Most BassFans know that the legendary Rick Clunn holds the U.S. Open in extremely high regard – putting it right on par with the Bassmaster Classic (which he's won four times). The 1983 and 1986 Open champion and 3rd-place finisher this year today offered his thoughts on the cheating incident perpetrated by Mike Hart earlier this week.
"It's a type of desperation that's sickening in a way," he said. "I don't understand that mentality and why somebody would take that kind of chance. We've had isolated incidences of it over the years, but sooner or later these guys always get themselves caught.
"I think (WON Bass) handled it right, but if it were up to me, I'd have gotten a bunch of us old guys together who really respect the sport and we'd have taken him out in the desert and used the old Apache method of staking him to an ant bed. To me, that would be the fitting punishment."
The incident in no way diminishes the esteem he places upon the event.
"If I had one tournament to fish for the rest of my life, it would be the U.S. Open. The Classic isn't what it used to be because guys are getting so much help in that tournament and on the Elite Series. You can't get that kind of help on Lake Mead - you've got to do it yourself.
"It's the toughest tournament there's ever been and the toughest there ever will be. In my mind, you cannot say you're the best until you've won a U.S. Open in July, August or September."
