The storyline for the Hope was Steve Sticker’s meltdown. It is significant that one bad swing (or in this case, three bad swings) can rapidly change the outcome of a tournament.
It can happen to anyone and at anytime but one cannot help but wonder if the same thing would have happened if all four rounds had been played in the tough conditions and more challenging pin placements prevailing during round five.
My problem with the Hope is (1) five rounds and (2) the course set-up over the first four rounds. The scores underline how soft the courses were and perhaps the tough conditions just hit ‘em between the eyes on day five and they weren’t prepared?
Five rounds is simply too long. This day and age calls for 72 holes. Retain the Pro Am format but three days of amateur play is plenty before the finale.
Since the amateurs are playing best ball anyway why is there any need to make the pins accessible? Give the pros a test. It’ll never be a US Open but real golfers like to see the best sweating a little.
Perez earned and deserved (not the same thing) his victory. The eagle at 18 said it all. Behind him, it was good to see perennial top liners such as Mike Weir, Stephen Ames (highly under-rated), Chad Campbell and David Toms all play well.
Among the newer names it will be interesting to see if John Merrick and Webb Simpson can repeat the effort on tougher tracks.
The format is perhaps geared more towards entertainment (and we have more of the same to look forward to at the A, T&T) and less towards skill so the form shown has an asterisk. I wish it were different but it is what it is and tradition is hard to break. It's just as well there was some 72 holes of serious golf going on in the Middle East.
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