News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.

Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down

John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« on: June 20, 2002, 08:41:53 PM »
Brace yourself boys.  This has all the ingredients to become the most boring British Open ever.  Tiger at the top of his game on a Championship venue = yawn.  He did it at the lengthened Augusta and again at the Reesified Bethpage.  What's it going to be at Muirfield, one of the BLANDEST courses I've played?

Championship venue?  Yes.  And a rather nice "exam" at that.  It doesn't exactly provide for scenery and it rewards steady play.  Nick Faldo's 18 pars?  Only interesting in a soccer-appreciation type of way.  The conditions were brutal, but most would rather see someone light it up a la Woods '97 Masters or '00 Pebble OR fall flat on their face like Jean Van de badbreakoffthebleachersandintothestream Velde.

I'm the contrarian, as I found Sunday virtually UNWATCHABLE while A.C. Nielsen tallied up record numbers for the network.  Please, oh please, Tiger, hit one sideways just once per round like you used to!  C'mon Paul Lawrie.  C'mon Justin Rose.  C'mon Rodney Pampling and Rodger Davis and Mike Harwood.  Give me something to watch.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Nick_Ficorelli

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2002, 09:05:47 PM »
let's face it...tiger woods majors ain't majors ...NO DRAMA.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Bruceski

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2002, 09:08:17 PM »
Shouldn't the R&A just give Bob May a special lifetime Open Championship exemption?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

mike_beene

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2002, 09:09:07 PM »
John,I disagree.Muirfield is my favorite course in the world.To me,the sixth hole turning to Archfield Woods is as beautiful as they come.Also,seems like a lot more players have a chance than at Bethpage or the inspiring pasture where Dave Hill became famous.(unfair since I've never seen Hazeltine)I'm interested enough that I'm going to be there for final round.Considering that Dallas to London is 9 hours,I'm putting some faith in Muirfield to deliver.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Slag Bandoon

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2002, 10:33:54 PM »
The most boring was in 1859.

Pray for wind.  If the skies arrive it'll get interesting.  I got 5 clams on Padraig to win!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

ian

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2002, 11:42:17 PM »
Note the time....I'm staying up to watch "boring" soccer. So Muirfield must be my type of course. It is one of the best pieces of golf architecture the game has seen. Fantastic routing, incredible strategies. I'm banking on the course, the wind and the unforgivable long rough to level the field. I think this out of the four is the wild card. I'd bet against him this time.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Shane Gurnett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2002, 12:47:02 AM »
The fact that Woods has two legs of the slam in the bag, and Muirfield being one of the finest championship venues on the planet should make this THE event of the year. At least the set up will be fair and gives all players a chance, not just the long bombers that we saw at Bethpage. The pressure on Woods will be much higher at Muirfield as he looks to lock in the third leg of the slam.

I cant wait for it to start, and I hope the great man wins in a close contest.

SG
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Shane Gurnett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2002, 12:52:29 AM »
Come to think of it, there are no boring British Opens.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

TEPaul

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2002, 03:49:02 AM »
I don't know Muirfield so I sure can't say if I think it's bland but I guess when it comes to watching Woods I must be one of the few on here then that doesn't get bored.

Watching who I consider the best player ever go for the third leg of the Grand Slam while very likely playing some awesome golf---BORING?? I can't imagine how--I sure haven't become that jaded!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

guestie-poo

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2002, 04:40:49 AM »
Maybe boring has to do with the coverage in the U-S-A
U-S-A U-S-A?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2002, 04:51:30 AM »
John:

If you are correct in assuming that this will be a Tiger romp,
as long as there is SOMEONE within 4 shots, people will tune
in.  

I know this for a fact since this is what just occurred at
Bethpage!

As for Carnoustie, after a 25-year layoff as an Open venue,
the fact that Paul Lawrie won didn't make it exciting.  Van
de Velde's meltdown was the only interesting part!

If Lawried was a great champion, he would have won something else - anything else - before or after that Open.

Instead, Carnoustie is saddled with a "one-hit" wonder.

Kind of like if Bob May had beat Tiger in that showdown at
Valhalla...

But I have a lot of respect for Bob May, since he is the
ONLY GUY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS TO STAND UP TO TIGER
IN A FINAL ROUND!!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged
"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

A_Clay_Man

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2002, 05:05:40 AM »
TePal, your not alone.
Whats amazing is that the old adage of be careful what you wish for, you just might get it, comes to mind.

Golf is a SIMPLE game. Put the ball in the hole. It does not get more simple than that. Golfing well, is another matter. So along comes this guy who makes it look easy and he gets criticism?? I think those that don't like tiger and don't know him personally need to search their own souls as to why they don't like him.

Reminds me of Lee J Cobb's character in "Twelve Angry Men".

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

TEPaul

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #12 on: June 21, 2002, 05:07:56 AM »
Paul:

That's not true that May was the only won to stand up to Woods in a final. As I recall a guy by the name of Ed Fiori not only stood up to him he did some serious boxing of Tiger's ears!

Since Tiger is considered by many as one of the greats of all time logically that makes Ed Fiori probably the best ever! The only problem with Ed being the best ever is nobody seems to know that. But that's everyone else's problem, certainly not Ed's!

Of course we never heard from Ed again but the reason for that is Ed figured what the hell else is there to do in golf after pummeling the best that could be thrown at him so he apparently packed in his career and went on to selling Cadillacs or something!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

TEPaul

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2002, 05:18:08 AM »
Adam:

I think you're right about some people's reaction to Woods and his golf game. Call me old fashioned but I'm sort of fascinated to watch truly great golf from a player even if he does happen to be waffling his opponents.

I was reading some old newspaper accounts of matches from long ago and it's amazing how popular golf was as a spectator sport in the old days. Thousands would come out to watch primarily the great amateur players.

