Elite pro golf on TV

[Thomas Dai]

Not since the US Open at Pinehurst and then The Open have I watched much if any elite pro golf on TV.
What a relief then to be able to extensively watch the Australian Open this week being played simultaneously as both the Men’s and Women’s championship and played over two courses at Kingston Health GC and Victoria GC in Melbourne.
Interesting courses on TV! Yippe! And both elite male and elite female players participating too!
Looking forward to when the Presidents Cup is played at Kingston Heath in a few years time. Be nice if that were also a mixed gender event
Atb

Later edit - proper bunkers!

Cam Smith plays from the front-right bunker on the par-3 15th hole at Kingston Heath. His shot finished 12 ft past the flag and the following putt wasn't holed.


Hannah Green plays out of a left-side fairway bunker on the 17th hole at Kingston Heath

[MKrohn]

Might be the last year of the male/female Opens being side by side, it doesn't appear to suit the Australians coming back off the LPGA tour and a few players including Cam Smith have had a go at the way the courses were overwatered.


Australian Open golf 2024: Cameron Smith, latest news, updates, reactions, comments, Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman

[mike_beene]

Very surprised to see lift clean and place on such a sandy site.

[Niall C]

Might be the last year of the male/female Opens being side by side, it doesn't appear to suit the Australians coming back off the LPGA tour and a few players including Cam Smith have had a go at the way the courses were overwatered.


Australian Open golf 2024: Cameron Smith, latest news, updates, reactions, comments, Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman

Are you suggesting that the overwatering was for the benefit of the LPGA players ? If so, I'm curious as to how that would benefit them.


Niall

[David_Tepper]

"Are you suggesting that the overwatering was for the benefit of the LPGA players ? If so, I'm curious as to how that would benefit them."

Since the LPGA players don't hit the ball as high or with as much spin, softer greens would make it easier to hold their shots into the greens.

[Mark Pearce]

There had, apparently, been almost Biblical amounts of rain.  The suggestion I've read is that Smith missed the mark by a distance.

[Thomas Dai]

For more on Aus Open softness/rain see - https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,73400.0.html
Even if somewhat soft by conventional location standards watching elite players compete on Melbourne sandbelt courses is a very worthy watch.


Atb

[David_Tepper]

If you missed the final round of the LPGA Tour championship last Sunday, you missed some epic golf. Jeeno Thitikul went eagle, birdie on the last 2 holes (for the second day in row ) to shoot 65 and beat Angel Yin by a shot. She also pocketed $4million, the largest prize money ever in women's golf.   

[Craig Sweet]

It's nice to have "live" golf to watch before bed.

[Chris Hughes]

I much prefer the LPGA events in person vs. the PGA Tour...


...attended the JAL Big Apple Classic many times!!


That said, these mixed events on TV just don't do it for me. 


Hey Craig, this 2025 thing you are referencing, what's that all about?


ALERT🚨:  Shell's Wonderful World of Golf on loop @ GC, some amazing footage being rolled!! 🙌

[Rob Marshall]

If you missed the final round of the LPGA Tour championship last Sunday, you missed some epic golf. Jeeno Thitikul went eagle, birdie on the last 2 holes (for the second day in row ) to shoot 65 and beat Angel Yin by a shot. She also pocketed $4million, the largest prize money ever in women's golf.   

I was there on Thursday. The attendance was poor. Not a great spectator course but it's fun watching the girls play. Talked to Jamie Mulligan for a minute while he was following Nelly. Some great swings to watch.  I think it's a little silly that you win one week an earn almost as much as a player winning 7 times for the entire year,

[David_Tepper]

 "Some great swings to watch.  I think it's a little silly that you win one week an earn almost as much as a player winning 7 times for the entire year."

Rob M. -

I was out at the Olympic Club Tuesday thru Sunday during the US Women's Open in June, 2021. I spent at least half an hour each day on the range, watching some great swings. 

Yes, a $4million payday for winning one event is a little out of whack, but it has got us talking about LPGA golf. I suspect that was part of the plan.

DT

[Craig Sweet]

Libby Montana boy, Ryggs Johnston on the lead at the Aus. Open.

[Matthew Rose]

Can't speak for that side of town, but I live on the other side of Melbourne (near the airport) and it has been very humid and stormy for the better part of a week. It hasn't rained the entire time, but when it does, it rains hard.

I believe the southeastern / bayside area has copped it worse than we have, so it would make sense that the ground is very saturated there.

[Rob Marshall]

"Some great swings to watch.  I think it's a little silly that you win one week an earn almost as much as a player winning 7 times for the entire year."

Rob M. -

I was out at the Olympic Club Tuesday thru Sunday during the US Women's Open in June, 2021. I spent at least half an hour each day on the range, watching some great swings. 

