Monday, February 19, 2024

Weekend Wrap - Chaos Theory Edition

How'd Tiger's return go?  Anyone?  Bueller?

Face Plant™ Follies - Before we get too excited about Hideki's pyrotechnics, an important reminder..... The whole business model is about excluding such players from the big-money events.  You might think of Hideki as an elite player, but he's played quite poorly since that 2021 Masters and, as the 55th ranked player in the world, would barely qualify into these events (I tried to Google exactly how he did qualify, but have come up empty).  But in each of these Signature Events money grabs there are 60-70 Hidekis excluded, just to prevent what happened yesterday.  Hideki was on fire (and Jay is quite relieved that it's a guy that's actually known), but think about how moribund yesterday's play was except for the guy in yellow.

This inspired the sub-header above:

How an epic 30 minutes (and a little chaos) decided the Genesis Invitational

Sounds promising, but he starts at a strange juncture:

For the first nine holes of Sunday’s final stanza, Luke List and Will Zalatoris made their presence known. Playing in the penultimate pairing, the duo of flushers put on a ball-striking exhibition,
combining for five birdies and an eagle. Heading to the back nine, List held the solo lead, while Zalatoris lagged two behind. In the final pairing — playing at a glacial pace nearly a hole and a half behind — Cantlay and Schauffele struggled, failing to card a single birdie over the first nine holes.

Then, all at once, the roars flooded the grounds.

Schauffele shook his birdie-free stretch by holing a 12-footer at the 10th, and then followed up with a hole-out from the bunker at the next for eagle. When the ball dropped into the cup, the cheers could be heard from the clubhouse on the opposite side of the Santa Monica Canyon. After a round and a half of pent-up energy, the fans finally unleashed.

List and Willy Z. both had those moments where they suddenly realized they could win, and the proceeded to throw up all over their shoes.  No, it's the Xander bit that has me laughing, because that last group, wedding phots notwithstanding, as for me the synecdoche of these Signature Events.  The whole purpose (well, besides the all-important getting Patrick paid) of these contrived exhibitions is to create those kind of compelling match-ups, but did anyone find it compelling? 

If you didn't see Hideki's finish, well you can click through and read all about it.  Perhaps the most amazing fact is that the three birdies in a row from Nos. 15-17 was his third such streak of the round.  Avoiding even a single bogey, that's how you shoot 62 on Sunday (ironically, in Jack's yellow vs. that other guy's Sun Day Red).

The Tour Confidential panel, as is typical, is focused like a laser on the most important aspects of the week.  Or not:

1. Tiger Woods, making his first PGA Tour start since the Masters last April, withdrew after hitting his tee shot on the 7th hole during the second round of the Genesis Invitational, disclosing later that he had the flu. The 15-time major winner’s exit threw a jolt into Riviera Country Club, with two fire trucks and an ambulance arriving and exiting before Woods left the property in a car. Notably, a day earlier, Woods had hit a shank, and he blamed the mishit on a back spasm. What’s your read on how his week concluded?

Yes, fire trucks....amusing only when we recall that his still unexplained auto accident took place here as well.  He must be on a first-name basis with all the LA-area first responders...

Jessica Marksbury: This was a weird one. Flu symptoms don’t usually necessitate the arrival of
two fire trucks and an ambulance, right? We often get only the bare minimum from Tiger when it comes to details on his health. That’s obviously his right, but it seems like there must have been more to this. At the end of the day, he says he’s recovering, so that’s the best we can ask for, I guess. A definite bummer to not have him around for the weekend.


Jess, they're all weirds one with Tiger these days, in case you haven't noticed. 

Ryan Barath: For the limited amount we did see on Thursday, Woods looked pretty good except for the shank on 18, but at this point in his professional career, and based on his health issues, I think every day is a complete roll of the dice. Considering he had an extremely busy schedule this week with hosting the event and launching Sun Day Red (which I know we’ll get to in a moment), things can add up and take a toll. We all know the only thing he’s probably concerned about at the moment is the Masters, so taking the WD here and going home is probably the best way to recover.

Recover, maybe?   But I though he was trying to, yanno, prepare for it...

Nick Dimengo: It was a big week for Tiger and his team, given the release of his Sun Day Red line and his hosting of the Genesis. Given the schedule, golf sort of became a secondary focus, in my opinion. Sure, it was probably a PR nightmare that he had to withdraw with the illness, but what did anyone really expect from him on the course anyway? I don’t think he would’ve been competing to win the tournament, so he accomplished his main agenda — which was the new line and some publicity.

I've been reliably informed that all publicity is good, though that doesn't exactly square with my own observations....

Did any of these guys ever take a statistics course?  Because, yanno, there's a sample size issue:

2. On to Woods’ game. Before the WD, he played his first round on Thursday and completed six holes on Friday. Thursday’s round featured five birdies, six bogeys — and the shank on the 18th hole. In the limited action, were you left feeling encouraged by Woods’ play, or discouraged?

