Bager (2003) - full transcript

Mm-hmm.

A little bit

of magic time.

I feel it.

Yes, sir.

Terrific shot !

I'm in the goddamn woods again.

Goddamn.

Damn game.

I spend more time in the trees

than the squirrels.

Wizard Two ?

Why not ?

Uh-oh.

Not again.

I've had five heart attacks

in the last ten years.

My first was on a golf course

in South Carolina.

It wasn't all that bad.

A couple of doglegs that were

more dog than leg, but I-I'd--

all in all, it was playable.

Assuming, of course,

you didn't die

on the second hole.

The second coronary

was at Augusta,

where they had the Masters.

Went down right

on the first fairway.

It was a good thing, too, 'cause

those greens probably would have

been the end of me anyway.

My wife used to ask me,

before she passed on,

why do I play a game

that seems destined to kill me ?

It all started

back in 19 and 28...

when I was just a youngster

in Savannah, Georgia.

Jones and Hagen are

really goin' at it.

They're like neck-and-neck

all the time.

Nuts.

Was it 350 ?

Nah.

More like 400 with the roll.

I don't care how good

Jones and Hagen are.

Junuh could've beat 'em both

with his eyes closed.

Junuh won that thing

three times in a row.

Now when I was growin' up,

every town had its heroes,

and ours was Rannulph Junuh,

an athlete who was

a born winner.

Well, I wanted to be

just like him.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Junuh has the most difficult

shot in the history of golf.

He must sink this shot

from 110 yards

to win the championship.

He steps up to the ball.

The crowd is hushed

in anticipation.

Can he make this miracle shot ?

And he swings !

Fore !

Watch your heads !

Now I'd

never seen him play myself,

since it was before I was born,

but it was said that Junuh

had been on track to becomin'

the greatest golfer...

this country

had ever seen.

Titanic off the tee.

Approach shots

which fell to earth,

as Sam Snead once put it,

"like a butterfly

with sore feet."

He won just about everything.

But even he was the first

to say that his most

significant victory...

was winnin' the heart

of Adele Invergordon,

daughter of

the wealthiest man in Savannah.

¶¶

But fate plays funny tricks.

¶ The Yanks are coming

The drums rum-tumming

everywhere ¶

It was a patriotic

call to arms to fight

"the war to end all wars."

Junuh and everyone else in town

believed it was his destiny...

to lead the young men

of Savannah into battle.

¶ Till it's over

over there ¶¶

¶ How ya gonna keep 'em

away from Broadway ¶

¶ Jazzin' around ¶¶

It was to be

his crowning glory.

But nothing could have

prepared him or anyone...

for the shock and sorrow

of what was to come.

Positions.

Get ready.

Ready, Captain.

Positions.

Prepare to advance.

Ready, sir.

Advance !

Advance !

Confused, broken...

and unable to face a return

to a hero's welcome,

Junuh just disappeared,

hopin' to forget...

and to be forgotten.

But Adele,

bein' a woman of the South,

had survived

worse than desertion.

And she moved on

with her life,

dedicatin' herself

to her father's dream.

What we have here is

the most magnificent golf resort

on the face of God's good earth,

and I am buildin' it

right here in Savannah.

Krewe Island, legacy

to my sweet Adele.

And we'd like to use all of you

as our main suppliers.

I was ten years old

when Junuh came home.

Stop !

Less than a year later,

the Great Depression

that swept the nation...

hit Savannah.

Jobs were lost, stores

and banks were shut for good.

And John Invergordon,

havin' spent his last dime

on his great dream,

opened Krewe Island

on what should have been

a glorious spring day.

¶¶

¶ My consolation when blue ¶

¶ So just supposing that you ¶¶

It might not

have been a shot heard

round the world,

Oh, Daddy !

but it sure reached every nook

and cranny in Savannah.

I'll be putting some doors

and closets in the parlor.

With any luck,

we could have some boarders

within a few weeks.

Hardy, you think you

can share your room

with Cara Mae ?

What about

the store ?

¶¶

Oh, Jesus.

I've died

and gone to hell.

It's not as though

you got a choice, Adele.

Your Krewe Island

golf resort

is dead and gone.

You've got the gumption

of a corn fritter, Neskaloosa.

My gumption is not the subject.

Well, then what is the subject,

gentlemen ? Huh ?

If it's your offer to take

Krewe Island for one-tenth

of what my father spent--

You are lucky to be gettin'

a dime on the dollar, Adele.

Just so you gentlemen can turn

right around and resell it...

to some Carolina paper mill

for a tidy profit ?

The fact that you've most likely

got the deal in your pocket

already is not my problem.

Maybe we should come back

when the shock of your

father's passing...

isn't so-- so--

Oh, God.

Don't bother.

I'm not sellin'.

You got a stack of debts

that'd fill every storage bay

in the Cotton Exchange--

And I intend

to pay them off.

- In time.

- With what ? Ball tokens ?

With money people gonna spend

once they know that this is

the premier resort in the South.

Did I miss somethin' ? Did I ?

Or are we not in the midst

of a great depression ?

There's still people with money,

Neskaloosa, and I'm gonna make

sure they know about Krewe.

But how exactly do you

intend to accomplish that ?

- How ?

- Well, how ?

How ?

I'll tell you how.

I'm gonna have the greatest

exhibition match ever held...

on the greatest

golf course ever built.

- Bobby Jones...

- Bobby Jones ?

-will be playin' Walter Hagen...

-Walter Hagen ?

-for the grand prize of $10,000.

-$10,000 ?

You can't be serious, Adele.

$10,000 for

one weekend ?

Well,

I'd make it more,

gentlemen,

but that's just about

all I believe I can raise...

if I sell

everything I own...

on this earth.

Except, of course,

Krewe Island.

Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen

are comin' to Krewe Island ?

Playin' an exhibition

match for ten grand ?

That's correct.

They don't know it yet,

but that's exactly

what they'll be doin'.

Have you gone totally

off your rocker ?

Nobody has the right

to call Krewe Island

"Invergordon's Folly."

Nobody.

Good day, gentlemen.

Adele !

Nobody holds your father

responsible for this

depression, Adele !

You're a damn fool,

Adele !

Save your breath, Judge.

She'll sell to us.

You really think Bobby Jones

and Walter Hagen are gonna

come to Krewe Island...

just 'cause Adele Invergordon

wants 'em to ?

All four golf championships

in a single year.

The Grand Slam.

Simply amazing.

I don't believe that's

ever been done before in

the history of golf, has it ?

Well, no, it, uh--

It, uh--

It just takes

my breath away.

You don't impress me as someone

who tends to lose her breath,

Miss Invergordon.

Did you know, Mr. Jones, that

reprobate Mr. Walter Hagen--

who I hear spends his every

minute chasin' after women--

has been approached about

playin' in next's month's

$10,000 Krewe Island match ?

