Tim Finchem should be worried

[uttexas]

I've been recording every Euro and every PGA tour event over the past couple of years. I watch golf on TV maybe more for viewing the golf courses than the competition.

The Euro tour consistently has more interesting venues, while the US PGA often has cookie cutter PGA stadium course designs with uniform course manicures.

The Euro tour has better commentators and (in America) can be viewed conveniently early in the day.

The level of competition (quality of golf) has improved on the Euro tour, and may now be about even with the US tour.

Now with McIlroy, Kaymer, and Westwood not renewing their US PGA membership, the Euro tour will be even more compelling.

(Kaymer received a ten year exemption by winning the PGA Championship, but has stated that he'll stay on the Euro tour)

[mjtoal]

I've been recording every Euro and every PGA tour event over the past couple of years. I watch golf on TV maybe more for viewing the golf courses than the competition.

I am sure Finchem is very worried. The economy is getting any better yet. His star attraction has lost a lot of his gloss, alienated a lot of fans and hasn't won this season. His second biggest star attraction has thrown up over himself a few times when he had a chance to take the top spot. Two non-members have won majors in the US this season and another foreigner in number 1 in the OWGR.

[Leftygolfer]

I don't agree about the Euro having better coverage. I watched a little of the last tourney and I couldn't stand it. It was so freakin boring. I like the way CBS produces golf the best. It seems to be more entertaining.

But the fact is there are better players in Europe now. It would take a ton of money to attract them to move away from there home full time and play here. But these guys make plenty of money there and I understand not wanting to move to a different country. They are stars over there and here they would be less recognized unless you are a big golf fan.

Were only going to see elite fields with all the best 8 times a year. I don't see how it can be fixed and make the PGA tour have all the very best talent from around the world.

[Deryck Griffith]

Personally, I think traveling around on the European Tour is a lot more appealing in terms of interesting places and countries vs. a mix of a couple of nice cities and majority of small towns in the US.

Plus, for Westwood, McIlroy Kaymer, etc, they still will get their fix on the PGA tour with the WGC events and 3 Majors.

Conversely, The PGA tour and Finchem still have the advantage when it comes to the TV production quality of their events and money. Plus, there's still a large number of big names playing in the US. SO in the big picture, I don't think Finchem is overly worried just yet.

[mjtoal]

The European Tour coverage is made for people who want to watch golf, not for ADHD cases who get antsy if 2 minutes doesn't pass without an insert brought to you by some corporate sponsor or a tearful piece of nostalgia about the unforgettable 1993 Greater Hartford Classic when Tim Simpson won a tense battle with Dan Pohl, complete with bagpipe music wafting over it.

[Stretch]

Nothing worries Tim Finchem. Tim Finchem eats lightning and craps thunder. He keeps the souls of Q School runners-up in a hollow paperweight on his desk, for kicks. Don't ask what he's been up to with your mom.

[uttexas]

Nothing worries Tim Finchem. Tim Finchem eats lightning and craps thunder. He keeps the souls of Q School runners-up in a hollow paperweight on his desk, for kicks. Don't ask what he's been up to with your mom.

Ha, ha, chuckle, chuckle. Love the souls in the hollow paperweight comment.

[Zeph]

The problem with the PGA Tour is that Tiger is no longer a big attraction. There is no doubt the European Tour has become a lot more attractive the last couple of years. I agree with you on the courses. The week to week course on the PGA Tour pretty much look the same. Though it's not as fun for the players, watching the European tour play in rain and wind every now and then is more fun than watching picture perfect weather all year around.

[shades9323]

Now with McIlroy, Kaymer, and Westwood not renewing their US PGA membership, the Euro tour will be even more compelling.

Kaymer and Westwood were not PGA tour members in 2010, so they are choosing to stay on their current tour.

[OCdude12]

Nothing worries Tim Finchem. Tim Finchem eats lightning and craps thunder. He keeps the souls of Q School runners-up in a hollow paperweight on his desk, for kicks. Don't ask what he's been up to with your mom.

Tim Finchem sounds like Chuck Norris. Comment of the year Stretch. Well played.

[Valleygolfer]

Definitely a matter of opinion. Euro coverage is boring. PGA coverage is at least providing states and bylines that pave the way for making interest in the golfer at the moment. At times I feel like I am watching people on the range with the Euro tour. I still watch it but less enthralled and it just doesn't seem to have any enthusiasm.

I don't think the finch is worried. The tour will continue on as it always has and who knows what will happen with Mick, Woods and others. Hell Westwood could just crap out next year, especially if the leg injury becomes more of an issue.

