The best -- and the worst -- from Royal Liverpool

	Chris DiMarco showed the tenacity that the U.S. Ryder Cup team will need later this year. John Biever/SI

The 135th British Open served up a cornucopia of absolutes. Some were mere formalities (Tiger Woods winning when leading after 54 holes) while others were a bit more surprising (the clueless British fans). It was most worthy nevertheless, with thrills and spills galore.

Absolute greatness

• Woods is simply nails with a major lead heading into Sunday. His methodical win now makes him 11 for 11. Tiger's precision was also perfect; he eschewed the testy driver for trademark stinger irons and three-metal drives. It was a sublime performance reminiscent of his systematic destruction of the field last year at St. Andrews. He teased the field (well, Chris DiMarco) to draw near before reeling off birdies at 14, 15 and 16 to commence the trophy engraving.

However, what makes his record befuddling is that he has never rallied from behind to win a major trophy. It's simply all or nothing. And while that doesn't necessary stink, it does show that other players can win with his presence looming, as long as it's from behind.

• Can you exhibit greatness by finishing second? DiMarco showed once again why he must be a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Playing with a heavy heart after losing his mother, Norma, on July 4, DiMarco canned putt after ridiculous putt to prevent Woods from lapping the entire field. He's gutsy, persistent, emotional, fiery and has a knack for theater that the U.S. team desperately needs to right its teetering ship against the formidable Euros. DiMarco's second-place finish raises his Ryder standing to sixth. Somewhere, a giddy Captain Lehman is rubbing his hands with glee.

• The television-analyst banter was delicious. For the first time in recent memory, I was just as interested in what the talking heads were spouting as the golf. Nick Faldo has become my new favorite analyst by not being overly serious, knowing the game and providing entertaining anecdotes. He's wittier than Johnny Miller and less clichéd than Lanny Wadkins. It's hard to believe this once rude, crusty Englishman could morph into an instant cuddly fave among the golf set.

Faldo delivered a telling bon mot of Woods and the struggling Sergio Garcia on Sunday putting by remarking, "Sergio searches for touch -- Tiger trusts his."

Faldo and partner Paul Azinger provided engaging banter on the Woods/Garcia pairing falling more than a hole behind on Sunday.

Azinger: "Why does a final pairing need to be on the clock?"

Faldo: "Rules should apply to all players."

Azinger: "If the R&A can't control the crowds, then the Woods/Garcia group shouldn't be penalized for slow play -- especially if both players have to constantly back off from camera phones going off."

Faldo: "On Friday, our group [he and Woods] were playing slow too. On the 14th, Tiger takes eight practice swings and three minutes before holing out with the incredible eagle. Well, that certainly canceled the delay complaint, didn't it?"

The Golf Channel scored a huge coup by signing Faldo as lead analyst for next year's broadcasts. All they need now is to secure a worthy foil (Azinger?) for Nick's quick repartee.