I caught the reruns of the US Open this evening (as I write). Another media event. I have never seen such a bunch of sour faced pros in my life.
I have only been following and playing golf for about 3 years and a 43 on the front nine for me feels like a gift. It was a real lesson to see how these pros, who are used to getting birdies and eagles and pars and all the glory act like the weight of the world was on their shoulders when the game "don't come easy". The "I'm better than this" attitude displayed was very disappointing.
Granted:
The course was brutal. - These guys know what everyone else is doing. Play accordingly.
The greens were high and dry. - Nothing seemed to grab on the irons in and yet putts did not roll smoothly. Kind of like what I have to play on at my local municipal court. Several of them putted like adolescents (no offense to the adolescents) decelerating putting strokes, going wide and short.
The wind was bad - Put the stinking driver away. Play for the wind and don't force the shots. Today a par was a winner. Tiger hit an adjacent fairway on one drive. (FYI - he looked very disgusted with himself. Like the his tires were only half filled. I wish him the best.)
I am not saying these players are not good. I also am not saying the course is the about the toughest one they will encounter. Some of the tournament courses look flatter and more manicured than my lawn (I am a terrible grass farmer).
Where is the casual banter when the golfers walk from green to tee and the smile when a shot does go well. Instead of taking every shot personally look at the course and smile in the face of adversity. I love when 9 over makes the cut. It is the great equalizer.
It shows what type of course these guys are used to.
The European Tour guys are doing well because Winged Foot is like many of the Championship Courses set up here in the UK.
In days gone by, you'd hit ONE IRON every where to keep the ball in play but the courses have been lengthened that much, this is no longer an option.
Of course they look sour faced - they're playing the hardest course of the year and getting their collective behinds handed to them. Nobody smiles when they're not scoring well - particularly pros. Remember, this is serious stuff and they WANT to perform well. But, if noticed some of the older guys like Jay Haas or Fred Funk in particular, they were all smiles after making or saving a good par. Keep in mind that not only are they playing for money, but they're also playing for pride.
The US Opens and other majors are examples of real golf. Winning a golf tournament at a couple under, even, somewhere like that, is what golf was designed to be. When golf was created, 30 under wasn't meant to be shot. You weren't supposed to go out there and shoot 7 under every day. What we are seeing is true golf.
As far as the player's personalities, I can see both sides of the argument. You could say that since it's their occupation, they shouldn't be out there laughing and smiling. I'm sure that no one here is happy when they make a mistake at their workplace, which is what the golf course is for these guys.
However, you could argue that this is simply a game, that these guys have plenty of money, and that they should loosen up.
Of course they look sour faced - they're playing the hardest course of the year and getting their collective behinds handed to them. Nobody smiles when they're not scoring well - particularly pros. Remember, this is serious stuff and they WANT to perform well. But, if noticed some of the older guys like Jay Haas or Fred Funk in particular, they were all smiles after making or saving a good par. Keep in mind that not only are they playing for money, but they're also playing for pride.
Good Comment,
I agree there I have always been impressed with Fred Funk. I haven't watched Jay as much but he has a good rep.
My intention is not to take away from some of the shining individuals or trash the severity of the course. Tough times show those with real character.
With a ton of money, pride, exemptions, and Ryder Cup points on the line of course someone is going to be unhappy with a poor perfomance. If you want to see laughing gleeful cronies go to your local club scramble. Thank you!
Sometimes you wonder why the guys complain so much...the Masters this year was won with a score of 281, and the lead going into Sunday was 212. The US Open, won with a score of 285, and the lead going into Sunday was 212. Take away the "par" and you have similar championships.
June 16th, 2006, 11:03 PM
?
Linear Mode
Similar Threads
