Madriver

I see it much like the NBA. No one cares that much during the regular season. You might go to a game where Shaq or LeBron is playing, but basically you could care less untill the playoffs start. Much seems to be the same with the PGA. Unless it's a major or a Tiger event, it' a so so call as to wether or not I'll watch. Personally I prefer the womens events more now that some American talent has emerged. Again, I see this as a problem for the PGA to have some concern with, but not a symptom of one dominate player. They will do well to look at the NBA and Baseball as a similar sports league with many of the same problems. Look at the smaller tournaments as the smaller market teams and you have a very similar situation. So maybe some sort of revenue sharing system where sponsors pay the PGA and the PGA in turn has an equity system of event sponsorship.

kudos...you should have competed in the open.! Yardage as compared to the US Open?

while I can see the point of dwindling sponsors becoming a problem for the smaller stops. I don't see this as a symptom of one dominant player, but rather corporate economic conditions. I understand that the former Kemper has a problem that is a double edged sword. If you can't atrract the name players then you can't attract a sponsor. However, look at the Booze Allen/ former Kemper. Why can't they attract name players when they know Tiger isn't playing? If Booze Allen had Fuyurk, Mickelson and five of the top twenty I think they stay on as a sponsor. However, with a marginal track and conflicting schedules around majors, few show up for the Kemper. So no, I see it as marginal problem that really revolves around the Majors. The top players are so geared up for the Majors that the smaller tourneys suffer. Maybe the PGA sends the bigs guns out to a few of the smaller tourneys when sponsors are waivering. Lord knows Tiger, Pil, and the rest of the Billionaires Boys Club owes it to them.

...so did you play that setup...and if so...whaddda shoot?

ask the guys that played Bethpage Black after the open. For me, I have played Avenel (former Kemper Open) after the tourney. While I stuggle to break 90 anytime, the biggest difference I see with the Tourney course and any other is the length. The pro tees are soooooooo far back. So yes, for me I can see it based strickley on the added length. Also, Avenel is not known as a praticuarly hard track, but with the tees at the tips I think a scratch golfer would have a tough time.

...while this may have been true in the 70's and 80', the 90's and 2000's are dominated by one player that has captured the worlds attention. I would ask the other top 150 Tour Players if having a Tiger is good for the game. I think their answer would come in the form of a huge smile and a portfolio manager carrying their bag at the next Pro-Am. Like Jordon was to the NBA, Tiger has taken golf to unimanginable heights. I would say that prior to his arrival golf was on a downside. I see the majors becoming a step below Super Bowl status. Regular season events probably will fall off if the fields continue to winnow of top ten players, but is this Tigers fault? He doesn't even play in the smaller events. The D.C market has the former Kemper Open, and while it stuggles to find a sponsor, it is still a major draw for the region. No, I don't see Mr. Normans point, I see a frustrated arrogant golfer that wanted to be king. P.S - don't forget were talking about American Golf and ratings. As long as an American Icon is dominant, ratings and the American Golf world will benifit. P.S.S- aren't Greg and Tiger good friends? I thought Greg was the one that got Tiger into yachts

bitter old man if you ask me...Greg has a rep...a nasty rep

At Congresional Country Club near Wash., D.C an irate member having a bad round clubed a goose with a golf club killing it. He was prosecuted for the rules infraction....

....dinner...

I think the difference between "dumbass" and Tiger is about 100 million....

...there in lies the difference between Tiger and all great athletes, and the "rest of the field". Tiger makes it when it counts the most. And it's not just a one time memorable shot, it's many with more to come. He's a walking highlight, you can't not watch, you want to see the next spectacular miracle. You want to see the him eagle 18 for the forth consecutive day. You want to see him hit the impossible for the hundreth time. It's not like a Larry "One Time" Mize or a Bob "Miracle Bunker Man" Tway that you remember but have never seen again...it's every time he walks the green.

does it matter...he has secured his place in golf history like no other. I no longer see it as who is better Jack or Tiger...there is no doubt in my mind. As for Byrons record...may it rest in peace

agreed...but I see no one on tour or coming up that has the demeanor to give him some head to head competition. I don't know if I will...maybe some 15 year old is out there with the makeup to challange Tiger in 5-6 years...one can only hope.

...for me watching a good swing on tape or TV is a very good thing. Trying to emulate the tempo and one piece takeaway seem to always help my game. This would NOT include J.D or Tiger...Ernie and most of the women really help my swing thoughts.

how would you like the check made out Mr. Woods? -11 and counting....

...winner.......

well so much for Ryder Cup beat down..so much for grueling schedules...so much for saving wifes honor.. Tiger 63

the pro that taught me used to say Golf Magazine tips were his best recruter for new students. He loved em especially when John Daly first became popular on tour. They profiled his swing and within a month he was flush with new students that had tried the "Grip it and Rip it" method....

heres the problem with Phil. He wants to be recognized as one of the greatest, watch early press conferences of him talking about Tiger and his many handlers proclaiming how good he is. If he wants our respect he needs to play and win when things aren't perfect for him. He needs to grind it out after a grueling major and sponsored schedule. He needs to play the week after losing at the Ryder Cup, he needs to suck it up and put his big girl panties on. He needs to show us that he isn't a spoiled rotten athlete that plays when it suits him. His ability to portray the "Family Man" that plays golf occasionally is not working. His image is one of entitlement and money without the hard work. Right or wrong thats how I see him.

Sergios incredulous attitude especially on 14 while playing Cink got under my skin. His demeanor was condecending as if to say "Who in the hell are you to sink all these 20 footers"....I appreciated Stewart Cinks tenacity and fire by shutting Sergio down. Thanks for the one memorable match Stewart...great captains choice pick.

...in order to offer up an answer you will need to post pics...

First of all ...THANK YOU Stewart Cink for shutting up Sergio!!!! As for the rest...well...nothing unexpected. As for the Team aspect. The Euros are NOT a team, meaning that because they comprise the European Nations rather than one Nation, and they do not nor do they need to play as team or at least with that burden. The US Team is our National Team and therefor carries a much larger burden. I will not go as far as to say this is why the US lost, but I now see the difference in the "Team" aspect of the Ryder Cup. You could see it in the faces and demeanors of the Euros all weekend, they had NO pressure at all. Hats off to the Euros and their stellar play. For the US to win in the future they will have to change the mindset of a National burden and start thinking about having a good time with 12 of their best friends. Just my thoughts....yours?

...damit...hey Phil can I borrow your bag towel for a minute?

...way cheap...low blow.. ....I would be pissed...hopefully this will light a fire under the red white and blue!!!

I found this in the Rules of Golf.. ...this would appear to refute my premise. I do however stiil think that wether or not it is a rule or a course rule, I have seen this etiquite rule pretaining to singles and their status on a course.