The State of Play on the PGA Tour

photo credit: zzazazz  

The year 2011 will be known as the year the PGA became an international enterprise instead of an American tradition.  

As Tiger Woods walked off the course, after missing the cut in the PGA Championship, it seemed to be an ominous sign that the PGA Tour has a serious problem.  American players no longer dominate the tour which is obviously bad for business.  Furthermore, as far as players are concerned,  there are no real glimmers of hope on the horizon.  The word “superstar” is no longer used in the world of professional golf.

The PGA Tour has lost much of it’s popularity with the literal disappearance of Tiger Woods as a competitive tour player.  During the PGA Championship television announcers tried to, once again, puff the participation of Woods in the tournament.  The wind came out of the press’  bubble as Woods missed the cut and was seen pouting as he walked to his car.  As Woods left, it seemed to be an ominous sign for the PGA Tour.  Factoid:  after two rounds, Woods was beaten by four non tour players (club professionals that had entered the tournament).

The PGA has got to do something to bring back viewers.  They’ve got to get out of their old stale mode and try something new.  New types of tournaments, perhaps match play events.  If they don’t think out of the box by trying new venues, they may lose their fan base for good.

Make no mistake, the game of golf itself is healthy it’s the PGA Tour that needs help.

Rory! Rory! Rory!

photo credit: Brian J. McDermott   The 2011 US Open Championship ushered in a new era on the PGA Tour.  The days of Tiger Woods' dominance over the game of golf are forever gone.  The door has opened for a new breed of young golfers led by Rory McILroy, the 2010 US Open Champion.  The “new blood” has been a long time coming and it will be a welcomed change over the preoccupation the media had with Tiger Woods.

Nearly two years ago, in a post on this blog-site, I predicted that Rory McILroy would be the new dominant force on the PGA Tour and the US Open proved my assumption.  McILroy smashed a bevy of US Open records with his brilliant 72 hole performance.  Every spectator became a part of history in watching the youngest US Open champion ever, walk down the 18th fairway to victory.

McILroy is a class act.  He respectfully removed his hat on his walk down the 18th hole.  He handed his father his trophy while saying “happy father's day Dad!”  Rory is a welcomed change over the make-believe phony persona of Tiger Woods.  It's about time kids everywhere have a new champion to look up to, someone who is the real deal and who is a proven great player.

Is it Time for a Change?

photo credit: Justin Tallaksen     Ever since Tiger Woods' career blew up,  the ratings of televised golf have deflated like a flat tire.   Let there be no mistake about it, Woods created the biggest boom in golf since Arnold Palmer and his army of loyal fans.   Now what?

The PGA needs to take a hard look at how they can stimulate more interest in the game.   They need to leap out of the stagnation of the same old venues and get creative.   One of the ways to do so might be to hold several tournaments that pit the PGA Tour against the Champions Tour and/or the LPGA Tour.

Another way to stimulate viewers is to hold match play events.   Why not hold tournaments that include club pros?  

The PGA should realize it's time for some major changes.

Tiger’s Pre-Masters Interview

photo credit: Keith Allison     On Monday April 5, 2010, Tiger Woods will make his first regular press conference, where he will be faced with questions from the press, since his departure from the game in November, 2009.

Since this is a “news conference” Woods opens himself up to the unscrupulous questioning of the press.   He should have to “face the music” but since the press (puppets of big business) are allies of Tiger, don't expect any big news to come out of this Q & A period.  

At present, Woods' primary goal is to restore some sort of credibility with the public.   It's a pre conceived effort to get back into public favor.   You can expect the “sex addict” excuse to be played like a broken record.   Don't expect much from this interview!

No. 17 Sawgrass vs. No. 16 Scottsdale TPC

photo credit: nsaplayer     The two most famous par 3's in the world are the 17th TPC Sawgrass (“the island green”) and hole no 16 at Scottsdale's TPC.   These little giants have earned their reputation as “game changers.”  

The 17th at Sawgrass is 130 yards but the landing area is tiny (15 to 20 yards) by tour standards.   The green sits deceptively at only 3 feet above the water.   This little par 3 has got  to be the most costly hole in golf

The 16th at Scottsdale's TPC is known as the “stadium” hole and can intimidate even the most confident golfer.   The attendance usually tips the scales at 20,000 wild and woolly fans.   Booze, boos and cheers flow as the golfers enter the amphitheatre.   The 16th is what  the game is all about, pure fun.

