European Tour 2017 DP World Tour Championship

First topic message reminder :

Selected Tee Times

Apparently there are going to be some "celebrities" on the commentary.

Golf 6s - wow! I lasted until the smoke blew to mark the entrance of Vernon Kaye! Hope it works for some.

Have to admit that, if you ignored the "celebrity" bit (I do that with all sports anyway), the concept of it as a golf tournament was/is rather fun and I hope it continues to grow, just like the T20 has done in cricket (I hated that, too, when it first started). There are still test matches for the purists (just like there are Majors for golf purists), but this is golf for the masses and they seemed to be enjoying it - especially on the hole sponsored by Jamesons whiskey where apparently they were giving it away! Great to see so many youngsters there too, obviously getting into the spirit of the game but still knowing when to be quiet. If the game is going to survive, then I'm afraid this has to be the future.

Who was the cute brunette doing some of the interviewing? I think she interviewed Team Scotland after winning the playoff.

I though Wayne Riley was a hoot!

So, I went to the Golf Sixes on Saturday... and I thought it was fantastic.

- As a golfer I've never really asked myself "is golf boring?". I love playing and watching golf, I don't question those beliefs. Well this weekend really made me sit up and realise that the week-in week-out tournament golf on TV is such niche entertainment and so narrow in appeal.
- Richie Ramsey said that "golf's governing bodies have been asleep at the wheel". I get his point. If you're new to golf, you're not going to get any satisfaction from watching Day 3 of the Wells Fargo. It's just a passage in a wider story, like going to watch Day 3 of a test match.
- The Sixes matches were short but entertaining, with players pushing for birdie every hole and a result after an hour. Very similar to watching T20 cricket vs a day at a test match.
- I would never consider taking my children to watch a day at the Open, but the short format, relaxed attitude and showbiz touches / gimmicks did make it fun for my little ones.
- Vernon Kaye is a better starter than Ivor Robson, he actually makes it sound interesting.
- The shot clock has potential to be pushed out to more tournaments. Players had 40 seconds on Saturday, then they realised this was still way too long and moved it fown to 30 seconds.
- Any sports event that needs fireworks is pretty lame... the entertainment on the pitch should be enough, but the dramatic entrance of the players, the music, the crowd cheering, was not golf as we know it but really was fun.
- The players genuinely looked like they were loving it, especially Sullivan, Olesen, Luiten, Aphibarnrat. This is always going to appeal to the more outgoing and relaxed players.
- Jamesons with ginger ale and lime is very tasty.

GPB wrote:Who was the cute brunette doing some of the interviewing?  I think she interviewed Team Scotland after winning the playoff.

I though Wayne Riley was a hoot!

Anna Whiteley, she is a regular on Sky sports, especially golf, here in the UK.

Googling Anna Whiteley, all the images are a blonde girl.

IMO, the brunette was a true brunette with a darker complexion.

Edit...did some research. The brunette is Henni Zuel

Oh that brunette. Hennie is a regular sky sports pundit for both men's and ladies golf. Former tour pro, quite young to retire from golf already. I think she's married to an ET player.

Thanks for your personal report Ray - glad you and your youngsters enjoyed it (and the Jamesons!). You seem to back-up what I felt watching it at home. This has to be the way forward, as T20 has been the shot in the arm that cricket needed to stop it stagnating and dying. A bit like Sevens in rugby, too. When everyone is short on time these days, all these short forms of sports can only be a good thing.

Incidentally, I find Henni Zuel intensely irritating when she's in the studio but she was considerably better on the course - not a patch on Radar Riley though! He's a class act

Hats off to the ET for trying this format. Hope it catches on and good to hear a first-hand positive report Ray.

Cheers Ray - seen a few comments from dyed in the wool purists (I assume) about how it's "not golf" and gimmicky etc. Good to hear it was entertaining and the little ones enjoyed it (although I assume not at the Jamesons giveaway...)

I love golf and I love playing the full 18 hole format, but golf is dying on it's arse so an hour blast watching pros hunting birdies with shot clocks and a nearest the pin playoff actually might make it (relatively) interesting for youngsters to at least take an interest.

All too late before I noticed, but it was on the Sky Sports channel that doesn't require a subscription yesterday. Caught the last hole of the final and the playoff nearest the pin before I had to go out (and play!).

More of that with a smattering of proper free to air coverage might help (C4 or ITV might suit better than the Beeb though for a more modern take - although they'd possibly struggle not having any golfing experience)

From what I watched on TV it looked really fun. Good initiative.

I really enjoyed the bits I caught too. Interesting that Keith Pelley was saying that they'd got some bits wrong but generally it was well received. He didn't specify but it seemed like they'd been told the razzamatazz was a bit too much.

The fireworks was a bit tacky and probably also the players entry.

SmithersJones wrote:I really enjoyed the bits I caught too. Interesting that Keith Pelley was saying that they'd got some bits wrong but generally it was well received. He didn't specify but it seemed like they'd been told the razzamatazz was a bit too much.

I thought the pink phallic mascot was kind of odd.

I didnt catch any of it, apart from clips on twitter. Seems like a good idea and something to generate interest in golf, which I think most can agree is struggling. I remember when T20 cricket started it was all a bit of a laugh, yet found its feet and has become very good. People still dislike it, though I have no idea why. I think this form of golf can go the same way when it settles down. Under the lights in the middle east or asia seems perfect. It wont suit all players, but its not meant too.

pedro wrote:The fireworks was a bit tacky and probably also the players entry.

Did they have that ridiculous intro when the players walk on moody faced and turn to the camera with crossed arms?

ray,
Thanks

The Dude with the Hat!

Quiros had a great final round last week and he's back at it again, 2nd in Sicily's morning wave. Would love to see him get back to his best.

