Fit to be tied?

[BruceMGF]

Given the utterly tie-phobic philosophy that pervades American sports in this generation, it's curious that the pro-am title at Pebble Beach ended in a tie and was left that way.  By rule, from what the announcers said.

By the way, I don't share that philosophy and detest gimmicky things like hockey shootouts and Kansas System tiebreakers.

But there's nothing gimmicky about playing more holes of golf (a chip-off or nearest to the pin playoff would be gimmicky).  Why not go ahead and do it?  Especially when a quick decision is likely.  If it gets dark and the tie is unbroken, fine, call it a tie.

[zipazoid]

The main reason likely has to do with the pro's schedules. Many of them leave town right after the end of the tournament. Especially a pro that finished two hours earlier. He's goooone.

[BruceMGF]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

The main reason likely has to do with the pro's schedules. Many of them leave town right after the end of the tournament. Especially a pro that finished two hours earlier. He's goooone.

Is that stated policy or a guess?

In a regular tournament, a pro who finished early and shoots, say, a 61, may very well have to wait for two hours for a possible playoff.  This tourney is a pro-am, so why should he be able to leave early just because he's not in contention for the pro title?  The pro-am title is one part of *this* tournament.

[TourSpoon]

They don't break the tie because no one really cares after the pro victory is done. The pro/am is entertainment designed to raise money for charity.

[zipazoid]

It's a guess. But it's standard practice for pros that have no shot at all of winning the tournament leave as soon as they can. There's no reason to hang around for 3 or 4 hours...most have to be somewhere else on Monday - corporate outings, etc.- so they're catching flights somewhere.

Obviously, if an early finisher shoots a 61 & is 'leader in the clubhouse', he will hang around until his score is beat. But the pro-am title? Nah.

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by zipazoid

It's a guess. But it's standard practice for pros that have no shot at all of winning the tournament leave as soon as they can. There's no reason to hang around for 3 or 4 hours...most have to be somewhere else on Monday - corporate outings, etc.- so they're catching flights somewhere.

Obviously, if an early finisher shoots a 61 & is 'leader in the clubhouse', he will hang around until his score is beat. But the pro-am title? Nah.

Very true.

[RFetters]

35 under was the winning score,,and interestingly,,their pro partners were around -10 or so,,so instead of being called winners,,best sandbaggers is a better label..

[iacas]

Originally Posted by RFetters

35 under was the winning score,,and interestingly,,their pro partners were around -10 or so,,so instead of being called winners,,best sandbaggers is a better label..

It's just a best ball. So more telling is the number of birdies the pro makes. For example a pro could make nine birdies and nine bogeys in a round and contribute -9 for the team if the amateur net pars the holes the pro bogeys. So it's not as simple as looking at the final score and saying "they contributed -25."

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by BruceMGF

Given the utterly tie-phobic philosophy that pervades American sports in this generation, it's curious that the pro-am title at Pebble Beach ended in a tie and was left that way.  By rule, from what the announcers said.

By the way, I don't share that philosophy and detest gimmicky things like hockey shootouts and Kansas System tiebreakers.

But there's nothing gimmicky about playing more holes of golf (a chip-off or nearest to the pin playoff would be gimmicky).  Why not go ahead and do it?  Especially when a quick decision is likely.  If it gets dark and the tie is unbroken, fine, call it a tie.

If there is a tie they should resolved it just like they do pretty much everywhere else. Scorecard playoff. That's what they did at Pebble to determine the pro-am cut.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by BruceMGF

Given the utterly tie-phobic philosophy that pervades American sports in this generation, it's curious that the pro-am title at Pebble Beach ended in a tie and was left that way.  By rule, from what the announcers said.

By the way, I don't share that philosophy and detest gimmicky things like hockey shootouts and Kansas System tiebreakers.

But there's nothing gimmicky about playing more holes of golf (a chip-off or nearest to the pin playoff would be gimmicky).  Why not go ahead and do it?  Especially when a quick decision is likely.  If it gets dark and the tie is unbroken, fine, call it a tie.

Do you seriously think that anybody except the amateur on the winning team could care less about the winner of the pro-am team event?

I just get so tired of all of the "12 handicap" players who can barely hold a club and the way the commentators marvel when a "scratch" amateur hits a green from 100 yards, meanwhile sucking up to Bill Murray year after year with his one  joke. Pretending to treat his caddy like a servant. Hilarious. (I know I've said all this before.)

[RFetters]

First I never said the amateur contributed -25,,I understand the complexities of best ball.

Originally Posted by iacas

It's just a best ball. So more telling is the number of birdies the pro makes. For example a pro could make nine birdies and nine bogeys in a round and contribute -9 for the team if the amateur net pars the holes the pro bogeys. So it's not as simple as looking at the final score and saying "they contributed -25."

Harrington for the entire tournament made 21 birdies,,

Harrington made 7 bogeys and 2 doubles,,

I seriously doubt that the amateur covered every one of those bogeys and doubles.  So lets say it was half,,that leaves the amateur at something like -18 net maybe even lower,,and considering the weather, Pebble Beach itself, and the crowds and magnitude of the event,,I stand by my original opinion,,17 handicap wasnt legit.

[x129]

For kicks Harrington was -21, Harmon was -20 and wi was -24  strokes better than par counting birdies and eagles. In this tournament it is all pretty much about the "luck" of not having both players have a bad hole at the same time.

Originally Posted by iacas

It's just a best ball. So more telling is the number of birdies the pro makes. For example a pro could make nine birdies and nine bogeys in a round and contribute -9 for the team if the amateur net pars the holes the pro bogeys. So it's not as simple as looking at the final score and saying "they contributed -25."

[iacas]

Originally Posted by x129

For kicks Harrington was -21, Harmon was -20 and wi was -24  strokes better than par counting birdies and eagles. In this tournament it is all pretty much about the "luck" of not having both players have a bad hole at the same time.

Ham and egg. :)

[Deryck Griffith]

Originally Posted by Shorty

meanwhile sucking up to Bill Murray year after year with his one  joke. Pretending to treat his caddy like a servant. Hilarious. (I know I've said all this before.)

I didn't think I would be this way but I have to agree with you on this...