sushi very much. So I said what the heck, it's never been served before, we'll give it a try."
As defending champion of the Masters, it was his choice. Though few could have predicted it, O'Meara earned the menu planning with a 72nd-hole birdie last year. Later, he added the British Open and was selected Player of the Year by his peers, no small accomplishment for the pro-am specialist from Escondido, Calif.
"I'm looking forward to being in the company of the some of the greatest players of all time," he said. "To be able to host that dinner with Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Arnold Palmer ... you know, we're talking about Mark O'Meara."
The guest list also included Tiger Woods, his Florida neighbor and winner of the 1997 green jacket. At last year's dinner, Woods recalled Snead talking about gamesmanship.
"He used to cough at guys swings," Woods said. "Seve (Ballesteros) tends to get a little sore throat every once in a while. It's just part of the game."
As usual, O'Meara and Woods tuned up together last week at Isleworth Golf Club, O'Meara nursing a cold. Even in his weakened condition, he took money last Thursday from his 23-year-old opponent, now the second-ranked player in the world.
"I did clip him," said O'Meara. "I shot 31 on the back, and I holed a bunker shot on 17, and he can't deny that."
Actually, Woods never brought it up.
"He was pretty sick," Woods said. "He was mainly resting and trying to get ready for this week. We played nine holes, but physically, he wasn't ready to play."
Hmmm. According to O'Meara, the real match was supposed to be played Friday. Woods birdied the first three holes, but the duo ran into slow play and quit early.
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| O'Meara saw few bunkers in 1998. (Allsport) |
"I think he probably would have laid a little hurting on me because he wanted some revenge," O'Meara said.
Naturally, O'Meara needled Woods after the bunker shot.
"I know that he's got oodles more talent than I've got, so I've got to figure out some way to try to get at him," said O'Meara. "It's kind of fun when he's hitting a 5-iron in to a par-5 and I can't get there in two and barely struggle to get in the bunker, and then I hole it, and he says, 'You do that to me every time.' I say, 'No, I don't.' You know, and I then I get up there like, 'Where did it go? Oh, it went in the hole.' That's fun'"
Woods has no qualms about David Duval overtaking him as the No. 1 player in the world.
"Actually, it's fine," he said. "It's one of those things that's all cyclical. David's having his run right now. It's all part of the game."
Woods is more than happy to share some of the media and spectator spotlight this week, though he still draws a crowd wherever he goes. For a change, Woods isn't the favorite, most picking Duval.
"Well, he's playing better, no doubt about it," said Woods. "But I like my chances too."
O'Meara thinks Duval's ascension is good for Woods and the game. Though Woods continues to downplay the rivalry aspect, O'Meara thinks it has give him added incentive.
"He wants to be the man," O'Meara said. "David wants to be the man. That's good for golf. I think he wants to get that No. 1 ranking back.
"So is there a little bit of a rivalry between Tiger and David? Yea, probably. But I also believe there are other fine players you cannot overlook. And if you get so wound up in those two guys, these other guys are going to love it. It takes the attention away from them."
Speaking of notoriety, O'Meara admitted he's more recognized in public, especially in airports, but is occasionally mistaken for fellow tour pro Mark McCumber. Not that either bothers him.
O'Meara has never been driven by fame, fortune or a No. 1 ranking. He was more than content with his life and career before winning the Masters last year, although adding the British Open silenced many doubters who felt his victory at Augusta National was a fluke.
"It wasn't like this guy came out of nowhere," said O'Meara, who has earned more than $10 million. "I've paid my dues. I've never classified myself as a great player. I've played good and probably been one of the most consistent players on the tour the last 18 years. But I've also enjoyed some times that I haven't had to be in the limelight."
After 56-consecutive failures in major championships, how did O'Meara finally break through last year? For a guy with suspect talent and heart, he showed plenty with birdies on the last two holes. He's still not sure how the 20-foot right-to-left putt at 18 found the hole.
"I was shocked a little bit," he said. "A little bit of disbelief and a lot of joy. All three emotions came over me at the same time. It gives me more goose bumps now to watch that putt go in than it did when it happened."
No one was happier for O'Meara than Woods.
"We talk about it all the time because he has more majors than me," said Woods. "I think it's great for Mark. He's had such a great career ... what a way to top it off."
The funny thing is that O'Meara thinks he's striking the ball better than last year, which makes you wonder about his chances. Without question, his confidence has never been higher. Even if he struggles, O'Meara has the satisfaction of knowing he accomplished something most in his profession only dream about.
"No matter what happens this week or in the future, I was able to step up to the plate and win at least one," said O'Meara. "But I know there are people who would not expect me to come back and contend or win again, and that's fine. The game doesn't owe me anything."
Editor's note: CBS SportsLine senior editor Mark Soltau is a regular contributor to GolfWeb.
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