Tune in to NBC - US Amateur is slugging match

[nevets88]

It preempted the local news in my area. Didn't expect that.

[David in FL]

No spoiler here, but WHAT a finish!!

[WWBDD]

Have any of the talking heads commented on the little tantrum and crying at the end?

Pretty sad imo.

[turtleback]

Wow, that kid Fox sure hit some clutch shots and putts.  His shot to the green on 18 in the semis was fabulous and so was his play on 17/18/playoff hole.  He sure had the touch on those slick downhill putts.

[Parker0065]

Originally Posted by WWBDD

Have any of the talking heads commented on the little tantrum and crying at the end?

Pretty sad imo.

They talked about it this morning on Morning Drive. I guess I have mixed feelings on it. It had to be frustrating having Fox dormie and then losing. He did the right thing by shaking his hand then walking off the green before whacking his bag. That pill he had to swallow was the size of a manhole cover. A real tough loss!

I think where Weaver really blew it was his approach shot on #18. He's in a perfect lie in the fairway on a nice level spot. He puts the ball somewhere on the middle front of that green leaving him a straight putt up the hill and he more than likely wins. You have to give Fox all the credit in the world because he made some clutch putts on #17 and on #1 in the playoff!

[MSchott]

Originally Posted by WWBDD

Have any of the talking heads commented on the little tantrum and crying at the end?

Pretty sad imo.

I didn't think it was a huge deal. How would you react if you were that age, blew a 2 hole lead and lost the US Amateur? That would be hard to take. He did not play smart golf at the end of the match.

[TourSpoon]

I don't know if anyone else noticed it, but I thought that Weaver having his dad on the bag could have been an emotional liability whereas Fox switched his dad and took his assistant coach which may have been a saving grace. It may have not turned out any different, but when Weaver and dad were fist pumping and knuckle bumping, I thought that there was a lot of excitement going on and if the pressure got turned up, it would get really hard to keep calm and focused. In contrast, Fox had his assistant coach, certainly someone who is less emotionally attached than a family member. There was no show of emotion and Fox never panicked. It may have not had any affect on the match, but at the level of the US Amateur, one stroke lost is one too many and in 36 holes it came down to one stroke on the 18th which forced the playoff. Faced with sudden death after leading the match for the vast majority of 36 holes it put Weaver in a position that he had not faced since the 7th hole. Facing that scenario must have been the most pressure Weaver has ever faced in his life while Fox was given new life. The choice of caddies may not have hurt Weaver, but I think it helped somewhat in the case of Fox and allowed him to play his best golf.

Fox kept his cool being 2 down, drained it on 17 then was helped out on 18 by a missed 5 footer. He had a clear head and hit an iron off the tee in the playoff and Weaver hit driver and hooked it. Fox hit a great wedge and Weaver was lucky to have a clear shot to the green. A poor pitch and chip by Weaver, Fox drained the putt for a bird and the win. I am glad he made the putt versus Weaver having to attempt to save par because if Weaver had missed, it would have been even a harder way to lose. In the final analysis, Fox won the hole with a birdie.

Both golfers played great and had the experience of a lifetime. Weaver certainly was devastated, but should be proud of what he accomplished. Fox's performance is the reason why one should always keep focus and never give up. It was one of the best match play events that I have seen in quite a while.

[kregan]

I kinda felt bad for Weaver when the ball jumps in the air on putt at 18.  He may have hit it firm but looked

to be in the center of the cup until that jump knocked it offline a little.

On the other hand Fox made a great call on the playoff hole and some great shots coming in and earned

a hard fought win.

I think the camera crew should have given Weaver a few moments and just focused on Fox.

[turtleback]

Originally Posted by kregan

I kinda felt bad for Weaver when the ball jumps in the air on putt at 18.  He may have hit it firm but looked

to be in the center of the cup until that jump knocked it offline a little.

On the other hand Fox made a great call on the playoff hole and some great shots coming in and earned

a hard fought win.

I think the camera crew should have given Weaver a few moments and just focused on Fox.

Totally agree.  Let's focus on the great performance, not the natural human emotion of losing.  Give the guy a few minutes to regain his composure.

[ScT1]

Yeah, I can't get all over the guy for venting frustration over what was probably his biggest and best chance at glory. It looked like he hit a good putt at 18, and the replay shows that it took a crazy little bounce off of some small imperfection in the green to knock it just enough off line that the ball did a horseshoe around the cup.

I'm pretty good about keeping my emotions in check while I play, but if I had come that close at something as big as the US amateur like that, I could see myself doing pretty much the same -- congratulating my opponent, then walking off the green, maybe kicking or slamming my club against the bag, then having the tidal wave of emotion dropping me down to where I would need to cry some at losing out on what would have been my best chance ever.

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by ScT1

Yeah, I can't get all over the guy for venting frustration over what was probably his biggest and best chance at glory. It looked like he hit a good putt at 18, and the replay shows that it took a crazy little bounce off of some small imperfection in the green to knock it just enough off line that the ball did a horseshoe around the cup.

I'm pretty good about keeping my emotions in check while I play, but if I had come that close at something as big as the US amateur like that, I could see myself doing pretty much the same -- congratulating my opponent, then walking off the green, maybe kicking or slamming my club against the bag, then having the tidal wave of emotion dropping me down to where I would need to cry some at losing out on what would have been my best chance ever.

I agree.  That was a grueling day - and Weaver and Fox both battled like crazy.  I'm sure Weaver was spent - mentally, physically and emotionally.  So to sit there on your couch/computer and say 'I can't believe he did that...' Is pretty narrow minded.

Weaver is a solid player.  Hopefully he can pick himself up - as Hunter Mahan and John Cook did as runner-ups... And go on to have a solid professional career.

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by kregan

I think the camera crew should have given Weaver a few moments and just focused on Fox.

Absolutely agree 100%.