Golf
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The greens were playing fast and some weren’t dealing well with it.
A bit of controversy today about how long it took for some of the groups to complete the round. I read that it took some 6 hours! Someone on Twitter posted “Max Homa estimates it took them an hour just to play No. 14.”
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@ACT-Crusader The mix of tough pins and driveable par 4s is a horrible combination for pace of play.
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Nice to see the best in the world put like I can. Such a great course.
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The 150th Open / Sensational Smith becomes Champion Golfer of the Year
Congrats to Cam Smith. Nicely done
Managed to win a few bucks by picking him as the outright winner at $23
Keep an eye on Cameron Young from the USA over the next few years, will be a major champion at some point, kids got game. -
Unreal performance from Smith. That back 9 was unbelievable.
His putting is the best I've seen from anyone bar peak Tiger. When he's hot he just does not miss.
Although the rumour is he is going to LIV Golf after the Presidents Cup. Not sure how I feel about that.
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@barbarian He is also one of the best, if not the best on tour in terms of his short game as well.
This major triumph likely only the first of many for Cam. Kiwi connection too with his caddie Sam being a NZer. Nice payday for him as well I'm sure. -
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@barbarian said in Golf:
Unreal performance from Smith. That back 9 was unbelievable.
His putting is the best I've seen from anyone bar peak Tiger. When he's hot he just does not miss.
Although the rumour is he is going to LIV Golf after the Presidents Cup. Not sure how I feel about that.
He may as well. He has exemptions for all the majors now. No need to qualify so go make some coin
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@Hooroo But does he need coin? On one level I get the appeal of LIV, but for a guy like Smith it's a bit cowardly IMO.
It's Mickey Mouse golf. No juice. If you're Lee Westwood at the end of your career then knock yourself out. But Smith could actually win some big tournaments on the tour. Tournaments at great courses with history. Nobody gives a shit if he wins a 54 hole event at a Trump course that's only shown on Youtube.
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@barbarian I saw a clip from Tiger the other day, just asking what are they playing golf for now?
They dont win but still get a shedload of money, normally, you have to play well to win, wheres the challenge, what drives you?
Certainly an interesting take, and like you say, Westwood, Phil and the likes in the twilight of thier careers, rock on, but young guys, playing in the lesser format, I read soemwhere that some who were on the LIV tour were saying we dont even need to practice as much...hopefully there will be a happy medium found somewhere along the way
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@taniwharugby I loved Tiger's comments. A guy like Cam Smith is renowned for his work ethic, but there's no way he's working as hard for 54 hole shotgun starts with the money already in his pocket.
In some ways it is similar to rugby players going to Japan. By all means take the cash, but there's no incentive for me to care about what you are doing or watch.
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@barbarian said in Golf:
@taniwharugby I loved Tiger's comments. A guy like Cam Smith is renowned for his work ethic, but there's no way he's working as hard for 54 hole shotgun starts with the money already in his pocket.
In some ways it is similar to rugby players going to Japan. By all means take the cash, but there's no incentive for me to care about what you are doing or watch.
Maybe its a bit like Kerry Packer and WSC? Sure he wasn't backed by a ruthless authoritarian regime, but the LIV are offering better conditions, better money and less strenuous playing schedule. I could see the PGA quietly adopting a few of LIVs better ideas over time and eventually a sort of acceptance of their existence
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@barbarian said in Golf:
@Hooroo But does he need coin? On one level I get the appeal of LIV, but for a guy like Smith it's a bit cowardly IMO.
It's Mickey Mouse golf. No juice. If you're Lee Westwood at the end of your career then knock yourself out. But Smith could actually win some big tournaments on the tour. Tournaments at great courses with history. Nobody gives a shit if he wins a 54 hole event at a Trump course that's only shown on Youtube.
I hear all of that.
I also haven’t needed a pay rise but have taken it happily to do a different variance of the same job. Just times it by a squillion for these guys.
I know it not directly comparable but most people are driven by money and accept more of it. Just these guys have differing opportunities than most so it’s easier to criticise.
