Hot Polls from Sunday at the Honda

[STUDque]

Sunday at the Honda was a content monster.  For those who didn't get to see it, here's the backstory to our three poll questions:

(1) Do European tour wins count as much as pga tour wins? (2) Is Azinger a doofus?
No better way to fire up an entire continent than alienate the population on live TV.  When talking about Fleetwood's attempt for his first PGA win, Azinger's monologue on his comparisons between the Euro Tour and PGA were certainly cringe-worthy.  Calling it "that other tour" and citing that you haven't won until you've won on the PGA.  In his defense, this is him toeing the company line by promoting the PGA tour.  Additional, Fleetwood was previously quoted saying "if you want to be one of the best in the world, you need to win in America."  Which side of this do you fall?

 

 

(3) What should be done to spectators who yell something during a players backswing?
Standing in the par 5, 18th fairway, Fleetwood needed birdie to tie Im for the lead and force a playoff.  From 253y, he decided to go for the green with water right.  At the top of his backswing, a spectator yelled "Get in the hole!" and, well, just watch the result for yourself:

 

 

[PlaidJacket]

I didn't get to watch any of the final round. I only saw the highlights later on the GC. I didn't hear someone yell in his backswing but that might have been because it was a replay. I did see and hear Fleetwood discussing his round and he didn't utter a word about it that I recall. Either way I despise people that do that and think there should be repercussions. I have no comment about Azinger as I didn't listen to his discussion. I like him just fine and nobody is prefect. I'd challenge anyone to put themselves up there on live TV and take a shot at doing a better job. Not me. I wouldn't last 5 minutes.

[DaveP043]

There's a reason that players leave the European Tour and come to play the PGA Tour full time, its where the best players in the world are playing.  That's why Fleetwood is here, he wants to compete against the best players.  Of course its also the "company line", and of course it might ruffle some feathers to say so bluntly, but I'm pretty sure Tommy would agree.  He probably wouldn't agree that wins in Europe somehow "count less", but he's here to do something he hasn't done yet.

Edited March 2, 2020 by DaveP043

[TR1PTIK]

The European Tour is great, but few events feature fields as strong as what we see almost weekly on the PGA Tour. As for the specific comments made on the broadcast about Tommy Fleetwood, The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship typically features some of the biggest names in golf. To win two of those back-to-back is no small feat. Clearly, Azinger is an idiot.

[gobama84]

3. What should be done to spectators who yell in a player's backswing?

Beat them with a 9 iron.

[SteddyGolf]

Burning down your neighbors house doesn’t make your little dump look any better. Words matter and putting down the European tour doesn’t make the PGA look any better.

 

Yelling in the back swing? When I played college basketball I never heard the crowd. In Major League Baseball players are asked to hit and field a ball moving 100 mph while folks yell all kinds of obscenities. I say let everyone yell then it won’t be an issue.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

 

[revkev]

I took the poll being blissfully unaware of why it was offered.  So I will throw in comments where appropriate:

 

1.  Who has the better Ryder Cup record?  Shouldn't the question go the other way around?  Honestly I think they are both major tours, there are lots of very capable players on each - it may be that the PGA tour is deeper but then again not.  Euro's come here to play but our top players go there to play - it seems like winning on both sides of the pond validates a player.

2.  Azinger really said that?  Wow!  I didn't hear it so I won't comment beyond that. 

3.  I was actually watching but not closely - we had just returned home from a weekend trip and I was busy bringing things in from the van.  I saw the shot in the water but did not hear the fan.  Two things come to mind - there is an expectation that people will be quiet while players are hitting shots and putting - the marshals holding up signs that say, "Quiet Please," would be the tip off there.  Given that advanced warned about making noise I'd say the fan should be escorted off the premises much as a person is escorted out for going on the field in a baseball game.  Players however, particularly ones the regularly contend, need to be prepared for this sort of thing.  I do agree that if guys can shoot free throws or hit fastballs with tons of crowd noise and motion then a golfer should be able to focus enough to hit a shot with some background noise - the gallery was not even all that close for that shot. 

[MaxEntropy]

On 3/3/2020 at 10:40 AM, revkev said:

I do agree that if guys can shoot free throws or hit fastballs with tons of crowd noise and motion then a golfer should be able to focus enough to hit a shot with some background noise - the gallery was not even all that close for that shot. 

I do not disagree at all with this statement and the 16th at the Waste Management proves they can deal with the noise, but I think there is a difference between a lot of ambient noise versus a sudden spike in noise, which is what this really is when an idiot yells during a backswing.

[revkev]

4 hours ago, MaxEntropy said:

I do not disagree at all with this statement and the 16th at the Waste Management proves they can deal with the noise, but I think there is a difference between a lot of ambient noise versus a sudden spike in noise, which is what this really is when an idiot yells during a backswing.

Absolutely agree which is why I didn't even bother with football where crowds are always drunk and loud throughout the game.  But what you are describing happens intentionally in High School and small college games with free throws in basketball - the crowd grows quiet while an opponent shoots and then makes a bang as he goes into his motion.  We've probably all been there and done that.

I want to be clear that I am in no way advocating for that behavior in Golf.  I'm just stating the reality - it is going to happen and it will happen more and more frequently as time goes by.  Top players should be prepared for it.

I saw today that Ian Poulter weighed in on our poll.   

[cnosil]

Here is my rationale for my answers

1. PGA counts more than Eurpoean - Money draws the best players and that is why the best players come to the US to play.  Obviously media coverage has a lot to do with this and since I am US based,  I see more PGA coverage.   European tour is very talented,  but IMO a slight step down.

2.  No - He is a media personality and discusses golf.  He provides opinions that may or may not be his own.  I believe media personalities are told to say particular things just to start controversy and discussion.  

3.  While I don't agree with the practice of yelling in a backswing I picked nothing.  I thought about kick them out,  but almost seems too harsh especially since people seem to like the atmosphere on 16 at the Waste Management event. 

[PuffyC]

I’m not sure anyone could legitimately argue that the competition isn’t higher on the PGA Tour although being courteous means you’re not supposed to say it. Do Euro wins count as much? Depends on what you mean by “counts”. In spirit, of course he’s right, no question, he should have just phrased it a little better. As to Fleetwood, he said he never heard anyone yell so while that dumbshite should be beaten with a Sure Out it didn’t impact his shot.