We now know why alternate-shot golf is pretty much reserved for match play.
Truth be known, that format embarrassed a ton of players last week in New Orleans, including 54-hole leaders Kevin Kisner and Scott Brown.
When it comes to alternate shot, it blows the bejeebers out of the old PGA Tour slogan: These guys are good.
It also throws a douse of sewage water on the new slogan: Live Life Under Par.
Truth is, when they had to go alternate shot, most of those guys were living life so far over par it wasn’t funny.
So now can we finally get back to some real golf?
And can we get some real stars in the house at Quail Hollow?
The answer is a resounding “YES” to that question.
Basically the Wells Fargo has the one it really needs and that would be Tiger Woods, who is returning from his post-Masters vacation.
How’s this for a day one and two pairing in Charlotte:
Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed.
Should draw a few folks. In fact, that group will probably draw more spectators than there were on the entire grounds last Sunday in New Orleans.
Notice to Patrick Reed:
Yes, you’ve won a major but you will NOT be allowed to wear the same clothes as Tiger, especially since you’re paired with him on Thursday and Friday. We know you’re going to pout about this but that’s just the way it is. You’ve won one major, he’s got 14. Signed: The Good Folks At Nike.
Maybe Reed will ditch his Tiger-copycat Sunday red and black, especially since Nike put the kabosh on that combination for the final round at The Masters. Since Reed is fairly superstitious, he may just ditch that black and red deal altogether in favor of his Sunday Masters outfit.
Now what gets interesting is that the world’s No. 1, Dustin Johnson, basically thumbed his nose at Quail Hollow. He’s not here despite the fact that its a terrific venue and a really good test of golf. Outside his season-opening win in Hawaii and a runnerup at Pebble Beach, D.J. hasn’t done a helluva lot the rest of the season.
There’s no Jordan Spieth either. No worries, especially the way Jordy went in the tank late Friday in New Orleans. He hit balls in the water on his team’s final two holes to squash any sort of payday for Ryan Palmer. Jordy didn’t need that payday and it showed. Palmer could have used one. Thanks Jordy.
Justin Thomas is teeing it up in the group just ahead of Woods, Reed and Koepka. He won the PGA on this track last August. He’s with Rickie Fowler and defending champion Brian Harman.
Foot traffic should be heavy between the two groups. Woods and friends go at 12:50 right behind J.T. and Rickie at 12:40.
Lost in the shuffle is Rory McIlroy. Rory’s a dew-sweeper on day one, off at 7:30 a.m. with Paul Casey and James Hahn. How did James Hahn get in that group?
Phil Mickelson’s out early (7:40) right behind them alongside Jason Day and Daniel Berger.
Star power?
We got it this week and again next week at The Players.
We’ve got real golf again.
Thank goodness!
