Watching yesterday made me think it was the final round of the US Open where they were identifying the luckiest player, rather than the best player. Having said that, it was good tv, if you like watching pain, suffering and failed execution.
...a little bit, yes... I like those things... much more than I like -18, -20, -23 or more, and win by 3. It was a bogey-3-putt-hit the tree fest of a weekend at Riviera two weeks ago and everyone seemed to be fine with it because the field in pursuit was stellar. Plus many (including myself) who love Riviera (prolly my personal Top 5 of plays) love it for its rigor, along with its beauty and appealing "asks."
To me, it's the lesser field and the evolution of this week, the beginning of Florida swing, to a place of lesser prestige and season-influencing buzz... the loss of Doral (and its field) and the slightest dimunition of the Palmer (without Arnie's presence for going on four years) are not well compensated by the better showing of Valspar and the TV/Tour gods insistence on marketing such a curated golf environment ("Bear Trap" "Phoenix 16" etc).
Amazing what an effect changing the par on 2 par 5 holes can have on the lore and luster of an event.
-14 and the world yawns...
-6 and it's the topic of every interview....
The USGA jumped the shark on this 30 years ago...
Very good points about the loss of Doral(where I taught for 10 years) and its field. The former Blue Monster was the quinessential Florida event-if the wind blew it was brutal, if not, they shot lights out.The resort guest could get around with the exception of a few iconic, memorable holes.(hence the name "Blue Monster"-which it really wasn't)
I guess it never occurred to them to just make 1 and 10 par 4's......who knew it was so simple..?
When you put water and OB(condos no less) on EVERY hole, and every hole is one swing from a double(or x for the guest)
How does one remember the holes?
I think it was Stewart Cink that said "they should just move the Bear Trap sign to the first tee"