No, I didn't.

But I'm not clear how

this is an urgent matter

for the American Red Cross.

- Did I say that ?

- At the front door.

May I speak candidly,

Mr. Jones ?

I wish you would.

I've come here today to see you

because to the South,

you are a hero.

They see you

as a young god:

brave, valiant,

glorious.

One of the greatest golfers

in the world today.

I would say the greatest golfer

in the world today...

were it not for that unfortunate

incident last year when that

profligate, Mr. Hagen,

whupped you by 12 strokes

on your very own course.

You say he's been

invited to play at

Krewe Island next month ?

She has a remarkable talent,

Mr. Hagen.

I was the one

who hit the ball.

I wonder if you might excuse us

for just a couple of minutes,

Anna Mae ?

It won't be long.

A charming woman, Mr. Hagen.

Although she gave me quite

a fright for a moment there.

With so much weight distributed

in front, I'd have sworn she'd

topple back to the floor...

before she ever

got to her knees.

I do admire

a man with your...

vitality.

Oh ?

The South is in such

an unfortunate place these days,

and Savannah most of all.

The memories of our disastrous

defeat in the War Between

the States still linger,

and with them, the defeated,

uncertain men who returned

lacking the vigor...

we woman normally associate

with your gender.

Hmm.

And now, sadly,

here is Savannah,

teeming with the most

attractive young women,

and nobody,

absolutely nobody...

to satisfy them.

Hmm.

Except for, perhaps,

Bobby Jones, who will be playing

in our Krewe Island tournament.

So he says, "It don't matter what it is.

It won't hurt you.

You just pop one

in your mouth,

and you chew !"

I'm pleased to announce

that Mr. Bobby Jones

and Mr. Walter Hagen...

have accepted

my golfin' invitation,

with enthusiasm.

This, of course,

is Miss Adele Invergordon's...

commitment to her father's

dream, possibly the most--

Not one to concede

defeat easily,

Neskaloosa engineered a local

uprising against the tournament.

And I'm sure that you boys

would think I've been drinkin'

too much blackjack tea.

'Course, these are our streets

that they're gonna

be parkin' in.

They will tax the limits

of our constabulary--

Do you think one of them

damn rich Yankees...

gives a hoot about Savannah

or anybody in it ?

Now, now, now, now, now.

Now, we need the Yankee,

but we also need

someone from Savannah...

in the match,

one of us,

givin' Jones and Hagen

a real run for their money.

Then they'll know

what we're made of.

We need someone from Savannah

playin' in our tournament !

What about Dougal McDermott ?

He'd turn a trick or two.

He's a Scot. The only time he

comes into town is to get drunk.

- Bobby Jones is from Atlanta.

- I said, Savannah !

The South.

The real South.

Neskaloosa knew the golden rule

of politics better than anyone:

If you can't beat 'em,

lead 'em.

All right, all right.

Hold it, hold it !

Hold it, everyone !

There's one person

we're forgettin'.

We all know there's one man

who hits gargantuan drives

off the tee...

and has a lock picker's

touch around the greens.

Savannah's own Enderby

"Cottonmouth" Conyngham.

Wait a minute !

He's 80 years old !

He'd need one caddie

to carry his golf clubs...

and two

to carry him !

Junuh could whip 'em both.

You're off

your rocker.

Junuh couldn't whip a dead

possum in a gunnysack.

That ain't true.

Oh, yeah ?

- What about Captain Junuh ?

- Who ?

Captain Junuh.

My dad says he's the greatest

golfer Savannah ever had.

Hardy.

Well, it's true.

You must've said it

a hundred times.

Sit down, son.

The boy's got a point.

-Junuh's born and bred Savannah.

-Exactly !

- And this is the point !

- I heard he just disappeared.

Forget Rannulph Junuh,

assumin' you can locate

his whereabouts.

I hear he's so far gone,

he wouldn't know a putter

from a pussy willow.

I know where

to find him.

You find him, Hardy,

and we will be there.

Fly, lad, with winged sandals

on your feet !

If I live to be a thousand,

which doesn't seem likely,

I'll never know

where I got the courage

to call out like that.

But once I did,

I wasn't backin' down.

This could've been

the stupidest idea

I've ever had.

Captain Junuh ?

Captain Junuh ?

This is Hardy Greaves, sir.

Get outta here

with that.

Hey, just make sure

you guys save some

of that money for me.

Whoa-ho-ho !

What have we here ?

Well, well.

Look like we got

a new cardplayer, gents.

It's all right, boy.

There's no need to be scared.

I ain't scared.

I've seen men drunk

plenty of times.

Well, what do they look like ?

Well, they ain't

much to look at.

At least not so much as

they seem to think it is.

But it don't scare me none.

Gentlemen, we may be

lookin' at the only male

in Chatham County...

who isn't completely

full of shit.

What's your name, son ?

Uh, Hardy.

Hardy Greaves.

- You Frank Greaves' boy ?

- Yes, sir.

What brings

you here, Hardy ?

Maybe I'd better come back

when you're not so busy.

Busy ? I thought you

were gonna say drunk.

But I'm not busy

and I'm not drunk.

Fact is, there ain't enough

whiskey in the state of Georgia

to get me drunk enough.

Well, how drunk

is drunk enough,

- Captain Junuh ?

- Whoo.

Good question, Hardy.

Come on over here, take a seat.

I'll tell you how drunk

drunk enough is.

Aaron, you think you

can find the young man

a bottle of Nehi ?

Expect I could.

Just as long as I takes

my money with me.

Now, the question

on the table...

is how drunk

is drunk enough ?

And the answer is that it's

all a matter of brain cells.

- Brain cells ?

- That's right, Hardy.

You see, every drink

of liquor you take kills

a thousand brain cells.

But that doesn't

much matter, 'cause

we got billions more.

And first the

sadness cells die,

so you smile

real big.

And then

the quiet cells go,

so you just say

everything real loud

for no reason at all.

But that's okay, because

the stupid cells go next,

so everything you say

is real smart.

And finally...

come the memory cells.

These are tough

sons of bitches to kill.

Well, there's a golf match

out at Krewe Island...

between Bobby Jones

and Walter Hagen,

and there was a meeting

to see who would stand up

for Savannah in the match,

so I said you would.

That's why I'm here,

so you can beat Bobby Jones

and Walter Hagen.

Hell, I'm a whole lot

drunker than I thought.

I'll caddie for ya.

You gonna

caddie for me ?

Against Bobby Jones

and Walter Hagen ?

Yes, sir !

- I'll caddie for you too.

- Aaron will carry the clubs.

I'll carry the balls.

And I'll carry them

little wooden tees !

And I'll carry Junuh !

I wasn't jokin' !

I heard my dad tell how

you won every golf tournament

there ever was in the South.

