2010 Ryder Cup Sunday Open Thread

Sorry I didn't get this up sooner so that we could discuss NBC's broadcast of commercial breaks broken up by intermittent moments of golf.

Comments

[Mulligan]

What about Cink having to replace his cleats? Or the horrible American head covers?

Anything to help forget that the Americans are getting handed their lunch.

[Spiegs]

Geoff, correct on the commercials v. golf call. I have been watching for only 15 minutes and have seen 7 golf shots and at least 12 commercials.

[jjshaka]

For all of ESPN's faults, they actually showed more golf than commercials.
This is really awful -seems like NBC is trying to get in all of their commitments since USA is lowly cable tomorrow.
Oh look another commercial- after 2 shots!

[PABOY]

Is this truely live on NBC on the East Coast? If so how many holes will they get done in the third set of matches today?

[Jim]

Very well put. And some wonder why viewership is in trouble and the broadcast networks are in serious trouble.......................................

[Patchy]

NBC have their usual problem - lack of contingency planning vis-a-vis the weather has forced them into 'make-good' advertising in which they must cram commercials into a smaller window of time. They've been here many times before, notably during their horrid Olympics coverage (where low ratings forced them into make-good situations).

It's easy to complain but this is simply beyond the pale. One wonders if the breaks would be so frequent were the Americans dominating given NBC's shameless jingoism. It's almost as if the production types are throwing a tantrum.

Dan Hicks is on suicide watch now that Tiger (and another US player - name unimportant) has gone in well early. Does Hicks get a $5 bonus every time he says Tiger's name?

[M]

Edoardo Romero? lol.

SkySports (euro broadcast) is taking just as many commercials, but they are showing much more golf, no stupid essays, and no real waiting.

[M]

Tide is turning.

[Matt]

Koch keeps referring to Edoardo Molinari as Eduardo Romero. Really? He must be pretty tired...

[digsouth]

He's all Koch'ed up.

[bf4]

It wouldn't be so bad if they didn't insist on showing guys line up putts for two minutes while there are three other matches going on.

[Tim in Hoylake]

If you can get BBC Radio 5 live - not bad; some live interviews, and zero commercials....

[chico]

Is this not the slowest golf ever!

[digsouth]

no shit. Is the dirsctor out taking a pee every other minute, and needs to stay one one camera?
For all the work in setting up a golf telecast, they sure do waste a lot of time on watching guys pick there nose, and scratch there balls.

Fans want 80% shots, 20% putting.

Networks show 50$ commercials, 30% putts/greens. 10% shot, 10% features, 'lessons'.

[dbh]

The pga.com stream covers 17. Watson Overton MAJ Hanson headed there now.

[Patchy]

And...the tide is now going back out.

Dan Hicks is reduced to doing billboard ads in between the Euros closing out matches.

Has anyone else noticed that NBC's theme music is quite similar to 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home?' It's fitting in this context.

[Mulligan]

Americans steal 1/2 a point. Darn.

Go Europe.

O-lay!

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

Waxed.

[digsouth]

@Patchy

yes,very rip-offish on the music....I'm surprised the didn't do a "Over There " knockoff for the first day or so.......

[Patchy]

They are wearing out the Overton footage. Can someone tell NBC the Yanks are being whitewashed?

[Jim]

Here is something very controversial and maybe not even right to bring up, but is it time for Phil Mickelson to retire from Ryder Cup play? HIs record is embarrassing. I understand all the personal and family issues and am truly sympathetic to that but if your game is just not there and the format doesn't work for you should you even play? It takes a greater man to say you can't do it than it takes to keep trying (and keep losing).

[Jim]

I would add that I like Phil personally and think he is a wonderful person and family man and truly respect him for that. Amy is also a wonderful person and the kids are adorable and sweet. He is truly a class act in my book. I am talking about his game and his ability in team play and match play.

[Patchy]

As long as Phil is top 10 in the world he's an automatic selection and probably would be same as a captain's pick were he to slip out of the automatic slots. You are correct in saying that if he's not interested he should say so. European footballers 'retire' from international competition all the time while perfectly healthy and carrying on with their club careers for some time. In the States any dismissive attitude towards the Ryder Cup - even if genuine - makes the player a target for the jingoistic media. They already took plenty of flak for suggesting the players receive pay for the Ryder Cup.

It's unlikely that any player will rock the boat in similar fashion, especially a PR-conscious type like Mickelson.

[digsouth]

Hey Jim,

I think you have a point. I HATE playing in scrambles, play very poorly even when my game is really on, . and will not unless they are purely social. My point is that I don't think I should accept a captain's pick for the RC, should one ever be extended my way.

Oh, and PM sucks at team deals, and really so does TW.

[The O]

NBC's highlights: Johnny Miller's insight that the put will roll down from the high part of the hill to the lower part of the hill. Really? How do I get a job saying obvious things on TV. "When you are looking into the sun, it is hard to see the ball!"

And, I was very impressed with Romero's play given that he isn't on the team or even a European.

