Bridgestone Thread

[n8dogg2669]

i don't really care about the money part of it, but I really hate to see someone lose like that. not saying that it was the only reason it happened, but it was clearly between paddy and tiger for the win and it's a shame that had to happen. I think the rules need to have some sort of a provision in them allowing a little extra time. I could care less if the network has to stay with golf for 10 more minutes, Tiger was in the lead in the final round, they really can;t ask for more viewers IMO. with the amount of foot traffic that follows tiger anywhere he goes there is bound to be many different things that are going to slow them up, call it the darn tiger rule if you want but no way should they have been put on the clock with 3 to play. just my .02 but talking around the water cooler i wasn;t the only one who had the same thoughts this morning.

[Knockglock]

i don't really care about the money part of it, but I really hate to see someone lose like that. not saying that it was the only reason it happened, but it was clearly between paddy and tiger for the win and it's a shame that had to happen. I think the rules need to have some sort of a provision in them allowing a little extra time. I could care less if the network has to stay with golf for 10 more minutes, Tiger was in the lead in the final round, they really can;t ask for more viewers IMO. with the amount of foot traffic that follows tiger anywhere he goes there is bound to be many different things that are going to slow them up, call it the darn tiger rule if you want but no way should they have been put on the clock with 3 to play. just my .02 but talking around the water cooler i wasn;t the only one who had the same thoughts this morning.

I completely agree. It is one of those things, you want it decided "on the field". Just like people hate NFL overtime rules because of the unfair advantage to the team that wins the coin toss, or hatred of the BCS because it decides which teams make it to the championship game with computer statistics and voting. When it comes down to two of the sports biggest stars, one of them undoubtedly the best golfer of his generation, and the other a multiple major winner including two last year.

It needs to be decided on the course, give them as much time as they need! Not to mention that there is no one behind them, there were only 3 holes to go, and they were only about 15 minutes behind schedule. TV networks regularly go beyond allotted time when broadcasting sporting events that go into overtime, pushing back scheduled programming. Why should golf be different?

[Msokol13]

Tiger is the man, he stands up for what he believes.

[apex53]

Ridiculous! Tiger and Padraig played in slightly over 4 hours... if the broadcast goes past 6:00 PM Eastern time by 10-15 minutes they are not going to lose viewers when Tiger is in the final pairing... Tiger obviously wants to win but with his clubs and talent, not by Padraig having to rush and making triple on 16 because he had to hurry and play the pitch from behind the green... sometimes the PGA Tour has their head up their ass

European Tour chief referee John Paramor told Woods and Harrington they were being timed.

Woods said he told Harrington after it was over, “I’m sorry that John got in the way of a great battle.”

[Cesar]

So what is everyone's thoughts on Tiger being fined for his words about the official that put them on the clock. Tiger said that this caused Padraig to rush his shots and triple the 16th.

I think it's appropriate they fine him, and think Tiger expected it. I also think it's entirely appropriate that Tiger said what needed to be said. Tiger stood up for Paddy and personally, I like seeing it. He echoed my own thoughts when Nantz mentioned it during the broadcast.

Hopefully this leads to some "internal" PGA meetings and a quiet agreement that a complete lack of common sense like this should never happen again.

[enarhi]

It's ironically good that they are fining him. It will bring negative attention to the rules official who called this ticky-tack warning, and sets Tiger in a better light while also giving Paddy some solace for his loss. The end result-I doubt any rules officials will call the clock on a PGA golfer fighting for a victory anytime soon.

[SpringBokVol]

It's ironically good that they are fining him. It will bring negative attention to the rules official who called this ticky-tack warning, and sets Tiger in a better light while also giving Paddy some solace for his loss. The end result-I doubt any rules officials will call the clock on a PGA golfer fighting for a victory anytime soon.

Agreed. I think Tiger played this very well.

[MSDOGS1976]

Kudos to Tiger for sticking up for Paddy after the event and kudos to Paddy for taking the high road, even though you could tell he was obviously upset about it.