And how you hit

a drive so long...

that they made you

stop playin' for 20 minutes

just to measure it for a record.

And how you

used to swing righty,

but you was in the woods once

by this tree, and there was

no room to swing righty,

so you borrowed

some guy's lefty club...

and hit the ball

six inches from the hole.

It's time for you

to go home, Hardy.

I ain't goin'.

Well, suit yourself,

'cause I'm goin' to bed.

Night,

gentlemen.

- The hell you doin'

in my house ?

- Trespassin', Junuh.

But on a matter of great

importance-- to no less

than Savannah herself.

Some delegate you got there.

Isn't it a little

past his bedtime ?

Isaiah 11:6:

"And a little child

shall lead them."

This is a once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity, Junuh.

So what's in it

for you ?

Pride.

The great city of Savannah,

so close to my heart.

So close to all our hearts.

Well, you're wastin' your time ?

I'm not playin'.

Why is that ?

I lost my swing.

Then find it.

Goddamn it !

Because you're playin' !

That's all there is to it !

Savannah needs you, Junuh !

Why don't you get Dougal

McDermott ? He'll play.

Balls !

We don't need some sawed-off

Scotsman poopin' drives out

40 yards...

in Jones' and Hagen's way.

We need a man with

thunder in his fist,

a hero to boom that pill out

past those golfin' gods !

- We need a knight.

- You are our gentle-born

chevalier.

That's one hell

of a speech, fellas.

I don't take no

for an answer.

Well, you're gonna have to,

'cause I'm not playin'.

Now get out.

Someone you picked up

on your travels ?

He's not mine.

He's a little young for

a drinking companion,

don't you think ?

So, Adele,

what can I do for you ?

I think you know

why I'm here, Junuh.

I do.

A little late to be out lookin'

for romance, though, isn't it ?

Would that do it,

Junuh ?

Would you play in the match

if I had sex with you ?

Yeah, that would do it.

Well, that's good,

Junuh.

Considering how infrequently

we've seen each other

since you've been back,

I thought this was

gonna be more difficult.

Now, where would you

like to do it ?

Right here is fine.

Don't worry about him.

He's out like a light.

Take an earthquake

to wake him up.

For an earthquake,

you'd have to play many more

tournaments at Krewe Island...

and do quite well

at them.

Well,

how do you suggest

we begin ?

Shall I just run

and jump on you,

or would you like some

preliminary romancin' ?

- Romancin' sounds good.

- Very well, then.

Here's one

short kiss.

It is, I'm afraid,

all the romancin'

I have in me at this time.

I do hope I haven't

given the impression that

I'm cryin' over us, Junuh,

because I'm not.

You're not ?

No, I'm not.

I'm cryin'

over Savannah.

Savannah ?

Over her pain

and the pain

of her people.

You're in tears

over Savannah ?

I am.

I truly am.

Then who'd you take

your clothes off for ?

Chattanooga ?

Well.

This certainly has been

a colossal waste of time.

I didn't ask you

to come here.

No, you certainly did not,

Junuh.

You know, if you ever

get tired of sittin' around

and feelin' sorry for yourself,

a little golf might

just do you some good.

I've lost my swing,

Adele.

Really ?

Where'd it go ?

You can open your

eyes now, Hardy.

Your education is over.

Go on home now.

Jesus.

- Who's that ?

- Just me.

Just a man tryin'

to find somewhere

to rest his tired feet,

takin' in some

of God's glories.

- My, what a night.

- I could've killed you

out there.

Oh, no, sir.

See, I set myself

directly in front of you.

Judgin' by how you was hittin'

them balls, I figured that's

where I'd be out of harm's way.

Excuse me, sir.

They say you can

tell a player by his grip.

If you want some food or

somethin', you can go on

into the house, help yourself.

Oh, thank you

kindly, sir.

Yeah.

Yeah, I always felt

a man's grip on his club...

is just like a man's

grip on his world.

- Look, is there

somethin' you want ?

- Five dollars guaranteed.

Guaranteed for what ?

Well, there's a big match

comin' up with Mr. Jones

and Mr. Hagen.

Fella gonna

be needin' a caddie.

You a caddie ?

Well, that depends.

You a golfer ?

Well, I don't need a caddie

'cause I'm not playin'.

I don't play

anymore at all.

Oh. Well,

thank you, sir.

I'll take you up on

that food you offered me.

All right.

Evenin', sir.

Mm-hmm.

Don't make

no sense, is all.

Man say he don't play no golf,

yet he out here

this shade of night,

hittin' balls off into dark

where he can't even see 'em.

Yep, well, I've done things

that made less sense.

As we all have.

For $5 guaranteed,

I'm offerin' you

my caddie services.

For $5 ?

You know the winner gets

10,000, and the caddie's

cut is 10% of that.

So that's $1,000.

I'll take $5

guaranteed.

- You don't want $1,000 ?

- You done already said

you ain't even playin'.

And Lord knows

how awful you're

gonna look if you do.

So $5 guaranteed

sounds pretty good

from where I'm sittin'.

Yeah, the rhythm of the game

just like the rhythm of life.

Here.

Here !

Oh, no, sir,

I don't--

Go on.

Go ahead.

Well, thank you, sir.

You know, some folks say

you should put the ball in--

in the front of your stance.

Other folks say

you should put--

You gonna hit the ball

or are you gonna dance with it ?

Actually, I'm kind of

partial to dancin'.

Me and this gal--

Hit the ball.

So, you're a golfer.

Uh, no,

I don't play golf.

Give me that damn thing.

Here, uh--

See, the trick is...

to find your swing.

What'd you say ?

Well, you lost your swing.

We got to go find it.

Now, it's somewhere

in the harmony

of all that is--

Ooh.

All that was--

Ooh.

All that will be.

Whoa.

Ooo-eee !

I ain't seen a man

hit a ball like that...

since the North-South

Championship of 1916.

You know, they stopped play

for 20 minutes to measure

how far it went.

Bagger Vance

the name.

Come on, let's hit

a few more.

And that,

they say, is how Bagger Vance

became Junuh's caddie.

Oh, yeah.

One more

just like that.

Just like

that one there.

I'm tellin' you the truth,

Wilbur Charles.

She was down to her

panties and brassiere.

And you were in the room

watchin' all the time ?

You really think we're that

stupid that we believe...

Miss Adele got down

to her skivvies with you

right in the room watching ?

It's the God's

honest truth, Eugene.

Scalp me, shrink my head,

and roast it on the stake...

if that ain't

exactly what happened.

She thought I was asleep

the whole time.

And that ain't all.

Junuh's gonna play.

He said that ?

Not in so many words, but--

Hey, look over there.

Ain't that Miss Adele now

across the street ?

Where ? Where ?

She just went into

Louder's Notions.

I could swear it's her.