Sometimes I’m happy with what I’ve got and then sometimes I want a nicer car. Change that for yacht/super yacht and it’s the same thing
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@barbarian said in Golf:
@Hooroo But does he need coin? On one level I get the appeal of LIV, but for a guy like Smith it's a bit cowardly IMO.
It's Mickey Mouse golf. No juice. If you're Lee Westwood at the end of your career then knock yourself out. But Smith could actually win some big tournaments on the tour. Tournaments at great courses with history. Nobody gives a shit if he wins a 54 hole event at a Trump course that's only shown on Youtube.
I hear all of that.
I also haven’t needed a pay rise but have taken it happily to do a different variance of the same job. Just times it by a squillion for these guys.
I know it not directly comparable but most people are driven by money and accept more of it. Just these guys have differing opportunities than most so it’s easier to criticise.
Sometimes I’m happy with what I’ve got and then sometimes I want a nicer car. Change that for yacht/super yacht and it’s the same thing
Didn't I read that the PGA have instituted some new special lucrative events? The LIV are already having an effect. And the more top guys that jump over the more pressure on the PGA
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@barbarian said in Golf:
@Hooroo But does he need coin? On one level I get the appeal of LIV, but for a guy like Smith it's a bit cowardly IMO.
It's Mickey Mouse golf. No juice. If you're Lee Westwood at the end of your career then knock yourself out. But Smith could actually win some big tournaments on the tour. Tournaments at great courses with history. Nobody gives a shit if he wins a 54 hole event at a Trump course that's only shown on Youtube.
I hear all of that.
I also haven’t needed a pay rise but have taken it happily to do a different variance of the same job. Just times it by a squillion for these guys.
I know it not directly comparable but most people are driven by money and accept more of it. Just these guys have differing opportunities than most so it’s easier to criticise.
Sometimes I’m happy with what I’ve got and then sometimes I want a nicer car. Change that for yacht/super yacht and it’s the same thing
Didn't I read that the PGA have instituted some new special lucrative events? The LIV are already having an effect. And the more top guys that jump over the more pressure on the PGA
I hope he doesn’t go across but I won’t begrudge him due to something I am used to.
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@barbarian said in Golf:
@taniwharugby I loved Tiger's comments. A guy like Cam Smith is renowned for his work ethic, but there's no way he's working as hard for 54 hole shotgun starts with the money already in his pocket.
In some ways it is similar to rugby players going to Japan. By all means take the cash, but there's no incentive for me to care about what you are doing or watch.
Maybe its a bit like Kerry Packer and WSC? Sure he wasn't backed by a ruthless authoritarian regime, but the LIV are offering better conditions, better money and less strenuous playing schedule. I could see the PGA quietly adopting a few of LIVs better ideas over time and eventually a sort of acceptance of their existence
It's similar and different. The establishment tours haven't innovated as much as they should have, but they aren't hoarding money like the ACB and other Boards were back in the WSC days. PGA golfers are far from broke.
The solution though needs to be some sort of compromise.
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@barbarian it’s not just about the money but about providing players with choice. The PGA has a lot of control and while there are financial incentives, I think the rebellion has been building for quite some time.
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TBH I dont really care about either, I enjoy watching golf, not particularly fond of the LIV format though...was interesting seeing alot of 'feel good' type posts on the PGA social media over the weekend though.
If I could do less work for much more money, I'm there, but I also agree with what Tiger says, what drives you?
You play less, you practice less, are you still going to be as good? In my mind, you play sport for the competition, the drive to win, it seems for a few of these guys they have just won the lottery, golf is now just a hobby now (some say it is anyway, but thats a conversation for another day)
Is LIV expecting a return on investment, ever?
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@ACT-Crusader My position on this is twofold.
Firstly - the PGA is ripe for revolution. Stale, too focussed on America, killing world golf, not enough variety.
However LIV is not the right answer. It might well be the one we end up with though. It's a bad format, questionable source of funding, egotistical maniac Norman at the helm, a cabal of players who I find to be either washed up or unlikeable. Add a dash of Trump in there and it's not a good picture for golf.
