Is it just me or does this weeks Players Championship, which most consider the 5th major, have a very lacklustre feeling minus the presence of a certain phenomena? Heading into the final round this weekend, the only name of real significance is Sergio Garcia, who has been up and down all week long. Phil Mickelson is also hanging around four strokes back, but without a miraculous final round by Ol’ Lefty, this Players Championship will go down as the most boring ever.
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It just goes to show you what Tiger means to the PGA and how they owe him so much in bringing the sport of golf to heights never imaginable. For a while it looked like the young man, Anthony Kim, the winner of last weeks tournament might take a real run at the tournament, but after a third round 79, we can forget that. As you can see, when a tournament of this stature is missing Tiger Woods, it is missing so much more as well.
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It just seems to me that the PGA is putting all their eggs in one basket so to speak. In my humble opinion, they are going to have to look into this area soon or the hype the game has got over the past decade will be lost. It will be very interesting to see the viewer’s numbers from this past championship. Something tells me they will be lower than they have in years.
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Your thoughts?
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9 Responses to “Players Championship Has a Minor Feeling, Sans Tiger”
Posted: 05/11/08 at 4:28 pm
Too bad to had it end like it did with Goydos swimming on the playoff hole.
I wonder what your thoughts are regarding the choice of the playoff hole. Do you feel that it should have been played on another hole?
Posted: 05/12/08 at 4:51 am
I can see why they did it, being the signature hole and all, but I don’t like the fact they started it there to be honest. I would have to say they should stay with the normal format and go to 18 and then loop back to 16 then 17, if need be. It should spark some good debate though, don’t you agree Tim?
It’s nice to see Sergio get the monkey off his back, who knows what he’ll accomplish now. Remember when Mickelson got that monkey off his back, he went on quite the run after that.
Posted: 05/12/08 at 8:04 am
True about Mickelson getting going after a big win.
Just that when I covered the TPC in Scottsdale in late January every year, Sergio was always the biggest jerk when dealing with him. Actually when talking to beat writers who cover golf on a weekly basis they said he was possibly the biggest asshole on tour. So seeing him win yesterday, I cringed……once a jerk, always jerk! Sorry but just had to say it!
Posted: 05/12/08 at 8:38 am
Jamie,
I do think it will be somewhat controversial, and I agree with what you said. It is hard to see such a hard fought tournament end like it did…especially with what the weather conditions were like.
Kevin,
I hadn’t heard that, and that is too bad. What have you heard about Mickelson, I’ve heard similar rumors about him.
Posted: 05/12/08 at 9:59 am
I can say it doesn’t surprise me about Garcia and the way he is with the media, but that aside, you can’t take anything away from what he’s done at such a young age, but like anything any golfer does just pails in comparison to Tiger Woods doesn’t it?
I have also heard the same rumors about Lefty. Any truth to that Kev?
Posted: 05/15/08 at 5:13 am
I love the selection of 17 as a playoff hole. If you are going to have 1 hole decide the golf tourney what better way than having to hit the toughest shot on the golf course? Every tourney should be like this if using the 1 hole playoff system. Go to the toughest hole and have at it.
Posted: 05/15/08 at 6:44 am
Also if they started on 18 then did the loop thing all that people would be thinking is “boy I hope they make it to 17″…
Posted: 05/15/08 at 7:00 am
I actually prefer the 3 hole playoff format, but I guess you’re right that is brings excitement by starting on the 17th, but I just don’t like it being started on a par 3.
Posted: 05/15/08 at 10:02 am
ya i know what you mean in that 1 swing can win the tourney but in the case of the TPC @ Sawgrass the golf course offers no tougher swing mentally. You need to hit a good shot to a green with trouble all around it, to win the 5th major, that is a heck of a tough shot. Maybe not on a Tuesday afternoon at your local club but to win the Players it is a heck of a shot. My personal thoughts are play the toughest hole to settle it whether it be a par 3, 4, or 5. I also like the 3 hole playoff idea..I adore the 18 holer like the US Open but I realize the downside of that is TV. But I play match play every night pretty much and if my playing partner and I are square after 9 for who wins the front we go hole by hole sudden death for a winner…makes each shot very fun and if you get to a par 3 still square it sure puts some pressure on you to hit one in tight.