I'd know that

figure anywhere.

Well, as far as Junuh

is concerned, I guess

that's just about it.

If we don't have someone

from Savannah, I will not

support this match.

All right.

I'll play in your

damn golf match.

I should've let you

finish what you started.

Now I got nothin' at all

to show for it.

Well, for the life of me,

I have no idea what

you're referrin' to.

I can explain it if you like.

I don't believe

that will be necessary !

God bless Savannah.

The day that Jones and Hagen

arrived in Savannah...

was declared a holiday.

¶¶

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to

the first golf tournament--

That's O.B. Keeler.

He writes for

theAtlanta Journal.

He goes wherever

Bobby Jones goes.

And that's Walter Hagen's man,

Spec Hammond.

They say Hagen

won't play without him.

And that's Grantland Rice,

the most powerful sports writer

in the country.

And he's staying

at our boarding house,

because he's nobody's man.

Aah !

Mr. Robert Tyre Jones, Jr.,

of Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr. Jones has won

13 national championships,

including four U.S. Opens

and five U.S. Amateurs.

He has also won

all three British Opens

in which he has played.

For the first time

in history, last year...

he won the Grand Slam--

all four major golf

championships in a single year !

But what is not well-known

is that at the very same time...

he was winnin'

all his championships,

Mr. Jones was earning

a degree in engineering

from Georgia Tech,

a degree in English

Literature from Harvard,

and a law degree from Emory

University here in Georgia,

all with distinction.

Mr. Walter Hagen--

Mr. Hagen has won

11 national championships,

includin' four British Opens

and five PGA's.

And in one stretch,

Mr. Hagen won 22 straight

professional championships.

That's work !

Mr. Rannulph Junuh--

Walter, I think

we're the underdogs.

Born and bred

in Savannah, Georgia !

Mr.-- Mr. Junuh won

the Georgia Amateur

at the age of 16,

makin' him the youngest man

to ever do so.

And until he left for

the war, was considered...

the South's premier golfer.

Mr. Junuh returned

from the war a hero,

decorated with

the Medal of Honor...

for survivin'

a deadly mission in which...

most--

Most-- uh--

The rest of his company

were tragically defeated.

Boy, makes you think twice

about steppin' on his ball,

doesn't it, Bobby ?

Mr. Hagen.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen...

and our very own

Rannulph Junuh !

¶¶

On behalf--

On behalf of the great

city of Savannah--

Sure is some storm

a-brewin'.

So, where you

off to ?

However far it takes.

You don't expect me

to stay around here, do you ?

Oh, no, not me.

I consider it one of the six

great miracles of the world

you was even there at all today.

Let me help you

with these bags.

You heard Adele.

Bobby Jones never finished lower

than second in any tournament

he ever played in.

I believe Miss Adele said

he finished lower

than second once.

Must've been the week

he took his law exams.

Yeah, I believe

it was.

Uh, you gonna be needin'

these shoes where you're

goin', Mr. Junuh ?

They look like they

just about my size.

Keep 'em.

Thank you kindly,

sir.

Yep, sure is some storm

headin' this way.

It's a real pleasure

to welcome you to our home.

It's a pleasure to be here,

ma'am. Thank you.

Hardy, you take

his belongin's

up to his room.

Then come right back.

I got chores for you.

Yes, ma'am.

I expect this is the most

exciting sportin' event ever.

Ain't it, Mr. Rice ?

Why is that, son ?

Why ? 'Cause of

Jones and Hagen.

They's out for blood.

Oh, I didn't come

for Jones or Hagen.

I came for Rannulph Junuh.

You come all the way down

from New York City

to see Junuh ?

Uh-huh.

I saw Junuh play once.

Then he disappeared.

I'd love to see him

play again, especially

against Jones and Hagen.

Go get 'em, Junuh !

You go get 'em !

God bless you, Junuh !

Show 'em what

Savannah's made of !

- Go get 'em, Junuh !

- Hey, Junuh, give 'em hell !

- "Give 'em hell."

- You can do it !

Damn.

So I takes it you was

interested in bein'...

Mr. Junuh's forecaddie.

- No.

- No ?

- No !

- No ?

Well, maybe I was,

but I guess I just ain't

got the nerve to ask you yet.

I ain't got the time

to sit around and wait, so

here's what I'm proposin'.

I'm gonna assume that just

about the moment you gets

up the nerve to ask me...

gonna be just about

the same moment I decide

I'm gonna tell you yeah.

How that suit you ?

That suits me

just fine, sir.

Folks call me Bagger.

Yes, sir, Bagger, sir.

You may want to get

to pickin' all the crud

out of Mr. Junuh's shoes.

You through with that,

we got us some measurin'

to do out on the course.

Junuh knew now

that if he were to have any

chance at all in the tournament,

he had no choice but to

come to terms with his demons.

The only question

in Junuh's mind...

was which demon was

givin' him the most aggravation:

Bagger Vance

or Miss Adele Invergordon.

Mr. Jones ?

Could you hold,

please ?

Thank you very much,

Mr. Jones.

¶¶

Any time now.

Okay.

That's very nice.

Thank you very much,

Mr. Hagen.

Dancin' picture, sir ?

Thank you

very much.

¶¶

That's it. Very nice look.

Right over here.

Big smile.

No, don't stop dancin'.

Stay together.

Just pretend there's music.

Keep goin'. Keep goin'.

Look right over here.

Okay.

Give me a smile.

Thank you

very much.

¶¶

May I have the pleasure

of this dance, please ?

Yes.

Longer.

A little shorter.

How's that ?

Yeah, that's good.

One stride equals a yard.

You go on over to the tee

and start countin'.

Top golfers always tried to get

a leg up on the competition...

by havin' the men

they trusted most sneak

onto the course at night...

and do their own

measurements.

So Bagger and I

walked the course

that night, measurin' away.

Bagger never

wrote down a number.

He filed it all

in his head.

Hit one a little harder.

Go on,

do that again.

Yeah, right here is

where this game is won,

right here on the green,

but first you got to see it.

Sun gonna be there

in the mornin',

over there

in the afternoon.

Funny thing is,

blades of grass...

are gonna follow the sun.

The grain

is gonna shift.

That same putt...

is gonna go one way

in the mornin',

the other

in the afternoon.

One way in the mornin',

the other in the afternoon.

You see that ?

Yeah, a golf course

puts folks through

quite a punishment.

It lives and breathes

just like us.

Do you think

Junuh can win ?

Yeah, if he can find

his authentic swing.

Authentic ?

Go on,

hit one more for me.

Yep, inside each

and every one of us...

is one true,

authentic swing.

Somethin' we was born with,

somethin' that's ours

and ours alone.

Somethin' that can't be

taught to you or learned.

Somethin' that

got to be remembered.

Over time, the world can

rob us of that swing.