Barath: Being able to make that many birdies is very encouraging because it means he was hitting quality approach shots and putting himself in good spots off the tee. Bogeys come down to saving shots, and the short game was a bit rusty, which I believe is just as simple as getting in competitive reps, as Tiger likes to say.

Marksbury: The game seems OK to me. The real question seems to be his stamina for four long rounds of PGA Tour competition. I hope his ambitious comeback schedule ends up working in his favor as the season progresses.

Dimengo: When it comes to Woods the golfer, I think it’s officially time to adjust our expectations. Not only is he now 48, but, as Marksbury mentioned, I worry about Tiger’s stamina over the course of a tournament. Going two or four days is one thing, but what about all the practice and time on the range (not to mention his own recovery)? We all root for Woods to perform well and, maybe, rediscover some magic. But I have yet to truly see any indication he still has gas left in the tank.

Since the accident we've seen this each time he's graced us with his presence.  He quite obviously can still hi golf shots, but he can't compete.  After the latest fusion surgery there was/is a belief that he is more up to the grind of 72 holes, though he doesn't actually seem to want to test that theory...

I've never been a Tiger sycophant, but I find the current version insufferable, mostly because of his failure to use his own status to protect playing opportunities on Tour.  What I find most objectionable is that he allows this event to be limited to 70 players (removing up to 86 slots, though the field here was never that large), he then grabs a spot for himself.  Oh, and did I mention that he gave his a****e buddy Adam Scott, a guy whose vote he needs, a sponsor's exemption?  Then paired himself with another a*****e buddy (JT) in the first round?  This guy is so busy taking care of his own needs and comforts, how can we possibly bother him with the little business of saving our game?

Can someone do me a solid and check FanDuel to see what the over-under is for Adam Scott sponsor exemptions into Signature Events is?  I'm guessing, all of them....

Fortunately, the Tour Confidential gang only addresses the most pressing (just a little punning for ya) issue sin our game:

3. On to Woods’ new threads. On Monday, he fully revealed his new Sun Day Red brand, and when he played Thursday, it marked the first time he had not played under the Nike umbrella in 27 years. Sun Day Red — created in partnership with TaylorMade, which has backed Woods since 2017 — will include a host of articles of clothing, and it will launch to the public on May 1. From what you’ve seen, what’s your takeaway from the new brand?

Barath: Tiger resonates with golfers, and even if you aren’t a golfer, there is a very good chance you know who Tiger Woods is — so from a branding and marketing perspective, Sun Day Red could be a big win for both Tiger and TaylorMade. Does the world of golf need another company selling $100 polos and $200 cashmere hoodies? I honestly have no idea, but what I do know is that it had people talking — and likely ready to line up for a few pieces once it becomes available.

Marksbury: Tiger has always had a classic sense of style and has always looked great on the course. Sun Day Red seems to be following in that vein. I liked the monochrome look on Thursday, and the Friday throwback was super cool. I don’t expect to see anything too showy or out there in terms of trends, but no matter what the line produces, I’m pretty sure anything associated with him will be a success. I REALLY wish Sun Day was one word, though!

Relax, Jess, Sunday is and always has been one word...  

Dimengo: Like Jess said, I wouldn’t expect too much flash or anything eccentric from Woods’ new line. It’ll be classic threads that golfers will probably flock to given Woods’ stamp of approval. Then again, golf fashion has changed a lot in the past five years alone, so there’s stiffer competition in terms of market share and fun, unique designs.

The blind faith is endearing, at least until you remember that they're supposed to be journalists.  Of course, I'm old enough to remember all those folks playing Nike clubs and balls because of Tiger.... Yeah, both of them.

Another beclowning moment:

4. In another wild scene, Jordan Spieth was disqualified after the Genesis’ second round after signing for an incorrect score. (On Riviera’s 4th hole, he had made a four, but he signed for a three.) Of course, this has happened before, but the exit of one of the Tour’s stars from one of its biggest events was a stunner. Our question is: With the technology available, should the rules be adjusted for the pros?

How about if we adjust the pros to the rules? An idea so crazy it just might work...

Barath: This needs to end now! With so much gambling involved in the sport, the PGA Tour can’t have a mistake made by a pencil lead a player being DQ’d from an event. This isn’t some rec-league pickup game where players have to call out fouls; this is the highest level of professional golf, and because of that, the league should be fully responsible for keeping track of scores, plain and simple.

Marksbury: At the end of the day, keeping a scorecard is part of the game. It should be a no-brainer, but I understand mistakes happen. A DQ does seem overly severe. I’d be in favor of something like a two-shot penalty instead.

Dimengo: Spieth DQ’ing does no good for anyone (sponsors, fans, the overall event). So, yes, make some new rules and just penalize a player for a mistake rather than booting them from the tourney. Other sports have gotten with the times and incorporated technology for the good of the game; it’s golf’s turn to do the same.

