What's one of the easiest ways to piss me off? Tell me that golf is boring to watch... I dare you. I just finished watching the final round of the 2011 Masters, which was won by South African Charl Schwartzel. And yet again in the final round of a major, there were more twists and turns in those round than an episode of a television drama series.
Former World #1 Tiger Woods made a dramatic push to the top of the leaderboard after starting the day 7 shots back and held a share of the lead late in the day.
Take that, Grey's Anatomy.
8 different players....8!!!... held the lead or at least a share of the lead during the final 9 holes on Sunday, something rarely ever seen at a major championship.
Top that, Lost.
The best part..Unlike all those tv shows, this Masters drama was unscripted. As is all other final round golf drama.
It wasn't the greatest final round I've ever seen, but it definitely cracked the top 10 and maaaybe top 5 on my list.
And here is my unofficial guide to what constitutes an amazing final round of golf.
1. There has to be some sort of epic choke/meltdown
We saw one of the biggest meltdowns in recent major memory as 21 year old Rory McIlroy crapped his pants on about six different occasions on Sunday and after coming in to the day leading by 4 shots(!!!), he shot an 80 and fell to 15th place. Now I love watching golfers make great shots and strategically pick apart a professional golf course, but I like it even more when golfers choke and implode. Come on guys, you're professionals! Why should we feel bad for you..you make thousands of dollars every time you play. And while most people probably felt bad for little Rory, I couldn't help but chuckle.
2. There has to be uncertainty as to who is going to be the winner
Most memorable tournaments usually are born when we have absolutely no idea who is going to win the tournament. There were 11 different guys who could have won this tournament today and it took until about 5:15 central time (45 minutes before the end of the round) before we actually had some sort of idea as Adam Scott and Charl Schwartzel pulled away from the rest of the field.
3. A good golfer has to win the tournament
One of my biggest pet peeves as a golf fan, and as a sports fan, is the sight of no-names winning. I can't stand it. And the tournaments usually become forgettable if Shaun Micheel or Ben Curtis or Mike Weir wins. (Sorry Mike...you were never that good.) Now you're probably thinking that Charl Schwartzel is a no-name, but he's not. If you follow the sport of golf at all, you would have heard Schwartzel's name before. My rule for a "good golfer" winning the tournament is that the golfer has to be among the top 50 in the world rankings at the time of their victory. And heading into this week, Schwartzel was ranked 29th. He's good.
4. There has to be a defining shot/moment.
It was looking like Tiger Woods' roar to the top was going to be something historic, but it wasn't enough to claim his 5th Masters title. The winner, Charl Schwartzel had a few defining shots/moments on Sunday. The chip in for birdie at 1 and his hole-out for eagle on the 3rd. But the defining moment has to be the way Schwartzel ended his round. 4 straight birdies on 15,16,17, and 18 to lock up the green jacket. That's unheard of on the grounds at Augusta National on a Masters Sunday.
Will people remember this tournament for Schwartzel's heroics or McIlroy's barfing all over himself? And speaking of barfing, that's what most people would rather do than watch a round of golf on television. It's the sad truth. But after today's events at Augusta, can we please put an end to this myth that golf resembles watching paint dry?
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