It get buried

inside us under...

all our wouldas

and couldas and shouldas.

Some folks even forget

what they swing was like.

Some folks even forget

what they swing was like.

You keep swingin'.

But I don't have

any balls.

Don't worry about

hittin' the ball

the way it's gonna go.

Just swing the club,

feel the club.

Now close your eyes.

Close my--

You can't make that

ball go in that hole.

You got to let it.

I want you to feel that club,

feel the weight of the club.

Settle in deeper, then

drop the ball soft as butter.

Listen to the sounds

of the night.

You just keep swingin' that club

until you feel the breeze

comin' off the sea.

Inside every one of us

is one true, authentic swing.

You just keep swingin' that club

until your authentic swing--

You're part of the whole thing,

somethin' you was born with.

That's a good thing.

I don't feel a thing.

You just keep swingin'

that club until you're

part of the whole thing.

That's a good thing.

Can you see it ?

All right,

time to go.

Why ?

They say that God is happiest

when His children are at play.

Well, it certainly seemed like

God was in fine spirits when

the day of the match dawned.

People came from far and wide.

There wasn't a room to be found

in either boarding house

or the Krewe Island Hotel.

The match had been designed

as the ultimate championship:

thirty-six holes on Saturday...

followed by another grueling

thirty-six holes on Sunday.

Good luck today.

Where's Hagen ?

Oh, he'll be here.

Hello, Mr. Junuh. How are you ?

Bob, how are you ?

Walter.

They do put on a splendid

show, don't they, O.B. ?

I hear that later today

they'll even be hittin'

some golf balls.

Ladies and gentlemen.

By virtue of the draw,

Mr. Jones will hit first,

Mr. Hagen second,

and then Mr. Junuh.

Shh.

And then suddenly,

in that moment,

I felt as if I could hear

the earth breathin' beneath me.

Junuh hit a promising

opening drive,

and I was sure

he was on his way.

Nice shot.

Absolutely.

It's hard

to imagine three more different

approaches to the game of golf.

Bobby Jones's swing was

a study of grace in motion.

He had a way of making

the difficult shots look easy...

and the easy shots

look even easier.

Hagen, on the other hand,

hit more bad shots

in a single game...

than most golfers do

in a season.

But Hagen had long ago

learned one thing.

Three lousy shots

and one brilliant shot

can still make par.

And Junuh, well, even now

I can't think of it

without wincin'.

Beach.

Go ball, go.

Yep. Beach.

We sure got lovely weather

for it this morning, though,

don't we ?

Let me get that

from you, sir.

Any ideas ?

Hmm. About what ?

Could you give me

a club ?

Yeah.

That's a good one there.

What the hell's wrong

with his grip ?

By the end of five holes,

Junuh was five strokes behind...

with 67 holes to go.

And things would've been

a lot worse if it weren't

for Junuh's shot on the sixth.

It was a birdie,

one stroke under par...

for the hole,

moving him to four behind

Jones and Hagen...

and his only glimmer of hope

for the entire round.

I think I found my game.

Good news, Mr. Junuh.

Now all we gots to do is

figure out what game that is.

By the 18th tee, at the close

of the morning round,

Jones and Hagen

were neck and neck.

And as for Junuh--

This is becoming

embarrassing.

Oh, no, sir.

It's been embarrassing

for quite some time now.

May I make a suggestion

to you ?

- What now ?

- Why don't you just hook it out of bounds ?

Yeah. Just curve it out

over them pretty trees

into the ocean.

Really, just do what you

been doin'. Then you'll

be so far out the match,

man, we can just relax,

enjoy ourselves

the rest of the way.

Yeah.

What you waitin' for ?

Go on.

Just hook it to hell and gone.

Put yourself out your misery.

You want to quit,

Mr. Junuh ?

You can just go ahead

and creep off somewhere.

I'll tell folk you took sick.

Truth be told, ain't nobody

gonna really object.

Fact, they'd probably be

happy as bugs in a bake shop,

see you pack up and go home.

You know I can't quit.

I know.

Just makin' sure

you know it too.

Man alive !

The fairway.

Hello, Bagger.

Hello. Mr. Bagger Vance.

I want an explanation.

It better be a good one.

What on God's green earth

are you tellin' him ?

Sir, I'd sure be most

appreciative if we could talk

about this a bit later.

Right now I'm busy

assisting Mr. Junuh.

Well, you have done a hell

of a job of it so far.

Okay, okay !

Let me talk to him,

Neskaloosa.

Mr. Vance, I think

what the judge is trying

to determine here...

is what exactly your strategy

is for helping poor Mr. Junuh

find his game,

because to the untrained

observer it appears you know

as much about being a caddie...

as I do about

driving a locomotive.

Oh, you-all want

to know my strategy.

Well, right now my player

is a little confused

about who he is.

See, he still thinks

he's Rannulph Junuh.

He is Rannulph Junuh,

you damn twit.

Well, he is and he ain't.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anybody drinkin' ?

Here. I'm gonna get a drink.

It'll come.

I had me a uncle

named Rufus.

Lost his right arm

in a cotton gin.

Learned how to do everything

with his left arm.

- Then he lost that

changing a wagon wheel.

Axle snapped.

So he learned how to do

everything with his teeth.

- It was a mistake.

- One night he says some

dumb things to Mr. Johnny...

he shouldn't had said.

Mr. Johnny knock

all the teeth out his head.

So he learned how to do

everything with his feet.

Up till he got this, uh, fungus.

It grew--

- Stop it.

- I'm trying to tell you

about overcoming adversity.

Listen, you want to talk to me

about my grip, fine.

- Talk about my swing, fine.

- You don't wanna hear

about the fungus ?

He became a dancer.

Oh, he made a fortune.

It was the most amazing thing

to see this armless, toothless

man sliding across the stage...

to the music

of Bessie Smith and the Duke.

I don't care

if I'm 12 strokes back.

I just don't.

You don't even want

to win ?

- It's just a game, Bagger.

- Ah. Yes, sir.

You done said it yourself now.

Just a game.

So maybe, just maybe,

there is something else

that's rilin' you.

Maybe you thought

you was just gonna sashay

out onto that green...

and the old hero of Savannah

just reappear all by hisself.

Don't work that way,

is all.

The Junuh you was, you

ain't never gonna be again.

Ever.

That's all I'm sayin'.

You don't know

a damn thing about me.

I know one thing for sure.

You gonna look pretty foolish...

with two different shoes

on your feet.

Ah, Jesus.

You got an answer

for everything,

don't you, Bagger ?

Let me tell you something.

There's no difference

between winning and losing...

and anything in between.

What's lost is lost.

A man lives. A man dies.

And in the end

it all turns out the same.

You're alone.

And that's all

you're ever gonna be.

Is that a fact ?

Alone.