Looks like the PGA has the balls to fine Tiger for speaking out. Oh well.....pocket change to him.

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/new...v=ap&type;=lgns

[Doctorfro]

There are certain rules that are cut and dried and for a specific purpose. This rule of pace of play is good but c'mon, this was a "made for tv" matchup and the rules guys didn't get the memo from the big wigs. A little common sense averts a bunch of headache and heartache. Tiger getting fined? Excessive but other sports fine their athletes and coaches for criticizing officials. Most of the time it's unwarranted as well (imo). It is a shame that the triple happened but that's golf.

[apex53]

you guys make a good point about this, Tiger did what needed to be done

[Sandwedge74]

I think the tournament officials neglected to use common sense. Yes there are rules in place, but they don't HAVE TO be enforced in a situation like that. You have arguably the best player ever going up against a guy who won 3 majors in 13 months revently on a great course and stage. Why do anything to ruin it?

I couldn't agree more. One of the greatest golf battles of the season was ruined.

[SpacklersEdge]

I couldn't agree more. One of the greatest golf battles of the season was ruined.

Tiger is being fined by the PGA for "criticism of the official" that put he and Paddy on the clock. Good for Tiger, a class act in this situation. They can have the change along with his pocket lint. Unless the fine is 5 million, Tiger doesn't care!!!!

[michaeljerb]

I wonder what the fine is going to look like money wise, considering he is the wealthiest athlete in the world haha. PGA is just trying to save some face in a situation where the official clearly screwed up. This won't be an issue for Tiger anymore.

[DBeane]

I am glad to see the comments supporting Tiger and Paddy. I also agree it’s a bit silly to "fine" Tiger Woods. The golden Nike Swoosh handles on Tigers commode probably cost more than this Paramore character will make in his entire career. If they were actually trying to impart a punishment why not, say...suspend him from a tournament? Because they would lose more money than they could possibly fine him. So, the fine is just the PGA flexing their muscles.

I think pace of play is the ultimate "...not me..." issue in golf. Everyone thinks they play fast and their friends play to slow. I think it’s important to be able to adjust your pace and rhythm to the group and/or conditions. Ultimately, the decision to rush a final group was a poor one. If they had decided to ignore the 15 minuets, I am sure that Bridgestone, the spectators, the players themselves and, the millions of fans watching wouldn’t have noticed. All of whom are more important to the tournament than some egg-head riding around with a tie and walky-talky. True, the game has rules for a reason. However, at that level some consideration has to be given to the business aspect of the game.

Tiger handled the whole thing perfectly, very classy. Much better than I would have. I would have endorsed the back of the goofy giant check they handed me and told them to stuff it in their umbrella holder.

-Beane

[SpacklersEdge]

As I said in the Bridgestone thread, unless they fine Tiger over 2 mill or so, who cares, good for Tiger, and sorry for Paddy.

[Divot Tool]

I dont think it' so absurd when the players are at the highest level playing for big bucks- id say 4 and a half hours on a course like Firestone is acceptable.

You expect the world's No.1 players and his cult followers, along with 3-time major Champion to play a round in 4 1/2 hours? Wow.

There were thousands of people out there on the course navigating around one another, jockeying for viewing angles along with photographers, security and crowd marshals having to quiet them down. Let's be a little more realistic, we're not my local muni.

[hawkeye]

In light of the below thread "why didn't Padraig chip out sideways" it seems that Tiger Woods has been fined:

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/new...v=ap&type;=lgns

Harrington appears to be just getting on with it - Woods is out of pocket but only by a little.

I'd prefer to see them fining him for spitting and conduct unbecomming of a sports star. Last group of a WGC - the massive crowds following them, making players rush sucks...

[Joejoe26]

No wonder why people give crap about golf not being a man's sport. I mean c'mon people, there has to be a certain degree of edge to this game. A couple of spits and some swearing and people want to start fining and penalizing players. When I played high school golf, I was penalized by my opponent for swearing and I thought it was ridiculous. People need to ease up on some of these things. This is just my opinion so try not to blast me on it.