Cyprus Shootout: European Tour Stop Tries Out New Format - Dog Leg News

About the author

Tom Edrington

Tom Edrington spent the first 10 years of his misguided youth as a sports writer for the Tampa Tribune. His career brought him face to face with many of sports greatest stars -- Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Muhammad Ali, Don Shula, countless Hall of Fame NFL stars, more PGA Tour players than he can count. In 1980 he was honored by the Golf Writers Association of America for writing the best news story that year, his coverage of Jack Nicklaus' U.S. Open victory at Baltusrol. Today, 36 years later, golf is still a great part of his life, thanks to competitive playing days and the wonderful people he has met on this fabulous journey.

Related Articles

8 Comments

  1. 1

    baxter cepeda

    Is it me or is this format nonsense ?
    Who gets to tee off last? I guess the best Saturday scores?

    I like the 36 hole stroke to set up something over the weekend, but I don’t know about this.

    Why not give some byes for the top stroke play guys then match. As I’ve mentioned before the key to match play events is having up to 7 consolation matches to go with the championship match Sunday; so the top 16 players are still playing.

    I don’t hate this format but someone needs to try what I’m describing.

    Most stroke play events end with 95% of guys playing for position, points, whatever, but with no chance to win. And it’s ok. So why can’t match play events do the same ?

    1. 1.1

      Tom Edrington

      You still have just two guys in match play and too much dead air time, players HATE consolation matches….I know I would.

      1. 1.1.1

        baxter cepeda

        I hear that but dont believe it.
        Pga tour players just aren’t used to it.

        Again most guys play up to 3 pga tour rounds with no chance to win. A 5th place match Is a lot more exciting to watch than guys battling for 5th is a stroke event.

        There would not be dead air time with multiple matches worth valuable points and money going on.

        There is the chance for players to climb up the board more in stroke play events but usually the top 2 or 3 win. Everyone else is just free wheeling in obscurity.

        Match play puts the spot light on everyone.

        I think these euro guys would definety enjoy what I describe. The pga tour guys are a bit spoiled with the mundane routine. But even they can get used to it.

        Golf needs more match play. Stroke events can get boring, especially on boring courses.

        1. 1.1.1.1

          Tom Edrington

          You may say Golf needs more match play but the PGA Tour listens to its sponsors and they and their big $$$$ tell the Tour that golf does not need more match play, in other words, money talks and it’s saying: NO, to match play.

          1. 1.1.1.1.1

            baxter cepeda

            Yes I understand that Tom. But it’s because they are not being creative enough.

            In a post tiger world match play will work better for the ratings people. There’s just been this obsessive need to have tiger involved the last 2 decades or so.

            No one else changes ratings other than tiger, maybe Phil a little.

            Tiger is also the reason the PGA Tour has more no cut events now;
            eliminating any Chance Tiger wont be there somewhere Sunday.

            But I know you know all this.

            I’m just saying Sometimes I feel regardless of format they should pay tiger (and Phil) —after missing the cut or whatever —to play 18 ahead of the real competition … just to satisfy ratings.

            But this isn’t going to be a problem for match play forever.

            I stress again the key to match play is with 16 competitors playing Sunday and 8 little competitions going on it could be very exciting.

            It’s important the difference between winning and losing any of the final 8 matches has significance; from more cash and points, to rewards, byes for next year, qualifying for other events, whatever. Each match should mean something.

            Many times you don’t even need any of that.

            For example if DJ and Brooks end up in a 16th place match, your telling me that won’t help ratings?

            Of course it would. And There’s a million little matchups that would be super intriguing.

            The o my problem I see is If Tiger can’t get in the top 16.

          2. Tom Edrington

            Baxter: It’s getting about that time to bid adios to Phil, just watched him play a few holes in Houston and he totally sucked! As for Tiger, let’s see what he can come up with on the course where only Jack Nicklaus is more decorated than El Tigre……and, by the way, I think we’ve seen Tiger and Phil paired together in a regular event for the last time….

  2. 2

    baxter cepeda

    I’ve heard this said elsewhere also…but Tiger and Phil never ever playing again together makes no sense.

    Imo Not only will they play together, they may even be in contention while in the same group. They will definitely be paired starting events and certainly in those many groups not in contention week in and week out in stroke play events; As happened at Sherwood.

    Phil and tiger are not sharp but since on their full blown Augusta preparation tours; it’s hard to really know. They both look terrible but they both should be grades Friday at Augusta.

    Winning is important. But if they show up at Augusta and stink, I hope both of them end this practice of playing pga tour events the wrong way to supposedly get ready for Augusta.

    As their appearances get lower I just wish they both Simply try their best to win every event they play. I also think that’s how they can best prepare to beat all the great guys on tour today. It’s not circa 2k anymore. These 2 gotta take their competition more serious if they plan to keep winning.

    1. 2.1

      Tom Edrington

      The more I see of Phil, the more I’m convinced he’s not that far from becoming a Champions Tour player for the most part; As for Tiger, he simply can’t play enough any more to expect him to be but a mirage of what he used to be; Tiger will have his moments but four rounds become one and eventually just glimpses of greatness; Sorry, but I believe both, especially Phil, are fading into the sunset of their regular tour careers…

Leave a Reply

Copyright Dog Leg News 2015 | Terms | Privacy