PGA Of America Wants To Have More People Outside Ryder Cup Ropes Than Inside
Morning Drive viewers know I was not impressed by the disrespectful behavior of the European players, media and jocksniffers gathering inside the ropes at this year's Ryder Cup. My suggestion that such behavior would not be tolerated of Americans was met on Twitter with multiple counterings of "Brookline" as an excuse for the discourteous behavior. Even thought matches were still in progress, the behavior was okay because it was Europe, having clinched the cup and still suffering the after-effects of the Brookline trauma. (Note the photo here showing the nice mob of players and media gathering behind the hole when Zach Johnson was trying to putt on 18. Beyond tacky.)
The PGA of America has noticed the European Tour's questionable handling at Gleneagles and is promising to have fewer people inside the ropes than outside come 2016 at Hazeltine, reports Doug Ferguson.
Some have credentials. Some do not. One person at Gleneagles was the friend of a brother of a player. Other person seen inside the ropes was ... well, no one was sure.
It's not a clean look, especially with overhead views on television. And there were a few complaints from fans behind the ropes to struggled to see.
This has not escaped the attention of Ryder Cup organizers.
"It is an issue that we continue to review and monitor," Kerry Haigh, chief of championships for the PGA of America, said in an email. "As you know, there are a number of different groups that currently are allowed access inside the ropes. ... All categories and numbers are and will be reviewed and may be reduced or eliminated if we collectively feel it will be in the best interests of the Ryder Cup."
Reader Comments (29)
The cup had been clinched. Unlike Jose trying with a putt with the cup still on the line
No standing on greens
There are people from the USA in your "people gathering inside the ropes" picture
Only point to be made here is it looked like the crowds had trouble seeing at times...
Please don't try compare how Americans (can't wait for big shouts of "mash potato!!!" at the next Ryder cup) behave to Europeans.
Halving those no's would easily save half an hour a game.
Not so painful was standing next to the future Mrs Luke Donald. Sadly there was more a lot than a rope dividing us. I wonder if she cherishes the memory too?
Halving those no's would easily save half an hour a game.
Not so painful was standing next to the future Mrs Luke Donald. Sadly there was more a lot than a rope dividing us. I wonder if she cherishes the memory too?
I see some red trousers on that picture, too…geoff?
I mean, someone compares someone talking about Reid being questioned on the tee about his putting and the abuse European WAG's got at Medinah? Reid gets asked about his putting, Rose gets asked about his late fathers cancer.
Of course, this is all jingoism
Awaiting DTF, Beaks eta l in 5-4-3-2....
Our fans proudly yell "Mashed Potatoes" which refers to more than a single potato in the mashed state and is the culinary form of Bubba Booey.
Please get off the comments section until you get it right.
USA . . USA . . . USA . . . USA . . . USA . . . . . .
These type of outbursts happen in any sport. Instead of handling it like professionals, the Euros b**** & moan about every little negative thing. No wonder the entire lot is so fragile.
Bruce, pretty sure there's no O, just RY. That's getting annoying.
In fact, one wonders if it assists their team siege mentality...
@ Ed - I totally agree - you can thank Jebus that Croats and Serbs ain't that into golf. I have attended some Croatian soccer games and they are really quite the most hostile environment outside of a warzone.
Of course, not a patch on the old Kosar-era Dawg Pound regulars.
You mean like at Medinah?
Augusta does look so pristine. British Open is the worst among majors along wtih PGA.
Media, how are they such a big part of it? When I'm at the US Open or several other events I often see the wives within the crowd. I think you hit the nail on the head though, they WANT to be a big part of it. They don't want to blend in and watch their husbands play, they want to be on display, and like you said, be a big part of it.
I never heard anything about Bubba at the RC and how he handled the increased VIP's inside the ropes. That's what drove him over the edge earlier in the year.
I know it's too late and it's become a tremendous money maker for the PGA and others, but wouldn't it be nice to go back to a simpler time like when they played at the Greenbrier and crowds were manageable??
I'm neither European nor American so enjoy the hand-wringing from both - have to say a lot of USA fans seem terrible losers. And bitter!! So bitter.
Get over it. Hang on, I wrote that 2 weeks ago.
I;m neither either, I'm a Texan, but I wonder if, since the Euros have The St Claire's from Roslyn, if you are, well, Center Cut from Roswell?
End times and all that, you know...