Twitter: GeoffShac
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Monday
Feb202017

What Tiger Missed At The Genesis Open

Of course Tiger was missed. But the genesis of the Genesis turned out just fine.

While the Genesis Open’s “tournament host” was mostly holed-up somewhere in Santa Monica staying “horizontal” (according to his agent), the ailing Tiger Woods could have seen how happy the LA market was to welcome back the one-of-kind buzz only his cache delivers. But he stayed away. Except for a site visit to Hillcrest Country Club early in the week.

Horizontally speaking, the Genesis Open feels like it is headed for a bright future even after the host withdrew from the field and could not fulfill the same duties he has admirably carried out at other tournaments benefiting The Tiger Woods Foundation.

Unlike when he crashed his car in 2009 and cast a pall over his Foundation’s World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club, the Genesis Open went on with no shortage of intrigue. While a brutal storm halted play Friday and led to a discombobulated weekend, 72-holes were completed and a new lower-maintenance superstar ascended to World No. 1 status. The 91-year-old tournament played on a masterful design maintained its place as an elite PGA Tour stop without Tiger's presence.

Had Woods played the role of host, however, it would have helped.

Had Woods come to Riviera for a few hours and just sat in the locker room, he would have seen how many players were here this week to support him and all he’s done for the game. A few qualifiers and exemptees would have reminded him that he is a hero to them.

Had Tiger been here Friday and Saturday, he would have been astounded at the job superintendent Matt Morton’s volunteer army did getting the course playable for that weekend finish adding to the Foundation’s coffers. Tiger also passed on Sunday’s trophy ceremony and missed Sunday crowds overwhelming the course vendors with long lines in spite of the so-so weather.

Tiger’s dented psyche and strained back certainly would have benefited from a few minutes around the infectious joy of Kevin Hall, the 34-year-old former Big 10 Champion. Deaf since age 2, the inspirational Hall raised the bar to possibly insurmountable heights for future invitee’s receiving the tournament’s Charlie Sifford Exemption.

Fond memories from Tiger's famous L.A. Open debut twenty-five years ago might have been conjured up watching the impressive PGA Tour debut of Pepperdine’s Shahith Theegala, who qualified in Monday’s Collegiate Showcase and rewarded the tournament by attracting a boisterous local following. Making the cut made for an ever better story, as Mike James noted in the LA Times. Tiger might have even observed that the Showcase needs to get more attention going forward. Maybe he'll read the press accounts.

Of course, Tiger’s ego might have taken a bruising given that his TGR Ventures showed they didn’t need him. The business side operation of the Woods empire has plenty of experience running events like this one and the operation got through the week despite a late start cooking up tournament plans. They incorporated elements for kids and probably underestimated how much the 15-year-old and-unders here thanks to free entry also enjoyed the minuscule Learning Lab set up on site.

Even without Woods, the marketing effort in the finicky LA market improved in year one. But compared to other PGA Tour events, the overall experience has a long way to go. Merely relying on Riviera as a draw for players and fans will not be enough.

The second-year of an Uber operation helped get fans to a tournament location so cumbersome that this three-time major site has not hope of hosting future majors because of its small scale. Once on site, the event needs to get with the times. This is a city with all but its NFL team playing in a state-of-the-art facility. Standards have been elevated. Opening an outlet of Woods Jupiter on the 10th hole was a nice start, but given where modern tournaments are going with concerts and other fun events, TGR Ventures will have to be more aggressive going forward.

Woods should be pleased that few will remember his absence thanks to new World No. 1 and LA fan-favorite Dustin Johnson overpowering Riviera.  Having Johnson already locked in for next year and a likely spot on the 2018 schedule before the WGC Mexico City, will only continue the strong-field trend that had eight of the world top 10 at Riviera.

While DJ’s play over the final holes was a little loose, reaching 20-under-par and opening up a nine-stroke lead made him a worthy addition to Riviera’s legendary list of champions. It’s a list that likely will never include Woods based on his current trajectory. But Tiger’s legacy in southern California has already been solidified with his Foundation’s two decades of work.

Taking the Genesis Open to another level as a premier PGA Tour stop—a status it long enjoyed as a foundational tour event won by legends—would be something Woods will savor for his business future and community legacy.  That legacy starts with showing up. Because first and foremost, he would have learned that he was missed in whatever capacity he could serve.

