"I don't care they can do whatever they want. I just come her and play and then go home."

Following Sergio Garcia's Masters final round 74, a Golf Channel reporter or producer stuck a microphone in front of the 29-year-old reigning Players PLAYERS champion, who blasted Augusta National and the Masters.

"I don't like it to tell you the truth. I don't think it's fair. It's too tricky. It's too much of a guessing game."

And...

"I don't care, they can do whatever they want. I just come here and play and then go home.

Kraig Kann moderated an ensuing discussion session that epitomized the stellar--dare I say--breakout week for analysts Brandel Chamblee, Frank Nobilo and Dottie Pepper. (Ben Crenshaw was great in his cameo's, John Feinstein bordered on insufferable and Jim Gray indecipherable. Lerner and Sands were in top form as they always are at the majors, while Rosaforte, Hawkins, Micelli and Hoggard covered a nice variety of angles.)

But back to the big three analysts who can be seen in this "final thoughts" video on TGC. Half the time Nobilo made me turn to the TV with a "what the &%^$" scowl, only to have Chamblee give him the old, "uh no Frank."

Which is precisely why it made for such great viewing. 

On the disastrous Sergio moment, Nobilo equated it with Bobby Jones' temper tantrum during his first round at the Old Course and that over time, Sergio may learn to love the place.

Brandel countered quickly that Bobby Jones was 21, Sergio's 29, and "by now he should have matured." Chamblee observed that the "chip on Sergio's shoulder" combined with the New York galleries that taunted him last time will "come to haunt him at Bethpage."

Dottie chimed in with a shrewd observation about Sergio needing to make an effort to visit Augusta at a non-tournament time to better acquaint himself with the course and club.

Back at the studio, Vince Cellini piled on, noting Sergio's "darkness" and "petulance after these major performances."

Kelly Tilghman reminded us of the 2004 Masters 66 spat and the 2007 Open pouting and suggested that "obviously he is struggling with some demons."

To cap it all off, Alex Micelli was brought in and asked about Sergio: "I have two teenage daughters at home and they would deal with this a lot better than the way the petulant, childish Sergio Garcia does."

This isn't your father's Golf Channel!

Just a great week for Golf Channel, headquartered at nearby Augusta CC. Chamblee was particularly strong in dissecting what's wrong with the golf course and stuck to his bold opinions (by TGC and ANGC standards) that the rough and new trees need to go while the ridiculous depth of the bunkers is diminishing some of the risk-reward temptation essential to holes like 1, 5 and 8.

But the entire crew shined and kudos to Golf Channel for spending the money to give hardcore golfers the Masters coverage they deserve.

Comments

[David Stamm]

Geoff, I was just blown away by some of the concise comments that Chamblee was making. His comments were spot on IMHO. His comments about Macknezie and his original design intent made it evident that the man has been doing some reading. And of course, who couldn't listen to Ben forever. Great stuff for an arch fan!



David

[Wisconsin Reader]

I agree with your comments. . . TGC has broken away from the Arnold Palmer "praise the establishment" attitude - when he was an owner. While Augusta National was more than playable this year due to the soft greens, the overall design changes involving tree planting were just wrong!

Chamblee is becoming a star and let's hope that he gets more exposure on a regular basis. Nobilo is not an asset but Pepper and Chamblee easily overcome his silly comments.

[Wayne]

The very comments made about Sergio apply to Tiger. While Sergio's attitude is chastened, Tiger is always the one who "really wants it", "is driven" or some other excuse to pardon the American golf god.

[styled]

Geoff,

Agree. Chamblee-Dottie-Nobilo are quite strong in the roundtable. Frank has a great way about him, easy going but always revealing how players think. Feinstein...yikes...if he didn't learn it sitting in the press tent 15 minutes before, he has NOTHING to contribute. I read one of his golf "books" once and it was truly painful. At one point he made a crack about a golfer -- might have been Norman or Player -- being "modest, too." He meant it insincerely, sarcastically. He is the LEAST modest person who has ever typed on a keypad, and yet he has much to be modest about.

[thusgone]

wayne: i don't agree that tiger says the same things. i think he is much more careful than that.

i do agree with your premise that if tiger said the same things, they'd find a way to make it seem admirable. one interpretation is that, as a guy who has consistently found a way to get it done, tiger's word carries a little more credibility -- even when winging self-pityinlgy-- than sergio's. another is that tiger gets a pass from the media. i suspect there is a bit of truth in both.

[Tighthead]

I liked Tiger's comment about his drive on 17. The wind prevented his ball (which was hooked) from fading into the fairway. If Phil said that, he would be called delusional.

[Tobin Shackelford]

I agree TGC really put their best foot forward as promised. Kudo's to them for the great coverage!

Yes Tiger needs to stop frickin watching the wind! Nike should mount an anemometer to his bag if he keeps this up!

Yes it was a hook! We all make those!

[Shankapotamus]

TGC was great, especially Brandel and Dottie. Except for when they had Feinstein on, that is. What a tool. Now, can TGC just put The Haney Project out of our misery?