Can Cabrera do it again at the US?
June 11th 2008 08:57
Angel cabrera looking to repeat this scene as he tries to defend his US Open crown
The chubby Argentine is the defending champion of the US Open, who on Friday will look to get his championship defence on track.
Like Last year, the man himself is not playing his best golf but confidence will be at the fore when the crowd greets him at Oakmont.
"They now know me better than before and i don't like that much" he jokes.
Cabrera signed autographs, recieved kisses, hugs and through logic, an avalanche of support was there to see the characteristic laid back persona that is the chubby Argentine.
Although no Tiger Woods, Cabrera is the defending champion at the US Open. Just days before he begins his difficult campaign to gain another green jacket, he feels he is not apart of the fanatical fanbase that surrounds most golfers in the most marketed major Golf championship in the world.
In terms of tradition, the British Open is arguably the Wimbledon of Golf. But through the millions of dollars in sponsorship, the TV ratings and the presence of a charm like Tiger Woods, the US Open is without a doubt the biggest event in the golfing calender each year.
While many will cast their eyes on how the Tiger performs, not far back will be chubby Cabrera. Only he, the man from Cordoba, believes that he can once again be champion in the presence of heavyweights Tiger Woods and fellow American Jim Furyk.
With confidence in his swing, Cabrera started slotting birdies one after another, slowly finding his way to the top of the leader board. He went on to win his first Grand Slam, repeating Robert Di Vicenzo's feat in 1967 in the British Open. He smoked his cigar nervously, at the time letting out big puffs as he edged closer to the famed green jacket.
"I literally felt that i was close to the sky" he confessed later.
Today, curiously, Cabrera arrives in a situation parrallel to last year. With little sensation in his game, without a touch above the green and, for worse, with results that do not help his cause. Results that this year, reflect the ones achieved half-way through 2007.
Later though, what happened is now installed in history.
The prognostics won't help him, its true, but nature falls like a ring on a finger in his aggressive game. the short shots, the experts say, is out of tune and motion prior to such a big tournament. Right there do the seeds of doubt grow over Cabrera's ability to perform.
This US Open course, of 7643 yards, offers curiosity. Among those: a par 4 of 500 yards or a par 5 of 600 yards. To attack would be for valient players keen to risk everything.
"For now, the greens are not that fast and the first cut of the rough will be very accessible, but for sure on Friday, it will very distinct and let's not even talk about the end of the week" Cabrera laughs.
Through shade and an aura of disconcern, Cabrera competed in practice yesterday with Frenchman Thomas Levet. Near them was Tiger Woods, now totally recuperated from his operation on his knee that kept the world No.1 inactive for two months.
The king of kings in the Golfing world, Woods was surprised with the complications of a field ready to present "more Bogeys than Birdies".
On Friday the game begins. Cabrera, the thankful champion, along with Irishman Padraig Harrington(calm for some) and American Davis Love kick off proceedings. A little later, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott, who are one, two and three respectively in the world, will start swinging in order to knock the chubby Argentine off his perch.
A magnificient round of Golf awaits.
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