2015 Northern Trust Open Discussion Thread

[DeadMan]

What an incredible shot by DJ there. Getting it to check out of that lie? Incredible. If I tried that shot, it would be in one of the bunkers 9/10 times.

[newtogolf]

Despite "Great" leaderboards, viewership is low, low, low.

I heard that rating were down.  Probably a combination of Tiger and Rory not playing combined with lousy weather in most of the country.

[RJH999]

HAHHHHHHHHNNNNNN. [quote name="newtogolf" url="/t/80180/2015-northern-trust-open-discussion-thread/0_40#post_1108279"] I heard that rating were down.  Probably a combination of Tiger and Rory not playing combined with lousy weather in most of the country.  [/quote] Well, I was watching. So there's that.

[Golfingdad]

DJ played well last year (watching it on replay right now) and played really well last week, so he's my pick!

Damn.

[David in FL]

Anyone that didn't watch that missed a GREAT finish! Congratulations to James Hahn. Well earned!

[Golfingdad]

Anyone that didn't watch that missed a GREAT finish! Congratulations to James Hahn. Well earned!

Was on the road, but am recording the rerun for later when the kids go to bed.

[ChrisP]

I heard that rating were down.  Probably a combination of Tiger and Rory not playing combined with lousy weather in most of the country.

Majors will still hold their weight because ESPN has them and will hype them up, although with the US Open on Fox now, I expect the ratings for that major to take a big hit. But the regular Tour events are struggling without Tiger or Phil right now.

[RJH999]

James Hahn is 33? I really thought he was a lot younger. Represent Golden Bears James.

[skydog]

It was great to see DJ back in the game. Despite the hype that Fowler and Spieth get I think DJ is the best American challenger we have to test Rory and hopefully rack up a handful of majors over the next five years.

[Crim]

It was great to see DJ back in the game. Despite the hype that Fowler and Spieth get I think DJ is the best American challenger we have to test Rory and hopefully rack up a handful of majors over the next five years.

No love for Mr. Top 5?

I'd love to see a Patrick Reed vs Rory Sunday.

[skydog]

No love for Mr. Top 5?

I'd love to see a Patrick Reed vs Rory Sunday.

No argument there! I would love to see the two of them battle it out. Despite the many question marks I have about Reed, he won me over at the RC and I'd be rooting for him over Rory any day

[rehmwa]

No argument there! I would love to see the two of them battle it out. Despite the many question marks I have about Reed, he won me over at the RC and I'd be rooting for him over Rory any day

I'll sit on the Rory side of the room and cheer from there.  If they want to call it a 'sport', then fitness needs to win more than lose to be a good example to the kids.

Lots of players that can step up here in this next generation, hard to see who it'll be though.  DJ could be a candidate.  (he has a 'different' issue in terms of role modeling for kids, but that can be turned around as a positive if he dealt with it and comes across now as clean and good dad).

Really, though, who do you want to see as the face of the US men's golf - a tubby, kinda petulant looking kid with a chip on his shoulder?  Or a raft of bible thumpers?  Or a handful of kids that look like they are just out of school?  Or someone that looks like they care about their physical performance and has a hot wife.  Yes, this is a very shallow analysis, but I'll stick with it.  (Actually, I'm hoping to see DJ or Jordan get rolling, but there are SO many that could step up, it's just impossible to see who's going to actually do it).

[skydog]

I'll sit on the Rory side of the room and cheer from there.  If they want to call it a 'sport', then fitness needs to win more than lose to be a good example to the kids.

Lots of players that can step up here in this next generation, hard to see who it'll be though.  DJ could be a candidate.  (he has a 'different' issue in terms of role modeling for kids, but that can be turned around as a positive if he dealt with it and comes across now as clean and good dad).

Really, though, who do you want to see as the face of the US men's golf - a tubby, kinda petulant looking kid with a chip on his shoulder?  Or a raft of bible thumpers?  Or a handful of kids that look like they are just out of school?  Or someone that looks like they care about their physical performance and has a hot wife.  Yes, this is a very shallow analysis, but I'll stick with it.  (Actually, I'm hoping to see DJ or Jordan get rolling, but there are SO many that could step up, it's just impossible to see who's going to actually do it).

I by no means want Reed to emerge as the face of American golf, I was just saying I would like to see a few sunday duels between him and Rory, and I'm (almost) always going to be cheering for an american over Rory. I still think Reed is a punk though, but in moderation he entertains me and I love the toughness he showed in the RC.

I'm in the same boat as you, I'm hoping Spieth and DJ step up as the true American challengers to Rory. Throw Fowler into that group too, but the jury is still out on whether he can hang with the big boys or not.

[rehmwa]

I by no means want Reed to emerge as the face of American golf, I was just saying I would like to see a few sunday duels between him and Rory, and I'm (almost) always going to be cheering for an american over Rory. I still think Reed is a punk though, but in moderation he entertains me and I love the toughness he showed in the RC.

I'm in the same boat as you, I'm hoping Spieth and DJ step up as the true American challengers to Rory. Throw Fowler into that group too, but the jury is still out on whether he can hang with the big boys or not.

I was going to add Fowler too

then international we have a huge pile of good players - still a Rory and Adam Scott fan, Day is looking up.

in terms of viewership, it's tough right now - the old guard had a great run, focusing on the new blood would be a bonus, IMO, to this activity, if the reporting can just let go of the old standbys - but it's difficult, considering the audience demographics, to move forward to this new generation.  Especially without any clear standouts like Rory has been.

[DocWu1948]

I don't normally watch much golf on TV, but when I do, it's like this.  Really a compelling finish, with all those guys so close, slogging thru the rain, coming up short, getting up and down. Wow.

[Crim]

Really, though, who do you want to see as the face of the US men's golf - a tubby, kinda petulant looking kid with a chip on his shoulder?.

I'm actually curious to know if anyone outside the U.S. thinks that Patrick Reed is a proper reflection of America..because unfortunately from what I've heard...what you described is how a lot of outsiders view us.

[rehmwa]

I'm actually curious to know if anyone outside the U.S. thinks that Patrick Reed is a proper reflection of America..because unfortunately from what I've heard...what you described is how a lot of outsiders view us.

I'd refine that to it is how a lot of outsiders "like to think" they view us.   (i.e., that's the caricature that they CHOOSE to accept for whatever reasons)

But I'm on political sites and get disproportionately exposed to the idiots that have had a load of anti-US indoctrination put on them.

I don't really give people that wallow in stereotypes much time of my day.  It's lazy of them and self serving mostly.

(fortunately it's balanced by a job that has a lot of international communications - which validates that most people are decent and similar the world over)

[cubdog]

I just hope some of the young guys show some personality. Give us something to root for. I can't stand guys like Watson, Simpson and some others who think God actually cares about the outcome of a golf tournament. Nothing against religion, I am a Zack Johnson fan but he has class and a personality that goes beyond the bible. Reed has some growing up to do but he has a fire and passion that's refreshing. Spieth, Koepka, Bradley, English, Finau, and Thomas are all fine young players to keep an eye on.

cubdog