From Deseret News archives:
Purple protest fails to color Tiger's victory
A man was heard to shout "Fathers For Justice" as six flour bombs were thrown onto the putting surface, drawing boos from the fans sitting around the 18th green. The man was led away by police, who wore plastic gloves to clean away the residue.
The flour bombs left small purple stains on the grass but didn't seem to affect the players.
"We only saw the paint," said Sergio Garcia, who was Woods' playing partner. "We didn't see when they threw it. It's very disappointing to see that happen in a championship like this one is, the best championship in the world. It didn't affect me at all. I wasn't putting through the paint anyway."
Fathers 4 Justice is a campaign for father's rights in child-custody cases. Similar devices were thrown at Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons two years ago during a debate.
BIG DAY: Marius Thorp won't forget Sunday at Royal Liverpool anytime soon.
The European Amateur champion got to play the final round with five-time British Open champion Tom Watson. He ended it with a birdie on the final hole for a 1-under 71 to win the silver medal that goes to the low amateur.
Thorp finished at even-par 288. His only competition came from U.S. Amateur champion Edoardo Molinari of Italy, who finished at 295.
"I played with one of the biggest legends in the game and that was simply fantastic," Thorp said. "I learned so much today."
Watson learned a bit, too, such as what it was like to be 18 again.
"He's fearless with the putter. I remember those days," Watson said. "I reveled in it and I wish I could be like that these days."
Thorp said his parents introduced him to golf, despite the lack of courses in Norway. He said he was inspired by watching Tiger Woods on television.
On Sunday, Thorp played in the same final round as Woods, then got his last thrill of the day when he stood next to him at the medal ceremony to receive his award.
RISING SUN: Hideto Tanihara started the final round hopeful of becoming the first Japanese player to win a major.
He ended it by missing an 8-foot birdie putt that cost him an automatic ticket to the Masters, spoiling an otherwise good week.
Tanihara, playing in his second British Open, closed with a 1-under 71 and tied for fifth with Sergio Garcia at 11-under 277, seven shots behind Tiger Woods. The top four and ties from the British Open are exempt to the Masters.
"It's kind of bittersweet," he said. "I felt I left a few shots out there today, but on the other hand it is a great finish."