[EnergyMatt]

The European Tour coverage is made for people who want to watch golf, not for ADHD cases who get antsy if 2 minutes doesn't pass without an insert brought to you by some corporate sponsor or a tearful piece of nostalgia about the unforgettable 1993 Greater Hartford Classic when Tim Simpson won a tense battle with Dan Pohl, complete with bagpipe music wafting over it.

Classic - perfectly sums the situation up

[Tiger Spuds]

The European tour coverage can be boring depending on the event and which commentators SKY happen to have on a particular day. There are one or two stuffy old codgers there who do little but bang on about the 'gentleman's game' etc. But they have some good commentators too, so I can't paint them all with the same brush. Personally, I'd take that over the far too regular adverts and endless schmaltzy comments about how wonderful everyone in Golf is, on the U.S. coverage. Also, Jim Nantz's spoken rendition of 'the Rose' when Justin won the Memorial last year was possibly the most horrible thing I've ever heard in sports commentary.

You'd have to say the spread of 'star' players between the two tours now is fairly even. Tiger of course, isn't the only player in the game, but when he's not competitive there's no doubt the PGA tour suffers. Overall, I'd still rather watch the PGA. Maybe that's just a personal choice because I'd rather watch the likes of Phil and Tiger over Lee Westwood any day, but the two tours are closer than in terms of talent and presentation than they've probably ever been. Suits me, best of both worlds.

[iacas]

The European Tour coverage is made for people who want to watch golf, not for ADHD cases who get antsy if 2 minutes doesn't pass without an insert brought to you by some corporate sponsor or a tearful piece of nostalgia about the unforgettable 1993 Greater Hartford Classic when Tim Simpson won a tense battle with Dan Pohl, complete with bagpipe music wafting over it.

I don't think that's really the case. Frankly, both suck. Euro coverage puts you to sleep and U.S. coverage annoys.

But at least they can follow the damn golf ball with the cameras in the U.S. coverage. They seem to struggle to do that every week on the European Tour.

[Thrash13]

I'll admit the European Tour has improved in recent years, but the TV coverage is still dreadful at best. The commentators bore me to tears as well. The PGA Tour is still the way to go for me, and it will probably always be that way. I don't really get into the California events in January and early February, but by the time the Florida Swing rolls around, I'm into it big time. I've always enjoyed the NBC coverage the most, although I know many don't really care for it.

As far as some of the guys staying on the European Tour in 2011, they will still play plenty of events in the United States. They will be here for 3 majors, The Players, WGC events, and possibly some of the FedEx Cup events. We will see them plenty.

Lastly, I wouldn't say much about Tiger Woods' struggles because they won't last long. Everyone had their chance to get him in 2010, but it won't be like that next season. He may not ever be as dominant as he once was, but he will win his fair share in 2011. And regardless of how many he wins, people still tune in to watch him.

I'm sure Tim Finchem notices the European Tour a little more than he did five years ago, but I doubt he is very worried about things. There is still PLENTY of talent playing in the United States.

[Chas]

The European Tour coverage is made for people who want to watch golf, not for ADHD cases who get antsy if 2 minutes doesn't pass without an insert brought to you by some corporate sponsor or a tearful piece of nostalgia about the unforgettable 1993 Greater Hartford Classic when Tim Simpson won a tense battle with Dan Pohl, complete with bagpipe music wafting over it.

Blasted lol ...... I do believe I know what you mean, having been brought up watching golf on the tube in jolly old way back when. Golf commentary was almost whispered in those halcyon days. But the yanks generally do a good job of mixing statistical, historical and technical material. It's all good. oops, sounds like I'm disagreeing with Erik on this one.

Is it THAT bad Erik? O well, you can always turn down the gain. p.s. I agree that the production values are better over here. "Struggle to follow the ball ....." hehehe Then again, when did the brits last make a decent flick other than a Harry Potter ?

[Acropo]

p.s. I agree that the production values are better over here. "Struggle to follow the ball ....." hehehe

Sky isn't bad at all - it's the BBC, which has lost most of its golf coverage, that seems to struggle now. It covers the Open, the British PGA (aka the BMW championship) and the Scottish Open, which are probably the most familiar to US viewers. It also has the most 'when I were a lad...' commentators, too. I sometimes find myself warming a bit to Peter Allis and then he comes out with a load of old-boy nonsense and puts me off him again.

Then again, when did the brits last make a decent flick other than a Harry Potter ?

Slumdog Millionaire? Anything by the Scott brothers? (with the exception of Black Hawk Down, obviously). Anything based on a book by Jane Austen? (for the info of American publicists, I'm afraid Ms Austen isn't available for book signings, chat shows and promotional tours)

[Chas]

Fair enough. I have fairly basic cable and don't get to see a lot of european golf other than what's on TGC. As to the flicks, clearly I need to get out more.

Some of us still remember and miss the Golf Whisperer Henry Longhurst, e.g.

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