Yes, a $4million payday for winning one event is a little out of whack, but it has got us talking about LPGA golf. I suspect that was part of the plan.

DT

Yes, but few people cared enough to actually go to the event to watch. It's a shame be cause there was some great golf being played.

[Niall C]

"Are you suggesting that the overwatering was for the benefit of the LPGA players ? If so, I'm curious as to how that would benefit them."

Since the LPGA players don't hit the ball as high or with as much spin, softer greens would make it easier to hold their shots into the greens.

David


I took Smith's comment to be as much about the fairways as the rough as he referred to run and I wondered therefore how a soft fairway would benefit the ladies, particularly if they don't fly the ball as far through the air.


Niall

[David_Tepper]

Niall -

I think we too often attempt to read things into player's comments that may or may not have been intended. What a player may say coming off a course after playing poorly is liable to be less than thoughtful or insightful.

I can't imagine how soft fairways would benefit LPGA players.

DT

p.s. Cam Smith clearly had a tough week:  https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2024/11/30/australian-open-bs-cameron-smith-struggles/

[jeffwarne]

There had, apparently, been almost Biblical amounts of rain.  The suggestion I've read is that Smith missed the mark by a distance.

+1
amazing how the word "over watered" is thrown around so often, even when it rains.
I can understand how an elite ballstriker/player might be frustrated by softer conditions changing the game, but at least know the causes.

[Thomas Dai]

Despite the soft conditions, irrespective of whether the weather or the set-up is ‘blamed’, that a championship played in a delightful yet geographical located country that from a TV broadcasting perspective takes place live at an awkward time of day for Northern Hemisphere viewers to watch, and has been criticised for its organisation, TV camera positioning, two-gender structure etc, the 2024 Australian Open seems to have been rather popular amongst the golfing cognoscenti.
Does this tell us something about modern elite level TV pro golf?
I suggest it does because the tournament was played at Kingston Heath and initially Victoria as well, two great golf courses both on sandy terrain and both full of challenge and interest
Atb

PS - Now irrespective of the criticisms summarised above about the 2024 event, imagine how good (and popular?) such a championship would be if in addition the golf ball didn’t travel the ridiculous distances it does these days especially when hit by the modern 460cc Driver.

[MKrohn]

Might be the last year of the male/female Opens being side by side, it doesn't appear to suit the Australians coming back off the LPGA tour and a few players including Cam Smith have had a go at the way the courses were overwatered.


Australian Open golf 2024: Cameron Smith, latest news, updates, reactions, comments, Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman

Are you suggesting that the overwatering was for the benefit of the LPGA players ? If so, I'm curious as to how that would benefit them.


Niall

Niall.


My comment was regarding scheduling, a few of the Australians had to fly after the LPGA event, they lose a day and then arrive here and go straight to the course, Minjee and Hannah Green suggested February was the better option.


The TV coverage was appalling, very disjointed and that is increasing the volume around a split between the men and women. The CEO of Golf Australia has indicated they lost $1m last time they ran a stand alone women's event, additionally they may lose the sponsor ISPS Handa if it's not men/women/all abilities

[Mike_Clayton]

Royal Melbourne next year is the oft-heard rumour.
If they continue with the mixed format it needs a 36 hole venue and there are only two in Melbourne - RM and Peninsula/Kingswood.

[David_Tepper]

Golf Australia CEO defends the format:

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/golf/news-2024-australian-open-james-sutherland-format-comments-mens-womens-combined-competition-20241202-p5kv3e.html

More here:

https://www.sportskeeda.com/golf/news-it-s-quite-easy-golf-australia-ceo-changing-australian-open-format-amid-criticism-cameron-smith-hannah-green

[Ally Mcintosh]

Well all I know is my club held the Women’s Amateur this year. And the R&A softened the greens compared to normal member play… so he may have a point.

[Craig Sweet]

I thought the whole appeal of the 54 Hole Golf Association was the flexibility that allowed players more time with their families. Why would an Australian native, and very wealthy member of the 54 Hole Golf Association, be bitchin? 


The men's winner didn't do much bitchin.  He said he was very happy considering how long a trip it was to arrive in AUS. and the inability to get a practice round because of the travel distance and all the rain.

[Chris Hughes]

I thought the whole appeal of the 54 Hole Golf Association was the flexibility that allowed players more time with their families.


His home is Australia and the fact he was there might be a hint for you. 


 Why would an Australian native, and very wealthy member of the 54 Hole Golf Association, be bitchin? 

Because it is warranted?

The men's winner didn't do much bitchin.  He said he was very happy considering how long a trip it was to arrive in AUS. and the inability to get a practice round because of the travel distance and all the rain.

Target 🎯 golf is easy for all touring professionals.

Hey what’s this "2025" thing you keep referencing?