Some of the newspaper accounts mentioned that the spectators were interested in watching great golf even if it happened to be from one player who might be pummeling another. If both players happened to be hacking it around or off their games no matter how close the match was the spectators apparently tended to get disenchanted and leave.

So I guess I'm old fashioned--I like to see great golf played. Of course like the others here I would love to see a tight dramatic battle but if that doesn't happen just watching someone play really great golf is OK with me!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:06 PM by -1 »
Logged

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #14 on: June 21, 2002, 05:45:02 AM »
Tom:

Ed Fiori stood up to a Young Tiger, but the Quad Cities
hardly qualifies as a Major.

What I said was, in the last 3 years or so, while Tiger has
won his 7 of 11 Majors, every so-called challenger has
been toppled - firing last rounds of par or higher.  

I believe Bob May shot a 66 to get his shot at Tiger, and
has been the only one to give Tiger a real threat!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged
"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

TEPaul

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #15 on: June 21, 2002, 07:32:41 AM »
Paul:

I know---you're right but Tiger treats every tournament he's ever played in very seriously and to Ed the Quad Cities win was probably a major. Just joking though. Every champion seems to have had his Ed Fiori--even the great Secretariat who was likely to blow away his competition in Tiger-like proportion quite often--but even the great Secretariat got nipped once---by a horse called Upset, of I'm not mistaken--(or maybe Upset was the one to hand another champion it's only lose--maybe it was Man of War).
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Derek_Duncan

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #16 on: June 21, 2002, 08:39:17 AM »
John,

Are you saying we'll have to wait for Hazeltine to get some Major excitement? :-X
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged
www.feedtheball.com -- a podcast about golf architecture and design
@feedtheball

John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #17 on: June 21, 2002, 08:45:20 AM »
Paul:

People WILL tune in.  That's the point.  Most would rather watch Tiger brush his teeth than see compelling drama.

Tom Paul (the other Paul):

I would never confuse appreciation of one's skills as interesting competition.  Would you like to see Hicham Arazi or Nicholas Lapenti play tennis against me?  No, but it would be interesting to see them play each other.  Tiger vs. Muirfield will bore me, while Tiger vs. Sergio vs. Mickelson vs. Goosen vs. Rose AT Carnoustie or Turnberry would probably be pretty interesting.

I'm done with being impressed by Tiger playing at an incredibly precise level, refusing to make mistakes.  In fact, I've come to expect just that.

I'll repeat... PLEASE hit some sideways so there's a tournament to watch.  Another exhibition where skills are displayed will put me to sleep.  I tried to watch Patty Berg do that once and I'd rather eat bran.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Mike_Cirba

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #18 on: June 21, 2002, 08:46:09 AM »
I'm not sure but of the two remaining majors, I'd much rather watch the play at Muirfield than Hazeltine.

The last several Opens there were thrilling, including Trevino's win, Watson's win, Faldo the machine edging Azinger after Paul bogeyed the final two, Faldo's gutsy comeback over Cook.  

Beyond that, the course is masterfully designed and beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder here.  

I know every hole at Muirfield off the top of my head, but I strain to remember 5 holes at Hazeltine.  Aren't 9 & 18 the same hole?  
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Mike_Cirba

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #19 on: June 21, 2002, 08:49:23 AM »
One other point, John.

I wouldn't be so certain that Tiger is going to dismantle Muirfield in some systematic fashion, although it's certainly within his skillset.  I just recall that last year he finished nine shots back at Lytham, which was playing just a little shorter than Muirfield.  

Give Tiger something over 7,000 yards and I'll take him everytime and give odds.  The longer the better for him to differentiate himself from the field, and Hazeltine seems to be lengthened right up his alley.

I think more contestants are "in the game" at Muirfield.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #20 on: June 21, 2002, 08:49:42 AM »
Beene:

While Hazeltine isn't my favorite course of all time, I do have to set the record straight.  It has some great holes.  #6 is a stunning dogleg left to a green guarded by a lake - think a shorter version of #8 at Bay Hill that breaks the other way.  #7 was a very boring hole in the U.S. Open because everyone had to lay up, but may be very interesting with players hitting the ball further and possibly running at the green on their second.  #8 is a great par 3, particularly when the wind is blowing.  #10 is the best hole on the course, with a green near the famous 16th.  #16 is a HARD hole, both to hit the fairway and to find the small green.  Wind would be welcome.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #21 on: June 21, 2002, 08:53:32 AM »

Quote
I know every hole at Muirfield off the top of my head, but I strain to remember 5 holes at Hazeltine.  Aren't 9 & 18 the same hole?  

Mike!  Nobody has ever said worse things than I have about 9 and 18 at Hazeltine.  They are just no fun to play.  Straight-forward and dull, long up the hill.  HOWEVER... the last is a good way to close a Major.  "All you have to do, Mr. Lehman, is hit the fairway and find the green..."

It makes it interesting.  Especially when you get the occasional O'Meara or Stewart that actually birdies a hole like that.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

Tim Weiman

Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #22 on: June 21, 2002, 08:56:54 AM »
John Conley:

I don't know whether to agree with you are not, but I once talked to someone about a round of golf he played with Moe Norman.

When I asked what that was like, he thought for a second and said "boring........oh, wait, Moe did hit into a greeside bunker on the 17th hole".
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #23 on: June 21, 2002, 09:09:30 AM »
Tim:

Thanks for sharing!  Where Moe's ball went was probably pretty boring, but I'm sure the experience was unforgettable.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged

John_Conley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The MOST Boring British Open Ever
« Reply #24 on: June 21, 2002, 09:10:46 AM »
Shiv:

Palmer gained popularity because of "the charge".  It would be pretty cool to see Tig make the cut on the number and rally back!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up