It’s no secret that the WGC Match Play semi-finals and final were a total snoozer.
Now the proof is in.
The semis drew a 2.4 television rating, up against the Auburn-Kentucky NCAA basketball game.
The finals, as expected, were even worse. Kuch vs. Kiz drew a stinky 1.6 while Duke and Michigan State turned in a 10.5, and rightfully so.
No surprises there, they were condemned to watch paint dry in Austin.
Now we have this week’s Valero Texas Open, the week before The Masters.
The Shell Houston Open used to be the week before and the folks in Houston made sure their greens were very much akin to those at Augusta National. But the longest-running tour sponsor is gone and so is the Houston Open, sadly.
Which brings us to the TPC San Antonio.
Houston used to get some decent profile players, including Phil Mickelson, who regularly put it on his schedule.
This week, the biggest name in the field is world No. 8 Rickie Fowler — only player from the top 10 willing to do the San Antonio Stroll. Tony Finau (15th) and last week’s runner-up, The Kuch (16th) are the only guys in the world’s Top 20 in the field.
Jim Furyk continues to strike while he’s playing well, he’s there so is Puntacana winner Graeme McDowell and Tiger-slayer Lucas Bjerregaard.
Mostly it’s a field of guys who are not in The Masters — Rickie, Tony and Kuch are the exceptions.
There’s competition for eyeballs on the tube. This week is the LPGA’s first major of the season — the ANA Inspiration and on top of that, there’s the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which means Masters lovers can eyeball the course on NBC come Saturday.
So good luck San Antonio — you’re on your own.
In the words of angry Rory McIlroy after he cold-shouldered the media after his loss to Tiger Woods:
“See you at The Masters.”