So, a soul is born

with everything

that the Lord can give it,

and things don't go its way, so

it just gives up, and the good

Lord takes everything back ?

- That's right.

- And then the soul dies.

- Alone. Was that pretty much

what you're sayin' ?

- That's right.

That's a sad story,

Mr. Junuh.

Yes, it is.

And that's just about

the dumbest thing...

I heard any fool say...

ever.

You got yourself a hard eye

there, Mr. Junuh.

Soul is born with everything,

it dies, and the good Lord--

You're a funny man,

Mr. Junuh.

Now, what I hear,

Bobby's just waitin'

to make his big move.

He doesn't wanna

peak too early.

You think Walter

doesn't know that ?

He's keeping pace with Bobby

step for step.

And when Bobby kicks

his game into high gear,

he's in for a big surprise.

What about Junuh ?

Well,

what about him, son ?

Well, there's still

three rounds to go.

And that's 54 holes.

All he's got to do is

pick up one stroke...

every four holes,

and he wins.

- It's possible.

- Well, it's possible, son,

but it's not very likely.

I mean, I have been told

that Junuh shows no sign

of gettin' his game together.

He's playin' Bobby Jones

and Walter Hagen.

What do you know ?

You can't even get yourself

a decent job !

Hardy ! Hardy Greaves,

you come back here.

Let him go, Ida.

Been a hard time

for the boy.

There something

you wanted to tell me ?

Well, I'm tryin' to think of

how to say it, Junuh.

There is a purpose

to this visit,

and that's to apologize.

But I'm not

a naturally apologetic woman,

so it takes me longer...

to get my thoughts in order.

I want to seem properly contrite

for having gotten you

into this golf match,

but not seem that what I did

was ill-intentioned,

because it was not.

What exactly are you

apologizin' for ?

For publicly

humiliating you.

Oh. Well, that'd

be a good thing

to apologize for.

However... I think that...

basically, what I'm

trying to say is--

is that I'm sorry.

But it's not my fault.

You're the one to blame.

That's one hell

of an apology, Adele.

I'd stop the tournament

in a flash, if I could.

I truly, truly would,

because I know it's just

gonna get worse.

And the way you're playin' !

You're simply destroyin'

any chance...

Jones and Hagen have

of playin' well.

And your supporters,

who are every man,

woman and child in Savannah,

are so demoralized that

they can barely hold down

their lunches.

So, you want my apology

or not ?

No.

Well.

That's the Junuh

I know.

Just full

of little surprises.

What was it, Adele ?

What did you like about us ?

I liked the way

we danced.

What's your problem ?

And they was just lookin' at me

like I was stupid or crazy

or something.

To think that you could beat

Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen

bein' 12 strokes behind,

even though I told them

all you had to do was

pick up one stroke...

every four holes

of the next 54 holes, right ?

Yeah, right.

And who do you think

was tellin' me...

what a hopeless case

you was the most ?

My very own father,

who says that he was

a good friend of yours...

until you lost your mind

in the war.

He's right.

You can't win ?

He was a good friend

of mine.

He's sweepin' streets,

Captain Junuh...

in the middle of Savannah

where everybody can see him.

Me, my friends

and everybody.

You feelin' sorry for yourself

because your daddy's

got to sweep streets ?

He ain't the only man

who can't get work.

Wilbur Charles's dad

can't get work neither,

but he says he'd rather do

nothin' at all than something

beneath his dignity.

Grow up, Hardy.

It ain't time for me

to grow up, Mr. Junuh.

Your daddy's out

sweepin' streets because he took

every last dime he had...

and used it to pay up

every man and woman he owed...

and every business

who worked for him, instead of

declaring bankruptcy...

like everyone else in town,

including your best friend

Wilbur Charles's dad, Raymond,

which is why he's able

to sit around all day long

on his dignity.

You daddy stared adversity

in the eye, Hardy,

and he beat it back

with a broom.

You really love this game,

don't you ?

The greatest game there is.

You really think so ?

Ask anybody.

It's fun. It's hard.

You stand out there

on that green, green grass,

and it's just you and the ball,

and there ain't nobody

to beat up on but yourself.

Just like Mr. Noonan keeps

hittin' himself with a golf club

every time he gets angry.

He's broken his toe three times

on account of it.

This is the only game I know

you can call a penalty

on yourself--

if you're honest,

which most people are.

There just ain't

no other game like it.

I better get goin'.

In case you didn't see that,

Bobby, remind me when we're

out there.

I'll show you where it's at

when your second shot

catches up to it.

Oh, yes.

Greatest game there is.

- Right, Hardy ?

- Yes, sir.

The greatest game

there will ever be.

Just you and the ball.

All by your lonesome.

I think it's time.

- Time for what ?

- Time for you to see the field.

The field ?

I see the field.

It's 445 yards long.

It's got a little red flag

at the end of it.

It's 12 strokes ahead of me.

Come on.

That ain't it.

'Cause if you was seein'

the field, you wouldn't be

hackin' at that ball...

like you was choppin' weeds out

from under your front porch.

Just gimme the club.

Sorry I bring it up. Here.

You gonna take that.

Hack away.

All right.

What's the field ?

Fix your eyes

on Bobby Jones.

Here's a piece of work

here right now.

Give the man room.

Knock it out there,

Bobby.

Look at his practice swing.

Almost like he was

searchin' for somethin'.

Then he finds it.

Watch how he settle hisself

right into the middle of it.

Feel that focus.

He got a lot of shots

he could choose from.

Duffs and tops and skulls.

But there's only one shot

that's in perfect harmony

with the field.

One shot that's his.

Authentic shot.

And that shot

is gonna choose him.

There's a perfect shot

out there tryin' to find

each and every one of us.

All we gotta do is get

ourselves out of its way.

Let it choose us.

Mm. Look at him.

He in the field.

Can't see that flag

as some dragon you got to slay.

You got to look

with soft eyes.

See the place

where the tides and seasons...

and the turnin' of the earth...

all come together.

Where everything that is...

becomes one.

You got to seek that place

with your soul, Junuh.

Seek it with your hands.

Don't think about it.

Feel it.

Your hands is wiser than

your head ever gonna be.

I can't take you there,

Junuh.

Just hopes I can help you

find a way.

Just you, that ball,

that flag,

and all you are--

seek it with your hands.

Don't think about it. Feel it.

You're lookin' at it, Junuh.

Your authentic swing.

That flag.

And all that you are.

Even the blind squirrel finds

an acorn now and then, Bobby.

The rest of that afternoon

is a blur.

Junuh kept asking question

after question about the field,

while Bagger just acted like

nothin' much had happened...

and kept makin' remarks

about how much Hagen's socks

must have cost...

and how long

to dry tobacco leaves

before they make a good smoke.

But somehow,

in the middle of it all,

Junuh started playin' golf.

