CROMWELL, Conn. -- If the tournament wasn't dead, it was at least on life support. The event that started in 1952 as the Insurance City Open and was later rechristened as the Greater Hartford Open -- or simply GHO to the local folks -- was on the verge of extinction. Without a title sponsor, without financial backing, the 2006 edition was supposed to be the last. Maybe the powers-that-be could still salvage a senior event, but the good ol' days were ingloriously over.
Fast forward to Sunday afternoon and it's never been more alive. One of the game's biggest stars, drawn to the heart of Connecticut by the recommendations of fellow players, was aiming for a win.