Should they have stopped play at the 17th?

[MarkT]

Brandel Chamblee had an interesting take after the wind got up at Sawgrass - while most of us like to see the tour pros struggle from time to time he makes a lot of good points?

'They should stop play. The 17th hole is unplayable. On Thursday 4 balls were hit in the water on 17; today the first 4 tee shots found the water there. Very likely the winner of 2022 Players will come from the group who completed their round on Thursday. The worst weather condition are mostly in the Open (87 3rd rnd etc) where one has the option of using the ground and margin for error, no such option or margin exist at the 17th… it is a flip of the coin. The Championship went from a test of skill to largely a matter of chance. It’s entertaining but that shouldn’t be the sole criteria.This tournament went from being entirely a contest of skill to largely a matter of chance, because of one hole, the 17th. This is the worst possible scenario for this hole and by extension this Championship.'

'The 17th hole is a disaster of a hole… and it was shown to be so today. It’s entertaining as hell but so would filling an Olympic swimming pool with sharks and asking Phelps to swim the race of his life. Got about 20 messages from tour pros today and to the man they expressed disdain for the 17th hole… not that they have the deciding opinion, or should have, but they prove your statement to be as wrong as the design of the 17th hole. Redesign the 17th hole… the TPC Sawgrass’ reputation does not depend upon the capricious nature or controversy of the 17th hole anymore than Augusta National’s legend depends upon any one hole. When flaws are exposed they make changes as they should at the TPC Sawgrass.'

 

[fundy]

More Chamblee attention seeking rubbish imho

It was clearly not unplayable. Harder yes, unplayable no

His use of "stats" is utterly laughable too

 

[Deleted member 15344]

It was tough but not unplayable - no need to stop play there

 

[babylonsinger]

Feel a little for those on the wrong side of the draw.

Think play should only be stopped if conditions make it unsafe or the course is waterlogged - neither was the case for me yesterday

 

[fundy]

It was 3 shots harder from that side of the draw, thems the breaks, its an outside sport at the whim of the weather. Has been bigger discrepancies than that in the past at the Open

Next youll tell me Chamlee wants to put 4 walls and a roof on every golf course

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Good to see pros having to tough it out. So often especially on the PGA tour is it warm and the greens are receptive and it's target golf.

 

[Backache]

It's a pity when one side of the draw is very different from another, but that's the nature of the sport on occasions.
You can't stop play because of one hole when everything is already heavily delayed.

Maybe consider a very forward tee for the rare occasions when there is a strong gusty wind.

 

[nickjdavis]

Irrespective of the wind I watched some simply shocking shots that would not have been out of place in our clubs Medal today. I reckon that some wouldn't have found the green even if there had been no wind.

 

[SteveW86]

Don’t be ridiculous. They are supposed to be the best players in the world, step up to the challenge.

 

[IanM]

No.

Play the course as you find it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Irrespective of the wind I watched some simply shocking shots that would not have been out of place in our clubs Medal today. I reckon that some wouldn't have found the green even if there had been no wind.

Some of the misses to 17 especially yesterday were horrendous and had you can't argue the wind had that much effect. A top player shouldn't be missing a target like that from that distance but such a wide margin

 

[rulefan]

It's only 137 yards FFS

 

[Bazzatron]

Stop play? It was the best part of the weekend watching them dunk it.

 

[Foxholer]

A slight redesign/addition seems a better idea to me.
A different drop zone that takes out the shot across the water could be the answer, only being used when conditions are likely to warrant it.
It's the fact that the round was spread over 2 days that has made it 'unfair'.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Welcome to the real world

Yes it was tough, step up and adapt, you are the best in the world, accept it and play

 

[Bratty]

Control the backspin on the balls and you might find yourselves having more success.
Chamblee essentially stirs the pot every time, and I doubt he always believes some of the *** he spouts anyway. Tool.

 

[Imurg]

I think it was close.....if all but a very small handful were able to get on then there may have been a case.
It, obviously, wasn't unplayable as quite a few made the green..
Tough break for those on the wrong side of the luck but that's golf...
Didn't JT and Bubba go round bogey-free?

 

[Wabinez]

Chamblee is an absolute tool.

if the best players in the world can’t flight down a club to go 135 yards - then then world has gone mad.

the conditions made the players uncomfortable. Good. Those that could, can execute.

it’s just a shame they don’t face the same challenge week in, week out

 

[Boomy]

Welcome to the real world

Yes it was tough, step up and adapt, you are the best in the world, accept it and play

100% this ??

Harry Higgs with be having a sob on the NLU podcast again no doubt.. blaming the wind/greens/rough/rain/bunkers/water and anything else he can other than himself.

 

[SammmeBee]

No