British Open brings international mystery into U.S. living rooms

Columbus Dispatch sports columnist Rob Oller reflects on the appeal of the British Open (The Open Championship) for American audiences, ranking it as his second-favorite golf tournament behind the Masters. He highlights memorable moments such as Ben Curtis's shocking victory in 2003 and Jean van de Velde's dramatic collapse in 1999 as examples of the tournament's exotic, dreamlike quality. Oller argues that the Open's unpredictable weather and international setting give it an edge in atmosphere, even if the Masters ranks slightly higher overall.