Jerry Rice

[Mrd19abhs]

What does everyone think about Jerry Rice trying to play on the nationwide using a sponsors exemption and then shooting a 12 over 83 in his first round?

[kpaulhus]

I just read his blog and laughed. The courses that he is shooting in the low 70's are nothing compared to what he is playing this week. I would love to be that good and give it a shot though.....of course, I wouldnt mind having his retirement fund either.

[jlund]

I think it is a joke. There are too many talented young players out there competing on mini-tours, trying to get to the Nationwide Tour for this guy to be taking up space based on his fame..

Just my $0.02

[BallStriker]

He definitely had a rough day yesterday.....however, he is putting together a decent day today @ +1 and about to make the turn...there a lot worse scores going on out there today.

I honesttly don't see anything wrong with it......he is giving it a try and god knows he has brought attention to the tournament (I will watch again tonight but, of course, I will watch anything golf related).

[kpaulhus]

He definitely had a rough day yesterday.....however, he is putting together a decent day today @ +1 and about to make the turn...there a lot worse scores going on out there today.

He also puts a ton of money into this tournament so he can basically take what ever exemption he wants. I didnt know they were airing this tourney....Ill have to check it out tonight.

[Shorty]

What does everyone think about Jerry Rice trying to play on the nationwide using a sponsors exemption and then shooting a 12 over 83 in his first round?

It's a lesson in perspective for all of those people who think they play off scratch and think they can make it on tour or are just hanging out for their 50th birthday to qualify for the Champions Tour. Being from Australia, I'd never heard of this player, but watched the guys on the Golf Channel politely dismiss his chances of making the cut.

Out of interest, I watched the telecast of the first round. What a joke. I'm sure he was nervous, but it was just ridiculous. He was taking all of this time just because he could, apparently, and had the game of a good 8 marker. Again - it's probably the first time he's ever putted anything inside 6 feet and played without mulligans. As one of the commentators said - difference between +1 and touring pro is bigger than +1 and 18 handicapper. It was very evident. Proves the arrogance these people have and the disrespect they have for real players. At least celebrity doesn't buy you a golf game. Thank goodness for that. Hopefully he will disappear back into the celebrity pro ams.

[kpaulhus]

Being from Australia, I'd never heard of this player, but watched the guys on the Golf Channel politely dismiss his chances of making the cut..

YOU DONT KNOW WHO JERRY RICE IS!?!?!?!?!?

Look up Greatest NFL Receiver of all time.

[Shorty]

YOU DONT KNOW WHO JERRY RICE IS!?!?!?!?!?

Believe it or not, NFL does not have a wide following in this country. Do you who Allan Border and Steve Waugh are?

[kpaulhus]

Believe it or not, NFL does not have a wide following in this country. Do you who Allan Border and Steve Waugh are?

Good point. I would have to google them, but let me take a crack at it....Soccer, Rugby, or Cricket?

[Shindig]

Well, if he's serious about it and wants to put in the time, let this be a shock to him that gets him going. It would be great if we could have another Rick Rhoden on our hands, maybe add more excitement to the Champions Tour at about the time that Kenny Perry gets there.

Good point. I would have to google them, but let me take a crack at it....Soccer, Rugby, or Cricket?

Yeah, it's tough to remember how many of our footballers aren't really global celebrities, just as many of theirs aren't.

[Par Fore]

Watched a little last night.....I have seen him play before.....he's a much better player than he showed last night.....you could tell he was nervous, he was all over the course and 3-putted 3 of the first 5 greens.....with his game, if he settles and gets a little more experience, the guy can shoot par on a good course.....

I thought they said he was the host???? If so, then I'm glad they let him play. Also, Jerry Rice brings more viewers to golf - I would have watched about 3 minutes of coverage if he wasn't playing.

