If it weren't for bad luck...

Here I was, all ready to write about how golfer Sergio Garcia won today's British Open using a belly putter--the first to win a major championship with one. See, Garcia has had trouble with the flat stick, and switched to the belly putter for a change. Most golfers steer clear of them, though--an ego thing, I think. And through 54 holes, it was working for him. I was going to write about how you sometimes have to changes tools to achieve the result you want, no matter how many people guffaw in your direction.

Well...

His nearest competition was Padraig Harrington, who had the lead at 18, then lost it as his ball became good friends with the infamous Barry Burn. All Garcia had to do was use that belly putter, make par, and the claret jug was his. Instead, his putt lipped out. And all that putter was good for at that point was to rest his head on and question why the gods of golf treat him with such cruelty.

Garcia's confidence shot, he faced Harrington in a four-hole playoff. And lost.

What's the lesson here? For Garcia, who still has to wear the mantle of "greatest golfer never to have won a major," acknowledge what happen, and push on to the next tournament. He's good enough to win a major. But he can't let this be a burden. That's the toughest test. For Harrington, who sounded like he was about to walk away from golf if he lost, perseverance pays off.

And the capper? During Harrington's victory speech, the sun came out, and a rainbow appeared. Somebody was trying to say something there.