Questions for the GM Forum...

[PaulOHagan]

Afternoon guys

Hope you all had a good Saturday (plenty of birdies?) and are all ready for what should be a great evening of golf.

It is 9.45 here in the media tent and it is pretty empty at the moment - the calm before the storm i guess.

I just wanted to get your opinion on yesterday's events.

From here it seemed like a great day of US Open golf that had plenty of drama. Did it feel the same watching back at home?

There have been a number of complaints on US Forums about the ESPN coverage. How was the coverage on Sky?

How did the atmosphere come across during the Tiger/Phil show? It was amazing to watch here but i'm not sure if i was just caught up in the moment.

Does the course look as good on TV as it does here?

I would be really interested to read your opinions on any of the above...

Thanks

Paul

 

[Basher]

Hi Paul,
The ESPN coverage still stars Tiger and Phil with a typical American atmosphere of whhops, yeehas as well as the obligatory and annoying "get in the hole!. We do get cameo appearances from whoever is leading and the nearest to them with brief glimpses of other players.

The course does look quite good but I have to say the greens do look patchy in places.

 

[theeaglehunter]

From here it seemed like a great day of US Open golf that had plenty of drama. Did it feel the same watching back at home?

Most definitely yes, it was great to see some Europeans put together some tremendous rounds, with Harrington and Jiminez notable examples. It was also nice to see Tiger find a bit of form during his round although that knee certainly looked painful after once particular approach from the rough I think on the 2nd hole- his 11th. The tournamnet definitely seems to be far more enjoyable for everyone this year, Geoff Ogilvy said in an interview that it is much better for the players in terms of enjoyment to actually be able to make birdies, whilst any wayward shots are still punished but not to the extent where you have no chance of recovering even by hacking out onto the fairway. From a spectators point of view it is also good to see the pros under pressure and having to scrap for par like us amateurs so often have to, but whilst still being able to show their true class through recoveries from 'impossible' positions / situations.

There have been a number of complaints on US Forums about the ESPN coverage. How was the coverage on Sky?

Apart from being probably around 90% focused on Tiger, and Phil show featuring Adam Scott, the coverage has been good in my opinion. There haven't been unbearable amounts of commercial breaks whilst the quality of the actual footage has been superb whilst watching in HD. I have certainly enjoyed looking at special features where they have shown the exact ball flight of certain shots, and different graphics of the run off points and general movement of the greens before an approach shot is played- although this seems common place for most tournaments now. The commentary has been the best part in my opinion, I really have enjoyed listening to Butch Harmon, he knows so much about all of the players not just those he coaches- although the extra insight he can give into the players that he does have a working relationship is notable and something that is very interesting to hear. He also seems very neutral and is willing to both applaud players when they do well and criticise when they make any unforced errors.

How did the atmosphere come across during the Tiger/Phil show? It was amazing to watch here but i'm not sure if i was just caught up in the moment.

It has been great watching these two play together although like any tournament, watching a group play on tv is never the same as actually being there. The atmosphere is still noticeable though and clearly something special mainly due to the ridiculously large numbers that are following the group. Everybody is clearly in absolute awe of these players- including Adam Scott who has also played some excellent golf at times. Even though the scoring from these big guns has not been as good as some other 'minnows' it has still been great watching the worlds best go about their business in entirely different but equally effective methods. I would have liked to see more of some of the other better known players as well- but I am not really complaining the action has been great so far.

Does the course look as good on TV as it does here?

depends- how good does it look there? . It certainly does look great but one point that the commentators have picked up on is how brown some of the greens are looking. Whilst it does not seem to be as visually pleasing as Augusta during the Masters, it does look great and suitable for the occasion. It is just the condition of a few parts of the course that have been questioned / criticised from a television perspective, specifically the greens that we are informed are still running true despite their patchy appearance. Again though a course is always going to look better first hand in my opinion.



Hope you enjoy the action, I'm trying to kill some time before it begins here.

 

[PaulOHagan]

Basher

The greens do seem to be a bit of an issue in the afternoon. Justin Rose said they were "the worst greens I have ever played on at a US Open."

The problem is the type of grass here which bobbles easily and the fact they need them so quick. There are obviously fewer players at the weekend so it will be interesting to see how the surfaces hold up.

 

[Nico]

Crickey fellas!

Coverage is fine as long as you love Tiger and Phil.
Otherwise is a bit rubbish. Course is awesome too, long but in perfect nick and set up for the top golfers on earth.

It is hard but fair!

 

[PaulOHagan]

theeaglehunter

Some really interesting points...

We also saw some of the graphics showing the flight of certain shots - it was amazing to see how much Tiger moves the ball in the air but still manages to find the fairway! I can't remember the last time i saw him strike it as well as he did on his back nine.

The course look fantastic from here. One of the Getty Images photographers was just telling me it is not great for photography; getting wide shots is extremely difficult because of roads, ropes and various other obstructions. But in terms of the layout it looks fantastic. Many are spectacular and while it is extremely tough there are plenty of birdie opportunities out there. From a spectator point of view there are a couple of bottlenecks where everyone is held up but there are also some brilliantly placed stands and a number of great vantage points.

 

[Basher]

Have you managed to get your hands on any goodies yet Paul? (He asked in anticipation)

Seriously though, on the whole the coverage is quite good. Butch Harmon is a knowledgeable guy who urges ALL players to do well. He can often be heard to urge the ball on, regardless of who hits them.
Just a shame about the typically American whooping and "Get in the hole" dingbats!

 

[HTL]

You must be devastated its going on for another day, how are you dealing with the news? Did you have flights booked?

Are the fans all rooting Tiger to win?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think the biggest differnce in the coverage is the way ESPN seems to keep flashing the scores of the top 30 groups on a loop and the lack of on-screen graphics by NBC.

Personally I found the ESPN coverage very annoying with all these scores keep scrolling at the top of the screen. I'd have been much happier if it had been a live update in alphabetcial order going thruogh to keep tabs on those I had in my dream team rather than the same old names.

The NBC coverage was much slicker and graphically better and more enjoyable. They gave you the facts and every so often an alphabetical run through of what everyone was doing. Much better and didn't spoil the golf.

What was the media reaction to Tigers round. Were the local, national and international hacks debating on whether he'd even get round. Did they think he had blown it at 13 after going left into trouble?

What is the press angle on Mediate. Is he the small (relatively) time golfer made good. Does he have a puinchers chance of delivering a knockout or is it all Tiger now?

How have you enjoyed the US Open compared to the Masters? Do you think there is more of a "proper" feel to the Open or do you prefer the rarified uniqueness of Augusta

 

[micky]

Very good discussion, keep posting some more article about the same. Advance thanks!
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Micky Brown
Car Auctions