Go Jerry, keep it up mang....you give all us hackers hope

[Par Fore]

OK, just checked the leaderboard real quick - kudos to Jerry for taking his lumps. There were a few others with scores like his, and they all withdrew - at least he manned up and finished.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I dont have a problem with it. Rice got an exemption and he was brave enough to go out there and match his game agaist professional golfers. But that said, a scratch player is nowhere near good enough to even to play on a mini tour, let alone a PGA subdivison.

[pittpanther]

I think it is a joke. There are too many talented young players out there competing on mini-tours, trying to get to the Nationwide Tour for this guy to be taking up space based on his fame..

That's one way of looking at it... Here's another. After never playing professionally in his entire life, Rice shoots a +12 then a +4 (so far) the second day. Terrible scores, but nowhere near as bad as some might think. Considering he was probably as nervous as his first pro football game, I think he did pretty well. In addition, the +4 points to the possibility of even more improvement over time. I bet if he was to take it seriously for a year, he would be making cuts consistently.

Instead of worrying about "the slot Rice is taking from someone else," contemplate this. If professionals from other sports (baseball, football, hockey, basketball) seriously marched towards the Champions Tour when they retired from their "main" sport, many (most?) of them would make it. These guys are just gifted athletically - they will be great at any sport, given some time to practice. Golf just wasn't on their radar when they were kids. How's this for a conversation starter - If Jerry Rice practiced for just one year like a PGA guy (8 hours or more per day), I think Rice would make the tour. Or Ray Allen, or John Smoltz, or whatever pro athlete you want to throw out there.

[Titleist_ProV1x]

I think it is a joke. There are too many talented young players out there competing on mini-tours, trying to get to the Nationwide Tour for this guy to be taking up space based on his fame..

Agreed, Rice needs to find a comfortable recliner and watch golf on TV like the rest of us, his swing is a joke for playing 20+ years

[Randy4h]

That's one way of looking at it... Here's another. After never playing professionally in his entire life, Rice shoots a +12 then a +4 (so far) the second day. Terrible scores, but nowhere near as bad as some might think. Considering he was probably as nervous as his first pro football game, I think he did pretty well. In addition, the +4 points to the possibility of even more improvement over time. I bet if he was to take it seriously for a year, he would be making cuts consistently.

Rice has been playing serious golf for many years. He himself said that, for over 20 years, he has been hitting balls and/or playing golf every day (except during the season).

I posted this elsewhere, but the Nationwide announcer said that no ex-athlete from another sport had ever come within 10 strokes of making the cut in a Nationwide event. The only ex-athlete from another sport who even made a slight mark on the Champion's tour was Jon Brodie, unless I am forgetting someone. I guess my response to your point that ex-athletes could make it on the pro, Nationwide or Champions tour is: why don't they? Where is Rick Rhoden, Stan Humphries, John Elway, Michael Jordan? The truth is that they just don't have the game, plain and simple.

[pittpanther]

I guess my response to your point that ex-athletes could make it on the pro, Nationwide or Champions tour is: why don't they? Where is Rick Rhoden, Stan Humphries, John Elway, Michael Jordan? The truth is that they just don't have the game, plain and simple.

I like your quote about no ex-athlete making the Nationwide tour...

My guess: None of them want to put the time in. They're not hungry. Made too much money at their main sport to consider practicing putting for 4 hours a day. Sure, they go to the country club every day and play a round or two with their athlete buddies, but that's not helpong them get any better. Why practice all day, when instead you can go hang out with Tiger and some porn stars? I would like to see an athlete really try - Smoltz has been talking about it for years.

[Shorty]

If professionals from other sports (baseball, football, hockey, basketball) seriously marched towards the Champions Tour when they retired from their "main" sport, many (most?) of them would make it.

Many or even most? You have got to be kidding. None.

Just remember that the Champions Tour is mainly ex PGA Tour players. There is no evidence to support your comment. It indicates a lack of respect for professional golfers and implies that you think that the Champions Tour is accessible to almost anyone. Look up the results of the 2009 Champions Tour Q School and see who did and who didn't make it. Major Champions don't always qualify.