Is it too early for an official 59 watch?
Michael Hoey 8 under par after 11 holes . . . . . . . .

Alvaro 16 under for last 2 rounds - oh I hope it lasts!

kwinigolfer wrote:Is it too early for an official 59 watch?
Michael Hoey 8 under par after 11 holes . . . . . . . .

Hoey in the house with a 61, matching Soderberg. Not 59 but pretty tasty.

Fingers crossed for Alvaro.

Alvaro on his hole in one - 198yds 7 iron, nice one but thought it had to get down!. "I can complain, 6 holes in one and no car!"

puligny wrote:Alvaro 16 under for last 2 rounds - oh I hope it lasts!

23 under over 3 rounds. Now in the lead.
Alvaro!!

Alvaro watch now definitely engaged!

Rory a non-starter at Wentworth.
Next up: Memorial. No word yet on that.

kwinigolfer wrote:Rory a non-starter at Wentworth.
Next up: Memorial. No word yet on that.

Not playing at Wentworth was a given - he hates the course. Unfortunately a lot of people bought tickets, especially those with children who wanted to see him, when it was announced he was going to play. I think he's upset a lot of fans.

Great play by Alvaro. Hopefully he won't have to go back to the Challenge Tour after all!

LadyP he's had a reoccurance of his rib injury, thats the reason he's missing Wentworth. Disappointing for all I would say. If it's refractured it's a 4 week layoff minimum.

http://www.golfchannel.com/video/dr-ara-explains-rorys-rib-injury/

Meant to mention yesterday - Suri, young American fella playing with Alvaro, shot 62 to make the cut on the cut line! Seriously good round, and follows 2nd place in Portugal last week where his final round was spectacular. Contemporary of Mr Koepka, and showing similar power!

Mike Weir made his first cut since the Summer of 2014, anywhere. (barely, on the number)

Some writers claimed its his first cut since the 2014 CIMB, but that was a no cut event. His actual last cut made was the 2014 Barracuda in August 2014. 35 Missed Cuts or Early Round WDs later, Weir makes the cut in Italy.

Unfortunately for Weir, a +4 76 today puts him near dead last after the cut.

I think Weir was one shot worse than the average score, on a very difficult day. Good to see a course morph from pussycat to tiger based solely on a bit of wind.

Enjoying this course, or at least the setting, first time I've looked in.

Always been partial to Quiros, clearly named Alvaro after Pat Eddery's first ever winner which I watched on TV! But making a bit of a Horlicks of these closing holes.

Lombard's a talent, one to follow I reckon.

PS: Great to hear the dulcet tones of Warren Humphreys . . . . . . every golf commentator could learn something from him.

Be_the_ball wrote:LadyP he's had a reoccurance of his rib injury, thats the reason he's missing Wentworth. Disappointing for all I would say. If it's refractured it's a 4 week layoff minimum.

http://www.golfchannel.com/video/dr-ara-explains-rorys-rib-injury/

I know it's a recurrence of the rib injury, just saying that it was almost a certainty he'd come up with some reason to miss Wentworth, whatever it was. I also find it so hard to understand why such a supposedly fit young man is so susceptible to injuries, if it's not because of the punishing gym routines.

kwinigolfer wrote:Enjoying this course, or at least the setting, first time I've looked in.

Always been partial to Quiros, clearly named Alvaro after Pat Eddery's first ever winner which I watched on TV! But making a bit of a Horlicks of these closing holes.

Lombard's a talent, one to follow I reckon.

PS: Great to hear the dulcet tones of Warren Humphreys . . . . . . every golf commentator could learn something from him.

I'm watching it on record - don't tell me what's happening!!!!

OK! LP, Rory's won Wentworth in the past, he can't hate it that much . . . . . . . .

Well - who would have thought someone from a country beginning with S would win!

Scotland or Sicily?

Sweden?

I'm with LP om the Rory issue - I was there the year he won it and he won almost despite himself not because of it - he really doesn't seem to like Wentworth and if it wasn't for the ribs I could see some dental crisis stopping him from playing

I agree with LP, at no point did I expect him to play Wentworth, always expected some sort of injury before the tournament.

Great win by Alvaro - but no thanks to Sky who managed to stop the recording in the middle of the first playoff hole! Thankfully I was able to watch highlights on my iPad and see who had won but it was very frustrating. Usually the recording keeps going until the end of the broadcast, even if it over-runs

LadyPutt wrote:Great win by Alvaro - but no thanks to Sky who managed to stop the recording in the middle of the first playoff hole! Thankfully I was able to watch highlights on my iPad and see who had won but it was very frustrating. Usually the recording keeps going until the end of the broadcast, even if it over-runs

That's a shocker! What did Sky switch to? Wrestling, fishing, dodgeball?

The US golf over-runs every night and they always stay with it. Surprised they didn't give you the option to carry on watching via the red button, because the cameras and commentators would still have continued coverage.

I think she meant the RECORDING stopped before the end - not the coverage

Does anyone know where I can find the full field for the PGA? According to what I've seen on the ET website the entry list shows no big names (highest ranked player is Chris Wood at 66) while the Behind the Field article says they have Rose, Stenson, Noren, etc.

Very confused by it all and it's not helping with posting the next FL event

https://www.europeantour.com/en/europeantour/tournaments/2017/bmw-pga-championship/#entry

Grumps,
There's a cut-off point cunningly concealed in Category 14 . . . . . . . .

Thanks Kwini, for some reason all the players in the various category 0's were missing from the one I saw.

Some cool groupings but the European Tour website has Gallacher, Immelman, Langasque and McGinley as a foursome.
Is that correct? Would be a trifle unusual . . . . . . . !

How bizarre. It's either not correct or quickly check the bookies odds on a fourball!

Burmester, Colsaerts and Quiros - longest drive to come from that group?