As the day and the second round

came to an end, there was

genuine excitement.

I do so enjoy

this little game.

Why don't you ladies

freshen up, and I'd love you

to join me for dinner.

Hello, Hugh.

Junuh.

I'll have a double Scotch.

All right, sir.

Pretty entertaining out there

today, huh ?

That's what the people want.

Entertainment.

I got a proposition, Junuh.

Exhibitions are the thing now.

Five, ten grand

for two days' work.

How'd you like to go

on tour with me ?

We'd have some good matches.

I'd expect to win, of course.

But then we'd split the money

70 - 30 afterwards.

You'd get the 30.

Oh, don't get me wrong.

I'm not just lookin'

for another payday here.

I couldn't breathe if it

weren't for this game of golf.

I once had the next king

of England hold the pin for me

while I putted !

Did you know that ?

I did.

Yes. I've paid back

everything that golf gave me

several times over.

But now I'm

on the receiving end.

Whoo.

It's the good life, Junuh.

Why me ?

The crowd likes you.

I think we have a lot

in common, you and I.

You've got no illusions that

there's anything out there

worth gettin' riled up about.

The meaning of it all

is that there is no meaning.

Ah, you'd be good company.

That's all I'm sayin'.

Thanks, Walter.

I'll think it over.

Hey. I admire the way you're

dealing with this match, Junuh.

Fighting the way you are.

It's damn noble.

But no matter how good

a fighter you are,

just remember, I can ask

the king to hold the flag

for me when I putt.

But he's not gonna give me

his crown. Neither is Bobby,

and neither am I.

I'm not asking

for your crown, Walter.

If I wanted it bad enough,

I'd just take it.

¶¶

Was there something you wished

to discuss ? Because this might

not be the right time to--

I can win, Adele.

I can beat both of 'em.

Look in my eyes

and tell me what you see.

Determination.

Pure determination.

Panic, Adele.

Pure panic.

I'm eight strokes behind

the two greatest golfers

in the history of the sport.

They've never blown a lead

in their lives, and I'm

gonna win. You know why ?

Panic ?

That's right.

Oh, Junuh.

You don't, by any chance--

Yes.

Oh, I ought to go back

to my guests.

Yes. I should go back

to my guests.

You-- You will

stay in touch ?

I don't think I can

wait another 12 years

for the next installment.

Was there something about me

that you particularly missed ?

Something that I can feel

gratified about depriving you

of all these years ?

I like the way we danced.

Make sure you got enough balls

in there. Got another sweater ?

Got enough water ?

Driver. I need the driver.

This is gonna take

everything I got.

Oh, that's for sure.

That's a jigger.

Help you keep it under the wind.

Bagger, my putter's got

more loft than this thing.

Well, actually,

they just about the same.

Oh. Well, that's good.

I'll just putt the ball

down the fairway, then.

Anything else ?

Just bash the livin' shit

out of it.

An iron.

Well, I don't suppose

it matters much

what club you use...

when you start the day

eight strokes back.

- What club was that ?

- Mid-iron.

Some kind of driving iron.

Extraordinarily well-hit.

- The flag !

Pull the flag, Hardy.

- Yes, sir.

Junuh eagled, pickin' up two

strokes on the very first hole.

And he picked up another stroke

when Jones bogeyed the second.

And two more strokes on Hagen

when he double-bogeyed

the third.

Does it look like

180 yards to you ?

No.

It's 181.

You might wanna play that ball

back just a bit in your stance.

He just hit a hole in one !

Hot dang !

I just seen a miracle

with my own eyes !

He just hit a hole in one !

Hey, Homer, you're not gonna believe this !

Junuh made a hole in one !

Junuh made a hole in one !

He's gonna make it !

He's gonna make it !

You're kiddin' !

What ?

What's up ?

Junuh's makin'

a run for it.

He's pulled within three

of Jones and two of Hagen.

He made a hole in one on eight !

God bless Savannah

and the men she propagates.

Let's go. Let's go !

Get back. Get back now.

How do you expect Junuh

to hit the ball if you stand

on top of him ?

Shh !

His play in the third round

was beautiful to watch.

While Jones and Hagen discovered

new hazards of their own,

Junuh had discovered,

as Bagger so eloquently put it,

how to stop thinkin'

without fallin' asleep.

Junuh finished the third round

one stroke behind.

It was a new match,

and no one knew it better

than Jones and Hagen.

Not now, girls.

Not now.

Gents.

Don't believe Walter planned

on exerting himself.

It was fun this morning,

wasn't it ?

Yeah, it was.

This is my last match, Junuh.

I'm retiring.

You're at the top

of your game.

I've got a wife and three small

children and a law practice.

It's time to stop.

It's just a game, Junuh.

You know, I'll never forget

you winnin' the Georgia Open

in 1916.

I'd never seen

a swing so sweet...

or a man get

so much pleasure from it.

This is my last 18 holes,

Junuh.

And I been thinkin',

I couldn't have picked

a better way to end it.

- Thank you, Bobby.

- It is truly my pleasure.

I can't let you win

out of sympathy.

You know that.

I do.

And I have no intentions

of losing my last match.

Gentlemen, excuse me, excuse me.

Let's give Mr. Junuh some room.

Thank you. Thank you.

I'd like to have a word

with you, Junuh.

I don't think this

is a good time, Adele.

No. I think this is

a very good time.

I don't wanna do anything

that might disrupt your

concentration or anything.

But since our little encounter

last night, I've been thinking.

Ten years and not one single

solitary word from you ?

You don't do that

to someone you love.

I deserve better. I deserved

some correspondence and some

indication of what you felt !

Oh, Junuh, I don't know

what happened to you.

But whatever it was, it could

not have been as unbearable...

as a woman waitin'

with no end in sight,

wonderin' if she's

remembered or forgotten

by the man she loves.

You never even said

you were sorry.

And now I'm supposed to just

run into your arms and melt

like butter on a hot muffin ?

I'm sorry, Adele.

I am. Truly sorry.

It's too late

for "I'm sorry," Junuh !

But-- Then--

Tell me what to say.

It was too long ago.

No, it wasn't.

It was just

a moment ago.

Did something happen

since we talked last night ?

No.

Not that I can think of.

Well, this is barely

the place to talk about it.

You gotta go back

to your game.

This town is gonna give you

the biggest damn parade

you ever seen !

Junuh was playin'

a fierce fourth round.

And a wild thought began

to percolate through the crowd.

Junuh could win.

- I think the driver, Bagger.

- Hey, give us a smile.

Well, you got water out there

on the left side. Why don't

you put your spoon out there...

with Jones and Hagen,

play this thing smart ?

I'm gonna hug the left,

get there in two and close

the door on these guys.

Get ahold of yourself now.

We got four more holes to go.

You settle down a little bit.

