British had different feeling

Padraig Harrington's performance in the closing nine holes in the British Open at Royal Birkdale on Sunday was nothing less than spectacular.

 

In the final five holes, Harrington didn't miss a shot. He was flawless and his performance should be praised.

 

But, without Tiger Woods in the field, this year's Open didn't have the same feel. I'm not going to say there should be an asterisk next to Harrington's victory. I just believe that if you don't beat the best, the win doesn't carry the same magnitude as last year's victory with the world's No. 1 player competing.

A.L. East race just getting started

Tampa Bay has the lead in the A.L. East.

But they're not the favorites. Maybe not even for second place.

The World Champion Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees have been in this position too many times to have anyone else in the division be the favorite to pull away after the All-Star Game.

So, come mid-September, expect the Rays to be fighting for nothing more than the wild card.

Big bout will disappoint

The Joe Calzaghe vs. Roy Jones Jr. Light Heavyweight bout scheduled for Sept. 20 at Madison Square Garden will draw plenty of interest and bring both fighters a huge pay day.

One problem. The fight takes place 10 years too late.

 

Jones Jr., who was the most dynamic fighter of his era, is well past his prime.

 

Calzaghe, who after years of shying away from fighting America's best is on a career-ending tour of fighting over-the-hill champions.

 

Calzaghe defeated Bernard Hopkins by decision in a less-than-exciting bout in April.

 

Expect the same result come September vs. Jones Jr.

Nadal's win will test Federer's greatness

Rafael Nadal's win over Roger Federer Sunday at Wimbledon is great for tennis and will push the world's No. 1 player to new heights.

Federer never needed to play at the highest level to win matches. That no longer is the case if Nadal or the No. 3 ranked player Novak Djokovic is on the other side of the net.

I fully expect Federer to make the necessary adjustments.

The only difference in Federer's off season in 2008 from his past dominance is: he no longer is playing his best tennis in the biggest moments. He was a horrific 1 for 13 in break point chances.

No matter, tennis fans should enjoy an era where we're witnessing the greatest player ever (Federer) and two rare talents in Nadal and Djokovic, who'll make Roger's run at Pete Sampras' record 14 majors a much more difficult task than everyone thought a few months ago.