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Reader Comments (15)

Thanks Geoff, spot on. Squeaky Jr. and I enjoyed our annual ramble around Riviera and there was a lot of buzz in the air. Big crowds followed DJ as he distanced himself from the field, and you sensed he was a very popular champion. Even after torrential rains, the course looked great. We were able to get a decent burger (it better be for $15) from Woods Jupiter, and found a seat there to watch the action on number 10. I was a little worried about this event when Northern Trust moved on (it really is nearly impossible to get to), but you sensed new energy and commitment from both Hyundai and the Tiger people. I do wish Tiger had found a way to show up for a couple of hours, the crowd would have loved to see him.
02.20.2017 | Unregistered CommenterSqueaky
I'm going to double dip, sorry fellas, but I do think the DJ story is a terrific comeback/redemption story, provided you're willing to go to the dark place that makes the story so strong. This guy had to take a time out (suspension?) from golf just a couple of years ago to take care of undisclosed personal challenges, then he came back and blew a U.S. Open with a pretty epic choke at Chambers Bay. At that point, you had no reason to bet that he would not only come back, but come back as a better golfer. But he did. On a personal note, he's a super nice guy at tournaments. He goes out of his way to say hello to kids, which seems easy to the rest of us, but isn't all that common at tournaments. Congrats, DJ.
02.20.2017 | Unregistered CommenterSqueaky
Great venue, was nice to watch most of two rounds yesterday on Sky. Rich Beem noted it was his favourite regular tour stop and raved about the course as many would. DJ takes over as #1. Augusta should be great this year.
02.20.2017 | Unregistered CommenterKG
Well said, Geoff.
02.20.2017 | Unregistered Commenterdigsouth
I like Johnson, I like the way he has stuck by his caddy who took so much unwarranted stick from the know-it-all's. He's probably not a deep-thinker, but I'm bettiing he's smart enough.

When you hit the ball that far, that straight, you gonna do good, no matter where, regardless of whether there is rough or (in Riv's case) none at all. Interesting that this is the guy who walked off the ankle-deep rough of Torrey with Day and Tiger and looked so disinterested.

Strange game.
02.20.2017 | Unregistered CommenterCenter Cut
I think that DJ finally has a father figure, and he is a Great One.
02.21.2017 | Unregistered CommenterHardy Greaves
Ouch, a different kind of "Tiger Slam"
02.21.2017 | Unregistered CommenterJRTheNorth
Fifteen paragraphs and a lot said. Easy reading when thoughts flows as if spoken without taking a breath. Great synopsis, Geoff.
02.21.2017 | Unregistered CommenterD. maculata
Good Stuff Geoff.

What TW would have "missed" if he were in fact able to participate, would have been The Cut.........

This week we witnessed a wonderful display of power, iron-play, and putting by Dustin Johnson. While TW was without peers, and without question the best player, in his era, that chapter is closed, and has been for a while. His now limited skills might make a brief appearance now and then but it will be infrequent and without any significant influence on the outcome of any major golf tournament.

Turn the page, there are is some marvelous talent on the Tour, and some young talent filling the ranks. Hoping for a TW return is futile and a huge waste of time at this point. DJ, #1 player in the world! Congrats.
02.21.2017 | Unregistered CommenterPro From Dover
"And all he's done for the game..."

Like what?
02.21.2017 | Unregistered CommenterSun Mountain Man
Yep... Tiger's toast. Somehow I think there's more to the story than we're being told although it's hard to believe that his camp would keep the full truth from his fans or somehow try to mislead the general public. A post from a few days a go suggested that we might be hearing about rehab of some sort sooner or later. I'm beginning to wonder??

Congrats to DJ. As noted above he's a good guy and comes across as just another guy in the crowd when he's not on the course. Lot's of fans around here and he treats them with respect. What a concept.
02.21.2017 | Unregistered CommenterJupiter
@Center Cut - DJ fired his caddie Bobby Brown (not the signer) a couple of times and eventually hired his brother Austin who has been on the bag for a while now.
02.21.2017 | Unregistered CommenterAbu Dhabi Golfer
I volunteered, for the first time (golf, not life!)...for $75, it is a terrific experience if you have the time...shirt, cap, jacket, four anyday tickets, free parking and free food/drink. I'd say it's best for the self employed or retired folk - though many of the people I met took vacation weeks to volunteer! I'm amazed that the tour can get thousands of people to work menial jobs for free - such is the power of celebrity and professional sports. Highlight for me, at least, was watching the players on Tuesday practice...no public, beautiful day...got to walk the course and watch the players with no one around.

As for people complaining about parking, there is plenty on La Mesa (one of nicest, if not the nicest, streets in LA) - houses overlook 12,13...about a 20 minute walk to the entrance. And maybe you'll run into Mel Brooks!
02.21.2017 | Unregistered CommenterManku
I found the Genesis to be a tough watch this year - and a Tiger sighting would have made no difference for me....hate to say that since I look forward to this golf tournament for a lot of reasons and usually enjoy the Riviera event more than other west coast events....the LA weather certainly did not help.....the runaway by DJ made it a contest for 2nd place very early in the day.....the first page of the leader board was fairly skinny.....overall not compelling sports TV....have not seen any ratings but guessing they will be low especially with the weather here in the east making it a good golf weekend in a lot of areas....as Belichick would say - "we're on to PGA National"
02.21.2017 | Unregistered CommenterKeith - NYC
Sadly, Tiger isn't really missed at tournaments for his golf anymore. Growing up, man, he was a legend though.
03.16.2017 | Unregistered CommenterJosh Yooa

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