Phoenix Open

[Owen_Thomas_14]

Just switched over to the golf and the 16th hole was being filmed while Tom Lehman was hitting into the 122 yard par 3 and put it into the left hand bunker. The noise is more like a football game is this putting the players off?. I only ask this as one of the commentators said ''finally someone put it close'' after Lehmans playing partner put it into about 15ft. These pros are great from this distance shouldnt they be putting it on the green at least 9 out of 10 times. So should certain holes be made into stadiums for extra money? and let the pros struggle to focus.

 

[painterboy]

More like the Christians to the lions.
Watched a few minutes last night, and some 'fans' being
interviewed were clearly the worse for wear due to alcohol.
Any other tournament and they would be ejected.
Should they get the ball to the green from 120 yards?(not the fans, the Pros )
Perhaps they should,but look at some other short holes to name one The Postage stamp, many misses there.

 

[Pip]

The 16th seems to get more unruly each year and is clearly actively encouraged. Personally, I think it's ridiculous and will do nothing for the game of golf. Let's hope it stays on that one hole and nowhere else.

 

[DCB]

Steady on guys, we're overlooking one small point here.

These are Americans were talking about

The are born, loud and brash so going to a golf comp in the middle of the desert with a "gallery" hole at 16 is just the norm for them.

There are also a goodly number of well pissed students who couldn't even spell the word golf, at the event, so what do you expect.

It is fun to watch the pros squirm a bit playing that shot though

 

[Ethan]

This is for the baseball and (American) football fan who wants to drink beer and chant the name of their college team. It may be a way of containing all the morons in one place.

The hole is remarkably uninteresting, although that does not distinguish it from most of the rest of the course.

 

[Plonko]

I thought Poulter had the right idea. Play along with them, have a bit of fun and you've won them over. It was a good job he hit a good shot though.

 

[SammmeBee]

The Pros love it though....

 

[Owen_Thomas_14]

The pros dont love it though when they are getting booed for missing a putt. It does give it a good atmosphere but i dont think its good for golf.

 

[Junior]

Not a fan, but it's obviously a massive hit for the sponsors !! I heard them say yesterday that the Phoenix Open generate $6m from corporate hospitality and ticket sales for that one hole.

If it catches on they could be springing up everywhere.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not a fan and as long as they keep it at one hole in one event I'm happy. Good idea to keep all the drunken idiots in one place rather than staggering around the course being loud and obnoxious (pick any PGA event). Thank god for the civility of Augusta

 

[Redwood]

Mind you, the hole is 162, not 122. Slight difference!!

 

[Screwback]

I thought the hole was 152?

Dont agree with the noise it goes against the traditions of the game as Homer says thank god for the civility of augusta.

 

[birdieman]

Re the distance of the hole 16 there are at least 3 tees and they move it about day to day so it's length can vary by 50 yards or so.

Quite imprssed with young Fowler, doesn't seem to show any fear, bit like our Rory. Too much orange though!

 

[thecraw]

Crap tournament. Wouldn't catch me playing that if I were talented enough to play at that level. Crowds should be there to appreciate the golf on offer not boo and insult players who miss the green.

I think it was Allenby who backed off his tee shot last night because of the noise and they turned on him because he backed off.

A one iron drilled a knee hight would soon put an end to that nonsense.

 

[Redwood]

Didn't they say Allenby had a problem with one of the cameramen, and not the crowd?

That boy Fowler's got some fast swing on him though!!!

 

[brendy]

Rickie Fowler, theres another one to watch, two top fives in 5 starts this year. Very similar to Rory in many ways too, the boy will do well.
Re the 16th, wtf is that all about? it looks like times square there, hitting between the high rise spectators.

 

[Robobum]

As soon as YE Yang stuck his ball in the pond on 17th it became a really good tounament.

I had Fowler @ 75/1 and Mahan @ 60/1 so i couldn't give a toss who won from then on in!!

 

[Spoff]

I thought Poulter had the right idea. Play along with them, have a bit of fun and you've won them over. It was a good job he hit a good shot though.

What did Poulter do? I saw something on his Twitter, but not seeing the incident it didn't make sense.

As for a bit of noise putting the pro's off, I don't get it.

They should come and have a knock round the 9 hole course I sometime play.

Next to the M62!!!

 

[Redwood]

I think Poulter hit a couple of good shots into 16, and both times he cupped his hand behind his ear, as if to say, "I can't hear you"!!

 

[Spinn77]

Poulter 'scrathced' his nose with his middle finger....hence the tweet. made me smile after the jeering he'd received.