It's easy to be outraged and it's certainly not a good look, but I'd be a little more circumspect in eliminating the obligation of the player to accurately attest to his or her score.  

I heard an explanation from the rules official on the broadcast that I didn't quite understand, along these lines:

Spieth was inside the top 10 at Riviera before he double-bogeyed his last hole in the second round. Feeling under the weather all day, he bolted up the stairs and into the clubhouse. When verifying his scores, Spieth confirmed that he had signed for a par-3 on the fourth hole but had actually made bogey. By the time the scoring discrepancy was identified, however, Spieth had left the scoring area, automatically triggering the disqualification.

I don't like this any more than anyone else, but I'm quite reluctant to remove the responsibility from the player, because it's my understanding that Patrick Reed is still playing professional golf.   Need I say more?   To be clear, I didn't suggest that he's playing it well, but we can never be too careful.

Seriously, the burden has been on the player to deciare and attest his own score since at least Prestwick in 1860..... I just like that tradition.

You'll be shocked to know that I'm going to have some things to say about this one:

5. The Genesis itself was potentially a peek into the PGA Tour’s future, as our James Colgan detailed in a piece that you can read here. The tournament was the Tour’s third “Signature Event” this year. Wrote Colgan: “In some ways, the PGA Tour’s Signature Events series was built exactly for Hollywood’s pro golf tournament, the Genesis Invitational. There’s a huge, high-profile sponsor (Genesis); a living legend tournament host (Tiger Woods); a historically exclusive and highly-regarded golf course (Riviera Country Club) and one of the best fields in all of professional golf. If the Tour’s new format for Signature Events — starry fields, limited (or no) cuts, lots of money — can’t work here, it’s hard to imagine where it can.” So, did the tournament deliver? Is the Signature series working?

Barath: Have Signature Events put more of the top players together more often? 100%. Have they put more money into the pockets of top players? 100% Have they delivered the kinds of historic finishes that people will be talking about for decades? Not quite, but that’s what happens in golf when you have a field of players that are all very talented and have the ability to win. Now with all that said, Hideki delivered on Sunday with a 62 so that was great to watch.

Marksbury: Well said, Ryan. The advent of LIV has desensitized me somewhat to outsize purses, but I do like the Signature Events. It’s nice to have a cluster of tournaments outside of the major championships where you’re guaranteed to watch a star-studded field, even if the biggest names happen to underperform in a given week.

Dimengo: These two nailed it with their replies, so I don’t have much to really add. As a golf fan, I always want to see the best players competing on the biggest stages (with a surprise every now and again). If that requires a Signature Event and a bigger purse, so be it.

 They've received their talking points and are dutifully repeating the BIG LIE.

The BIG LIE is that, prior to Tiger and Rory saving our game, we didn't know when the best would tee it up.  So, a little thought experiment: name one player who would have skipped Riviera under the old system?  Anyone?  Bueller?

Anyone remember when they told us it was about the tainted source of the money.... Ha, that was a good one, but now we know the only issue was the recipients of the tainted money, the source being rendered irrelevant.  

Now, they're telling us we need to know when the only guys that matter will play.  But we already knew they would play LA, Muirfield, Bay Hill and the like.  Signature Events aren't about who's there, they're about who isn't there....anyone that can ruin their party.  They think they'll create these dream duels and they most certainly did that with yesterday's final pairing.....  How'd that work out?  

But that is Tiger's and Rory's and Patrick's vision for our game.  But the excitement came from elsewhere, which is the inherent nature of our game.....  And cannot be allowed to happen.

I'm done ranting, but also see the clock's inexorable progress.  Just a few bits before I depart, first Jordan being helpful:

Lesson learned?

This from my favorite Tour wife points out something I've noticed on leaderboards:

OK, didn't know we all had rap names, but can we also do our porn names?

So, Cam is a problem for folks because there's another Young or two on Tour.  What I've noticed is that the TV leaderboards where they use only last name, Cam's presence leads them to use his full first name, necessitating a substantially smaller font size for just the one player.  You'd expect them to just give him his first initial, but that's where a rabbit named Carson Young becomes problematic.

Of course, I can't leave without noting that that smaller font is always in the middle of said leaderboard, not on the top line...

One last bit that amused your humble blogger:

Heh, that's a good one, and everybody reading this is in on the joke.

There was a strange scene yesterday that someone should research.  The penultimate group was in the seventh fairway (I'm working from memory), while the final group was still on the fifth green.  The rules official on the broadcast maintained that the List-Will Z. group was four minutes ahead of their time par, while the deliberate Patrick was exactly on his time par.  Perhaps they were on schedule, but there's exactly no chance that four minutes covers one-and-a-half holes, even with the full hole being a one-shotter.  Something was wrong in that analysis, and I initially planned to see their relative positions at the finish.  Fortunately, however, Patrick took me off the hook from any interest in his finish....  Thanks for that.

That's it for now, kids.  I have a weird week ahead, so bear with me as I blog when opportunities present.  Have a great week.

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