"Perhaps Shimabukuro ought to be playing taps, because this event is drowning in a sea of indifference"

Steve Elling looks at the demise of the Mercedes Championship and comes to the conclusion that all of the things that should be great about it do no work in the current scheme of things. I particularly liked this point, which never seems to be fully understood in Ponte Vedra or with sponsors:

The low-key Hawaiian vibe, which once seemed to work in favor of the tournament because it felt so novel, has become a cultural setback. The Mercedes event draws a remarkably sparse crowd, which hardly engenders excitement across the viewing spectrum. Indifference among the top players and local residents hardly affirms that it's a top-tier event if you are a guy flipping channels.