Best Sign That The Masses Do Not Enjoy Par Protection Golf

It's fascinating to read year-end reviews touting this year's U.S. Open as 2006's best tournament. While it may have been the most dramatic and unforgettable, Tiger's artful display at Hoylake was a lot more inspirational and uplifting. (And that was before he broke down on 18).

The Nielson numbers said most people did not enjoy watching the train wreck golf brought on by Winged Foot's anti-birdie setup, but we know the USGA will surely blame Tiger's missed cut at Winged Foot for the lowest Saturday since measuring began and the second lowest rated final round since 1994.

Comments

[Michael]

While your point might seem obvious to you and most of your readers, the USGA isn't going to admit that they see it that way. Tiger's missed cut gives them the perfect scapegoat for the low ratings. They remind of the tennis crowd, who claim that it is simple happenstance that the lowered tennis television viewership coincided with technology turning the sport into a power game with the element of finesse removed.

[Hawkeye]

Anyone thinks Tiger's missed cut DIDN'T have an effect on the ratings???

[Michael]

Tiger's missed cut had some influence certainly, but enough to make it the lowest watched Saturday ever? Not likely considering the Mickelson storyline. Have to side with Geoff here; it's not much fun watching defensive golf.

[Hawkeye]

I certainly don't disagree with that.