Lions great Gibson misses Australia test due to Open responsibilities
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - Of the 1,200 marshals on duty at Royal Portrush for the British Open, one of them, former British and Irish Lions rugby great Mike Gibson, had a reason to be distracted on Saturday morning.
The 82-year-old Gibson, stationed all week at the scenic 13th hole of the Dunluce Links, made a record five Lions tours from 1968-1977 as a skilful attacking centre.
So the fact the present-day Lions' first test against Australia coincided with the third round at The Open presented Gibson with a dilemma.
Not that he was ever going to let anybody down, though.
"I am committed to this and if they are one short it can be significant," Gibson, whose Royal Belfast Golf Club were one of the clubs providing marshals, told Reuters as former Open champion Jordan Spieth walked off the green.
"This is my first time marshalling, I'm getting a close-up view of golf that I could never even dream about. The skill on show is wonderful."
The Lions beat Australia 27-19 in the opening test in Brisbane and Gibson managed to keep a check on the score thanks to messages from his son.
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Gibson enjoyed a nice moment during Monday's practice round when he met up with an old friend in Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy for a chat and a photograph.
"Everyone wants him to win, he's such a nice lad, a wonderful advert for Northern Ireland and for golf," he said.
Gibson, who made 69 appearances for Ireland and played 12 tests for the Lions, still plays golf.
"But with declining distance," he said. REUTERS
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