GOLF DIGEST US Open Challenge

photo credit: mihirvaze     The GOLF DIGEST Challenge is a yearly contest which requires the contestants to tell, in 60 words or less,  how playing in the Open Challenge would change  their lives.    Contestants may describe their game and what  they think  they would shoot on a US. Open  setup at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.

Tiger Woods made a famous statement before the first US. Open Challenge where he said “I  doubt any average golfer can break  100 on a course that's set up for the US. Open Championship.”   It's probably safe to assume that you have to play a respectable game.   Players can enter the contest by going to www.gdopencontest.com.    

The winner will  play  a round with celebrities which will be broadcast on national TV.

Tour Winnings

photo credit: Playadura*     In 2005, Tiger Woods earned more official PGA Tour prize money than the career Tour earnings of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus combined.   Winnings have grown at astronomical levels from 1955 to date, here are some results:

PGA  TOUR > 1955 – Julius Boros $63,121.   1965 - Jack Nicklaus $140,752.   1975 - Jack Nicklaus $298,149.   1985 - Curtis Strange $542,321.   1995 - Greg Norman $1,654,959.   2005 - Tiger Woods $10,628,024.

LPGA  TOUR >1955 – Patty Berg $16,492.   1965 - Kathy Whitworth $28,658.   1975 – Sandra Palmer $76,374.   1985 - Nancy Lopez $416,472.   1995 – Annika Sorenstam $666,533.   2005 - Annika Sorenstam $2,588,240.

EUROPEAN TOUR > 1965 – Peter Thompson $7,001.   1975 – Dale Hayes $20,507.   1985 – Sandy Lyle $254,711.   1995 - Colin Montgomerie $1,038,718.   2005 - Colin Montgomery $1,885,884.

Did Harrington Choke?

photo credit: gitsul.     Last year Padraig Harrington won two majors, The Open and the PGA Championship.   Many thought that  Padraig would unseat Tiger Woods and become the World's number one player, as Singh once did.   Oh!  how things can change.

In  the latter part of 2009,  Harrington knocked himself out of contention on two occasions in less than a month, one was the PGA Championship.    On both  occasions he did it by  hitting his ball from green-side rough, over the green and into a water hazard.    During the  PGA, it resulted in an 8 on a par 3 hole.    

Perhaps  it's the downfall of his career, as was  the case with  Gregg Norman and Phil Mickelson.    Was it simply  bad luck or an inability to overcome great adversity?   In Harrington's case,  it may  just be  bad luck !

He’s Back

photo credit: Keith Allison     After the Arnold Palmer Invitational Golf Tournament,  Tiger Woods is back with a vengeance.   After winning his sixth tournament at the Arnold Palmer designed, Bay Hill  Golf Course  in Orlando, Florida. Woods said “it was good to feel the 'heat' once again.”  

Woods, behind by  5 shots going into the fourth round, beat a disappointed Sean O'Hair by one stroke by sinking a 15 foot putt on the 72nd gole in near darkness.   Tiger Woods, as he has done so many times before, stunned everyone as the putt dropped in the cup.

There was speculation whether  Woods would be ready for the 2009 Masters after his long  lay-off following knee surgery and a leg  fracture.   The win at  Bay Hill  was his 60th tour victory  and it left no doubt that Tiger is again, “in the hunt.”

Tickets to the Masters

photo credit: fernand0     The cost of a Masters tournament badge, one of the toughest tickets to obtain  of all  sports, will cost slighlty more in 2009.   The price of the Masters  badge will be raised from $175 to $200.   The $200 covers admission to all four days of play.   The last increase occured in 2004, when the price went from $125 to $175.  

The Masters, compared to golf's other major tournaments, is still considered a real bargain.   The British Open (The Open) is $266, The U.S. Open costs $400 and the PGA Championship charges $300.   These prices include all practice and tournament rounds.

A waiting list for the Masters series badges was established in 1972 and closed in 1978 when demand far exceeded supply.

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