Thrash Talk: What Was Vijay Thinking

**Thrash13** · May 17, 2005

Well, this week's Thrash Talk, which will be published this morning, talks about Vijay opting not to play at the Battle at the Bridges later this July. IMG figured they would try to get all the Big Four members to team up in pairs of two and battle it out.

In my opinion, it could have been something really special for the golf world, especially since it's aired on primetime television! The Big Four has been the story of golf all year long so far, and it would have been awesome to see all 4 of them on the same course at the same time.

When it's published, give it a read, and then give me your thoughts if you would. I'll come back and post a link when it's up. I know a lot of you may not think it's a big deal, but it definitely could have been.

***iacas*** · May 17, 2005

The story is here .

I think you could have easily gotten it wrong, to be perfectly honest. Your argument is based off of the assumption that Vijay "owes something to the fans," and that playing in a silly TV event is the way to give back.

Frankly, I think the whole "giving back to the fans" line is a load of bull. We pay to see these guys play golf. We buy their equipment. We watch them on TV. If we felt that professional golfers owed us something, we wouldn't watch them.

Vijay has, several times in the past, been very good towards charity. He donated a lot of money to the Tsunami Relief funds and other charities. The fact that he plays in lots of events also "gives back" to charities with increased draw and media attention. It may not be his primary reason for playing, naturally, but it's in there.

He didn't want to play in a made-for-TV event. One could say that's honorable, that he's letting his PGA Tour record speak for itself, and that it's Tiger in fact who is a limelight-seeking hot dogger ego-maniac who has this weird need to plaster himself on my TV even when he's not winning a PGA Tour event.

So, to be quite honest, I think it's a weak argument with a wobbly foundation. There are no quotes to back up Vijay's assumed line of thinking, nor Tiger's, nor Ernie's, nor Retief's.

It could have been special. You bet. You've got that part right. But how special would it have been if half of the players, for whatever reason, acted as though they didn't really want to be there, as though they were merely fulfilling some obligation to their management agency?

**Thrash13** · May 17, 2005

It could have been special. You bet. You've got that part right.

Hey, at least we agreed on that part.

That was my main point though. I am not a Vijay fan by any means, and that didn't help matters much. I just thought with golf growing so well IMO, and coming off a superb Masters, they really could have grabbed the sports world by the throat with this thing and pushed forward even more. Is it a huge deal that he won't play? Not huge, but I think it sure could have been great. The Big Four is the big focus, and people would have watched and witnessed great things in my opinion. Like I put in the article, it won't hurt golf any. But it sure could have done nothing but help it! And hey, that's my opinions on it whether anyone likes it or not.

Putt4doh · May 17, 2005

My buddy as ESPN says that IMG couldn't work out everyone's schedule.....basically he says that Vijay had a conflict....who knows....he probably has plans to be on the range that night

Cole_21 · May 17, 2005

My buddy as ESPN says that IMG couldn't work out everyone's schedule.....basically he says that Vijay had a conflict....who knows....he probably has plans to be on the range that night

**PGAfan790** · May 17, 2005

I wasnt excited bout it. I actually kind of get tired of the big four or whatnot. Mickelson is one of my favorites but you know this stuff kind of gets old. All that kind of popularity stuff is just media crap. Not golf.

Anyway dont really care but i guess it would be neat.

Then again now i can find more pleasure watching the LPGA then PGA.

plygdgolf · May 18, 2005

I wasnt excited bout it. I actually kind of get tired of the big four or whatnot. Mickelson is one of my favorites but you know this stuff kind of gets old. All that kind of popularity stuff is just media crap. Not golf.

Personally, this is when I'd prefer to see the women play with the men. Add Wie and Sorenstam instead of Daly and Goosen and I think the ratings would go up.

**PGAfan790** · May 18, 2005

Personally, this is when I'd prefer to see the women play with the men. Add Wie and Sorenstam instead of Daly and Goosen and I think the ratings would go up.

Yeah i would like to see some of the ladies play with the guys. And hey, i like John Daly. He finished 2nd a couple of weeks ago.

**Jeepthrills** · May 25, 2005

The other big issue would be who do you pair together? Tiger and Ernie would make sense, but Vijay and Phil don't like each other. Vijay and Ernie would work, except Tiger and Phil don't like each other. Tiger and Vijay....no need to explain that one. Vijay is basically an unlikeable guy. I know he does great things for charity and he should be comended for that. He should just learn to keep his mouth shut as he has a great habit of saying stupid things. He is a great player and should let his game speak for him.

I would much rather see them go back to one on one like Duval/Woods or Woods/Garcia. Woods/Els would be great. They could pick up where the Presidents Cup left off. I agree about putting Wie and Anika in there.

AtlantaGolfer · May 27, 2005

How about Tiger and a bikini wearing Gulbis vs. Mickelson and a bikini wearing Creamer. That would help the ratings and I would watch.

**Jeepthrills** · May 27, 2005

How about Tiger and a bikini wearing Gulbis vs. Mickelson and a bikini wearing Creamer. That would help the ratings and I would watch.

I would buy the pay-per-view on that one. As long as Lefty is not in a bikini.

plygdgolf · May 27, 2005

The other big issue would be who do you pair together? Tiger and Ernie would make sense, but Vijay and Phil don't like each other. Vijay and Ernie would work, except Tiger and Phil don't like each other. Tiger and Vijay....no need to explain that one. Vijay is basically an unlikeable guy. I know he does great things for charity and he should be comended for that. He should just learn to keep his mouth shut as he has a great habit of saying stupid things. He is a great player and should let his game speak for him.

I'm partial to a larger group (four men or four men and two ladies). You have more to offer the general audience.

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