An odd questions - pros and play-offs...

[barrybridges]

Let's take 2 players.

Pro A completes his final round at midday to shoot -12 for the tournament, and leads.

Pro B completes his final round at 4pm to shoot -12 also, and ends up as joint-lead.

They both then head to the play-off.

My stupid question is this:

What do the pros do if they know they are likely to be in the play-off? Surely the player who comes straight off their round is in a better position because they are 'in the groove' and have momentum, whereas another player might have finished their round an hour or so earlier and isn't in the frame, so to speak.

Do the pros head to the range to re-warm up before going to the play-off? How does it work?

Or does playing from cold not really affect pros that much?

Am I making any sense at all?

I know that - in general - I tend to play better later on in my round if I'm getting a bit of momentum going. The play-offs surely favour the later finisher?

 

[fundy]

most will keep an eye on whats happening and if it looks like going to a play off will go hit a few putts, maybe a few chips then off to the range to warm up, pretty much as if they were starting their round although they tend to only get to the range if they have to (ie the play off is confirmed) they get a bit of time while the other guy signs his card etc

 

[StrangelyBrown]

What confuses me a tad is that they basically change from stroke play to match play. I understand that no one wants to come back the day after to play another 18 but a sudden death playoff seems unfair.

 

[G1BB0]

have seen this a few times on tv, showing the guy leading in the locker room area watching the round, once they know its a play off they go and warm up, think I have seen some do it beforehand to be told on the practice area they have won it/grab yer bag son you have a playoff

 

[ADB]

I don't think there is that much advantage to be honest. Take two recent Open Championships:

Harrington finished before Garcia, in playoff Harrington won

Cink finished before Watson, in playoff Cink won.

I think in some ways there is more advantage to having a rest, taking on some food etc and then going through your pre-round routune again before going out for a playoff.

This certainly showed in the case of Watson where he was just knackared (albeit he was nearly 60!) and an hours rest, refreshment and refocus could have been valuable.

 

[barrybridges]

It's interesting though isn't it - I wonder what the stats suggest in terms of % that go on to win it coming straight off the course vs from the locker room.

 

[sweatysock41]

Another one recently was when Luke Donald was last group in and tied with Brandt Snedeker who had finished hours earlier after a great final round. Again it was the guy first in the locker room who won.

 

[chrisd]

albeit he was nearly 60!

Oi ... just watch it little boy!



Chris

 

[chrisd]

Maybe it's more a case of that days momentum

The guy in some time earlier will, almost certainly, had to have a storming round on the last day whilst the later player may just be holding on. In that scenario it could just be that momentum that carries on through the play off



Chris

 

[muttleee]

Back in 1996, Kenny Perry was leading the USPGA after his final round and then went to the TV tower to join the commentators and watch the last few players finish off. One of them was Mark Brooks, who birdied the 18th to get into a play off. The first play-off hole was the 18th and Brooks birdied it again to win, while Perry didn't manage to find the short stuff once and took 6. At the time, a lot of people said he made a big mistake by not heading to the practice ground when there was a decent chance that he could be caught.

 

[barrybridges]

This might sound stupid (then again, it might also sound inspired), but why don't they just determine the winner on the basis of the lowest round during the tournament?

Player A = 66, 64, 70, 68 = 268
Player B = 66, 62, 71, 69 = 268

Player B wins (62 lowest vs 64).

In the Premier League, if there's a tie then GD decides it. We don't make the teams play again. Ditto for a whole bunch of other sports.

If there's an equal lowest round then maybe #birdies or something like that?

Or why not ditch it all and have a nearest the pin competition?

 

[ADB]

albeit he was nearly 60!

Oi ... just watch it little boy!
Chris

Sorry guv'nor....*touches forelock*



Anyway, I had you down as late 30's / early 40's Chris...

 

[Swinger]

I understand the view point that a player who comes straight off the course into a play off should be 'warmer' and still 'in the groove' but also the player who was in first generally has had a great days play that particular day so should be feeling 'hot' and full of confidence.

I wouldn't start re writing the rule book on ties though.

Golf is only as big as it is because of a great deal of excitement the final day in most events brings and the road to which they got there. Not many people would tune in or turn up at the event to see two people hack it out in an 18 hole play off the next day*. Also there is always going to be schedules for the next week, the winner might not care about that but in every play off there is at least one loser.

Play offs can be really exciting and produce some entertaining play whether it be great or poor. The pressure the guys are under is amazing and its great to see how they cope.

* Tiger v Rocco was worth every second - even with all the breaks and gaps between shots.

 

[chrisd]

Anyway, I had you down as late 30's / early 40's Chris...

I had you down as needing an eye test Snap my friend!



Chris

 

[chrisd]

This might sound stupid (then again, it might also sound inspired), but why don't they just determine the winner on the basis of the lowest round during the tournament?

Player A = 66, 64, 70, 68 = 268
Player B = 66, 62, 71, 69 = 268

Player B wins (62 lowest vs 64).

In the Premier League, if there's a tie then GD decides it. We don't make the teams play again. Ditto for a whole bunch of other sports.

If there's an equal lowest round then maybe #birdies or something like that?

Or why not ditch it all and have a nearest the pin competition?

Because we all want to see someone actually win the tournament - all those ideas are no better than countback which is the worst way ever to win/lose a competition



Chris

 

[ADB]

Anyway, I had you down as late 30's / early 40's Chris...

I had you down as needing an eye test Snap my friend!



Chris

I was talking waistline....

 

[TheClaw]

This might sound stupid (then again, it might also sound inspired), but why don't they just determine the winner on the basis of the lowest round during the tournament?

Player A = 66, 64, 70, 68 = 268
Player B = 66, 62, 71, 69 = 268

Player B wins (62 lowest vs 64).

In the Premier League, if there's a tie then GD decides it. We don't make the teams play again. Ditto for a whole bunch of other sports.

If there's an equal lowest round then maybe #birdies or something like that?

Or why not ditch it all and have a nearest the pin competition?

Then the most consistent player could lose to someone who shot a high(er) round along with a low round.

 

[Swinger]

This might sound stupid (then again, it might also sound inspired), but why don't they just determine the winner on the basis of the lowest round during the tournament?

Player A = 66, 64, 70, 68 = 268
Player B = 66, 62, 71, 69 = 268

Player B wins (62 lowest vs 64).

In the Premier League, if there's a tie then GD decides it. We don't make the teams play again. Ditto for a whole bunch of other sports.

If there's an equal lowest round then maybe #birdies or something like that?

Or why not ditch it all and have a nearest the pin competition?

Then the most consistent player could lose to someone who shot a high(er) round along with a low round.

That line would be better saved for a debate on the world rankings!!

 

[chrisd]

Anyway, I had you down as late 30's / early 40's Chris...

I had you down as needing an eye test Snap my friend!



Chris

I was talking waistline....

I have never been so insulted in all my ......... sorry,no, there was the time Smiffy called me a *;'@****


Chris

 

[USER1999]

Why don't pro comps just use count back? (not starting a debate on the merits of count back).

It is used at every golf club in the country for deciding stroke play events. Why not pro comps?