I never been more settled.

An eagle, and this thing

is over.

Oh, that's 300 or more yards

if it's an inch.

Looks like the longest drive

of the day, Mr. Junuh.

I'm gettin' there

in two.

Two twenty-five into the wind,

out of the bunker.

Geez. The lip's too high.

So much for an eagle.

Says who ?

Where's that drivin' iron,

Bagger ?

Well, there's a time to hit

that shot, and there's a time

to leave it in the bag.

Which one of them times

you feel this is ?

Tell him.

Tell him, Bagger.

Tell him it's a mashie, so he

can have one easy shot to--

That's amazing.

The man's gonna go for the green

with that cleeky lookin' thing ?

He's got the guts

of a Greek god.

I don't care

if he's Apollo,

son of Zeus.

That ball won't clear

the water.

I hope you're all

payin' customers.

Junuh ! Junuh, don't--

Shh. Hush yourself,

Hardy.

If first

you don't succeed.

Which would make your spot...

right here, Junuh.

Give it to him.

When Junuh dropped that ball,

it was as if every heart

in Savannah dropped with it,

none landing harder

than his own.

You gonna be wantin'

a different club there, Junuh ?

I can't do this.

Well--

Why don't you just loose

your grip up a smidge ?

A man's grip on

his club is--

That's not

what I'm talkin' about.

- I know.

- No, you don't.

What I'm talkin' about

is a game.

Game that can't be won.

Only played.

You don't understand.

I don't need

to understand.

Ain't a soul on this entire

earth ain't got a burden

to carry he don't understand.

You ain't alone in that.

But you been carryin' this one

long enough.

Time to go on.

Lay it down.

I don't know how.

You got a choice.

You can stop.

- Or you can start.

- Start ?

- Walkin'.

- Where ?

Right back to where

you always been.

And then stand there.

Still. Real still.

- And remember.

- It's too long ago.

Oh, no, sir.

It was just a moment ago.

Time for you to come on

out the shadows, Junuh.

Time for you to choose.

- I can't.

- Yes, you can.

But you ain't alone.

I'm right here with ya.

I been here all along.

Now, play the game.

Your game.

The one that only you

was meant to play.

The one that was given to you

when you come into this world.

You ready ?

Take your stance.

Strike that ball, Junuh.

Don't hold nothin' back.

Give it everything.

Now's the time.

Let yourself remember.

Rememberyour swing.

That's right, Junuh.

Settle yourself. Let's go.

Now is the time, Junuh.

Let's go, Hardy.

Hey, Bagger ?

Yeah ?

You are one hell

of a caddie.

Well, I do the best

with what I got to work with.

We ain't done yet.

By the 17th, Junuh

got his swing back.

You have the right to call the

game on account of darkness.

That crowd'll

string us up by our thumbs

if we don't finish.

All right !

Play will continue !

Oh !

This is when a man needs pals

in the mermaids' union.

Cars ! Get your cars, boys !

I want every car

on this property lined up

with lights blazin' !

I don't care if you're

kitchen help or Savannah police.

If you got a car,

get it in gear !

What's his mark ?

It was out of bounds.

Does he have a shot ?

Then Hagen came back

from the dead.

Can I get a smoke ?

I want you to tell Spec to hold

the flag in case I make it.

He'll love that.

I want a three iron.

Get my shoes,

will ya ?

Hey, what's goin' on ?

Hagen wants Spec

to hold the flag for him

in case he sinks it.

I'm gonna miss

playing Walter.

Don't hold nothin' back.

- The ball moved.

- No.

It moved.

I have to call a stroke

on myself.

No !

No. Don't do it.

Please don't do it.

Only you and me seen it,

and I won't tell a soul.

Cross my heart.

Ain't nobody gonna know.

I will, Hardy.

And so will you.

You've got to tell him

not to do it, Bagger !

It's just a stupid rule

that don't mean nothin'.

That's a choice

for Mr. Junuh, Hardy.

No one wanted the penalty

assessed,

not even Jones and Hagen.

This was no way to win a match.

Maybe you're mistaken, Junuh.

Maybe it moved before you

touched the impediment.

Might not have moved at all.

The light plays funny tricks

this time of day.

"A ball is deemed to have moved

if it leaves its original

position in the least degree,

but not if it merely oscillates

and comes to rest in its

original position."

Is she different ?

Can you be certain ?

Sometimes a ball

will shudder...

and then settle back

again, Junuh.

The ball was here,

and it rolled to here.

Hit it quick, old boy,

before you have time

to think about it.

You're leaving.

Yes, sir.

Yes, I am.

I need you.

No. No, you don't.

Not no more.

There is a small matter.

Round about five dollars.

It was guaranteed.

- Yes, it was.

- 'Spect you won't be

needin' these shoes back,

now that I done broke 'em

into my foot and all,

you know.

Thank you, sir.

This man is yours,

Hardy.

Take him on in.

Y-You want me...

to take over for you ?

You leavin' me ?

Oh, only for

a little while.

You pick up Mr. Junuh bag.

You tote it real straight,

now, you hear ?

But what if something

comes up...

and I don't know

what to do ?

I got a feeling

you'll figure it out.

But I'll be

seein' ya.

Whoa, wait a minute.

What's going on here ?

You can't leave him now.

He needs you, Bagger.

You're the only chance he's got.

You have to stay.

You walk out of here like

this, you'll never caddie

in Georgia again,

I'll personally see to it !

Ya hear ?

Where's Junuh lie ?

Two with a penalty.

Could be hittin' three.

Man. I can't hit it

any better than that.

Yes, sir.

Judging from the sound,

I think I just knocked

your ball in the cup.

Interesting match.

I always thought so.

All right, everybody.

Comin' through.

Out of the way.

Hagen and Jones both lay two,

a shot ahead of Junuh.

If either of them sank

their putts, Junuh would lose.

What do you think,

Hardy ?

Well, the night air

has gotten colder.

My guess is it's put a layer

of dew on the warmer grass,

which is gonna

slow your ball down.

Why don't you go on over

and stand with your father ?

Are you sure ?

Go ahead.

Go on.

That is one tough shot.

Make it.

Yeah !

Rannulph Junuh

from Savannah, Georgia...

tied Mr. Bobby Jones

and Mr. Walter Hagen...

in the greatest golf match

the world has ever seen !

That was the last match

in competition...

Bobby Jones ever played.

From that time on,

Walter Hagen played

only exhibition matches.

As for Captain Rannulph Junuh

and Adele Invergordon,

they did have that dance.

And me ?

Well, it seems like yesterday

I used to see old guys like me,

wonder why they still bothered

with this crazy game.

But it doesn't matter.

As Bagger once said,

it's a game that can't be won,

only played.

So, I play.

I play on.

I play for the moments

yet to come,

lookin' for my place

in the field.