[Jim]

digsouth, I am horrible at scrambles as well. It is because we don't play "our own game". We run puts we would lag, we try to cut the corner etc. It is a format that isn't for everyone. I personally would love to play in a Walker Cup etc (I am a 2) but I know I would never earn even a half point so even if I somehow qualified for some crazy reason I would pass (I know a crazy thought). I agree, TW is not good at team play either (though it seems with Strick he has improved a bit). Amazing how Cink, Johnson and Watson and Overton are really pretty good in the format (so far). I didn't think Bubba and Overton would play as well as they are, I am pretty impressed. And I thought DJ would do better and am being proven wrong. Certain players are better at team match play than stroke play tournaments. Too bad people couldn't sit some of the sessions this year...........................

[Jim]

I wonder if the commercials are intended to reduce to poor "analysis"............................ I so agree with you "the O". I don't think these guys in the booth have ever watched the European Tour sadly. It is time for a change (maybe Comcast will take care of it?).

[d.b.cooper]

The RC is a fluky format, with those silly foursomes that should have been done away with long ago.

In fact, it would have been thrown out years ago except the Euros needed to keep that format.

Two days of singles and two days of fourballs would be a much fairer assessment, but of course that is not going to ever happen.

The RC is basically a mulligan for guys who aren't ever going to win a big one on their own a chance to think they won a major.

Plus, $$$$$ to keep the ET afloat.

[Mulligan]

Next, yanks will be posting that the Ryder Cup is meaningless, it does not matter. Such bad losers, brought up in the era of that now big-time poor loser, Tiger Woods.

Go back to your Playstations. Just this time, be European.

[Jim]

I actually like "foursomes" or "alt shot". It adds a bit more pressure at least to me when I play it. It adds to the mental aspect of the game imo. It is that additional item, it is a tough format and is really a team format as you are counting on your partner. Four ball is good also but one can still win even with a "weak link". In alt shot you both have to play well. I like the format but agree it does help the Europeans. Why? Because they are more team oriented? They get along better? They are more conservative?

[dbh]

Geoff, I'm hoping you can ensure Mulligan and Scott are paired together at the inaugural Shack Open.

[Jim]

Not this Yank. I love the Ryder Cup and believe it is very important. I applaud Monty's record (and Seve's etc). The Europeans have more heart and have a more "us" attitude than an "I" attitude. And the Europeans are very good golfers. Tomorrow will be fun to watch regardless of the US team's finish.

[digsouth]

Jim,

They not only don't know the players, they don't do their homework on much of anything.

I know I'm running this in the ground, but I find it amazing that Jake and crew could not recognize the distinguishing grip of the YES! putter that Furyk was using in his kazillion dollar win: I mean the have only used that black white yellow grip for several years with a boatload of wins, and players using the club.

They knew nothing about the Open winner,OOOSSE, Charl S., etc.... Hicks, the chick on the golf(sic) channel, and most of the rest must get paid per TW mention, as has been suggested. It is all sad.

[digsouth]

I have timed more than one putt read b PH and Fisher at more than 11/2 minutes.

[RickABQ]

Just a question about "strategery" (as a former US Prez from Texas would say) and I admit I don't know much about match play rules as I have never played it, but when Cink was on 18 hitting his 4th onto the green, rather than trying to hole out into a 4.25" target - an almost impossible task - why not try to end up behind Kooch if at all possible? Just to putt first and give him a read on the line? It seems a lot more realistic to think that Kooch could sink a 20' putt with an assist to Cink than to think Cink will hole out from the fairway (with apologies to Overton, however). I also realize that the green was severely sloped behind Kooch and it was no gimme to hit that "layup" shot, but neither is a hole-out from the fairway. As I understand it, the team gets to choose what order for the players to putt. Am I missing something - is there some reason they couldn't have done this? Other than it may be dumb strategy after all...

[dbh]

dg
'I have timed more than one putt read b PH and Fisher at more than 11/2 minutes....'

They were forever playing 6. There was a group in the fairway as they putted and another on the tee.
But...by the time they hit 17 they were miles ahead of the match behind. Pretty brutal when a Harrington group proves to be the rabbit on the day.

[digsouth]

Mulligan,

I am a Texan, and I'm pulling for great golf from both sides, but I am hoping Monty gets the W. I think he is an asset to the game, and deserves it.

Now with that said, I am rooting for several Americans to be individual winners.


Jim,

my health may not let me get back in single digits. I may be fishing, horseshoe pitching , and playng darts in a year or 2 if I can't get thru a round without some body part falling off.

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

@RickABQ: The Molinari brothers could have then conceded Cink's "meaningless" putt and he would have had to pick up the ball. IIRC you don't get to decline a concession.

[Johnv]

Rickabq. The euros could have conceeded Cinks par putt and them he wouldn't be allowed to putt it.

That would make Kuchars putt a little easier but he really knew he needed to make birdie anyway

[RickABQ]

Johnv - excellent point. I hadn't considered that. As I said, I have never played match play so the details sometimes escape me. Thanks.