In golf, as in most professional sports, there's always some kind of controversy swirling, somewhere. It's only natural.
You take famous athletes with big personalities - blend in some passionate fans who worship those athletes - add lots of rules, many of which are open to interpretation - and throw it all into a mixing bowl of media that includes everything from independent bloggers to the established 24-hour sports networks. It's a classic recipe for controversy. Even Julia Child would agree with that.
Golf's Controversy du Jour, the one some are calling the "Woods-Harrington-John Paramor "on-the-clock" incident" and other simply refer to as the "Clock Kerfuffle", appears to be quite minor on the scale of golf controversies. The underlying topic - slow play - is one that a solid majority of players, both recreational and professional cite as one of golf's most significant problems. Perhaps because of that, there was not much of an outcry to back up the criticism levied on rules official, John Paramor by Tiger Woods yesterday at the Bridgestone Invitational.
Mr. Woods made his feelings known when he and Padraig Harrington were put on the clock at the par-5 16th. For those who don't know Padraig subsequently floundered, a triple bogey snowman ensued, and Tiger took the tournament with a four shot victory.
Then - post-victory - the winner made a couple of statements that, it now seems, may have led him to an undisclosed fine... and though many voiced sympathy for Mr. Harrington's lost opportunity, there was little in the way of support for Tiger's anti-Paramor protests.
At this point you're probably wondering why, other than the fact that *I once
Though I'm confident the ruling would have been the same, I couldn't help but wonder if the reaction - on the part of the fans and journalists ...even on the part of Tiger - would have had a different tone had the surly Spaniard been on the clock at the 16th instead of the prim, proper Irishman. I'm quite sure the vibe would have been distinctly different. We probably would have heard a tad more whining too.
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Do you believe Tiger actually gave Tim Finchem permission to fine him?
ReplyDeleteTim doesn't do too much controversial regarding TW unless he feels safe.
On one hand- who the heck were TW and Padraig holding up besides the East Coast news?? Then again- if discretion is brought in- that could lead to unfairness somewhere along the line. I know- I'm waffling.
ReplyDeleteNice final point about Sergio. I think I agree.
ReplyDeleteWith a single stroke separating Woods and Harrington as they stood on the 16th tee, it's conceivable Paddy would have parred out and Tiger finished with one birdie. Result: Playoff.
ReplyDeleteBy allowing only four hours of television time CBS was already at risk of holding up East Coast news. They run over local/national news all the time - think 17 consecutive weeks of 4:00 Eastern NFL games.
Whatever the motivations might have been for putting the group on the clock, I don't think protecting the news hour was one of them.
I agree slow play needs to be avoided but putting Woods and Harrington on the clock was ridiculous. Since Harrington won back to back majors last year, it was the match we all wanted to see and with Harrington one ahead with 3 to go, it was going to be a great finish. Shame on Mr Paramor for ruining what was a cracking duel. Sunday evening, 3 holes to go, Tiger was dead right to voice his disapproval...
ReplyDeleteI simply don't get it. Why enforce the clock rule then?
ReplyDeleteEnforce or don't enforce, but don't do it selectively.
I agree with Heather, you either have to enforce it or you don't. You don't get special dispensation because you're in the last group or your name is Tiger Woods.
ReplyDeleteLike Diane said, this match was very close and likely headed to playoff. It's one thing to put someone on the clock when they're not in contention. But I think considering the circumstances here, it probably shouldn't have been done.
ReplyDeleteThink of it this way. Often the referees in the NFL or NBA will "let the players play a bit rougher" in critical playoff situations. It's been shown time and again that the refs won't blow the whistle on what normally does get the calls when it's a critical game situation. This situation was as close as it gets to that for golf.
Here's the point that needs to be made. (It's a two-parter).
ReplyDelete1) The rule is fair, but rarely enforced.
2) The PGA Tour admitted they enforced the rule in this particular instance because they were concerned about getting done in time to meet their TV window.
Okay, here's the deal. Part 1 makes the Tour's enforcement at any time (especially when two guys are deadlocked for a PGA title) dicey. It's like trying to parent a child with inconsistent punishment. It just makes your job as a parent harder. The PGA needs to start enforcing the rule ALL the time. With regard to Part 2, a playoff with Tiger in it vs. the national news? If you've sold your advertising for a news slot with a low rating point and your advertiser now gets play during a high rating point, do you think he's going to be that upset? I mean who do you think people want to watch more: Tiger in a playoff or some Couric wannabe talking about the national healthcare debate?
The PGA Tour and TV executives need to meet over coffee and donuts and have a contingency in place for running over. It never ceases to amaze me how they always go into "Chinese Fire Drill Mode" when there's a conflict. Plan, relax, and count the money. And we all get another hour of Tiger beating some poor soul.
Via Twitter: "Every player will get timed at some point. Can be stressful. Dealing with it is part of competition just like wind, fast greens, etc." --Stewart Cink.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I am concerned, this is much ado about nothing. Woods made the right shots, and that's plural on purpose. He laid up correctly, Harrington didn't. He hit his third correctly (awesomely, actually) and Harrington didn't. With Woods sitting dead to the hole, Harrington then chipped in the water.
It was several shots. Not one. Clock or no clock, a fellow trying to close the tournament should have made better strokes.
From what I have read, Tiger made a comment to Padraig at the end of the match saying he was sorry that John got in the way of their battle. Tiger made that comment directly to Padraig. The rule says you cannot critize rulings to any news or media outlet. Tiger never said anything publicly. Also, i think it was wonderful that Tiger acknowleged to Padraig that the ruling got in the way - very gracious and great sportsmanship.
ReplyDeleteI love playing golf. I'm playing this week.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great site you have here. I have a sports blog myself and I would like to exchange links with you. When you get a chance, let me know if this is possible, either by email or a comment on my site. Jason
The funniest thing is that they put him on the clock and as a result they fell much farther behind than they were before being put on the clock. When they were put on the clock the group ahead of them were finishing out on the green of the same hole, after the dreaded hole the group ahead of them was out on the 18th already. I just don't understand why you put the trail group on the clock when they were two shots behind the group in front of them. Isn't that were they are supposed to be?
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about this, Golf Girl. Yes, there need to be rules, but the slow play rule seems to have no real teeth and is sort of subjective. As a golf fan, I'm disappointed that Tiger and Paddy were put on the clock on 16. I don't think Paddy would have made 8 without the clock pressure. But Charles is right, with the pressure on Tiger hit all the right shots and Harrington didn't.
ReplyDelete