"Phoenix Open will have odd Monday finish"
/Jim Moriarty explains why the Waste Management Open will play during the Super Bowl and finish with just a few holes left for the leaders on Monday morning. Because the forecast for Monday is good, tour regulations stipulate that shortening to 54 holes, with a traditional Sunday ending prior to the big game, is not an option..
"In a perfect world, we'll probably finish Monday, four or five holes," said Slugger White, the Tour's vice-president of Rules and Competitions and the on-site tournament director. "It's unbelievable how frozen these greens get and they just don't thaw out."
When asked why they wouldn't just conclude the third round Sunday and then play the entire fourth round Monday, White said, "I think everybody would kind of like to get out of here. That's what we're trying to do. Guys trying to get to Pebble or trying to get everywhere. I wouldn't want to burn two hours of daylight or whatever."
You can read all of Slugger's comments here. Note that he mentions having put the 54-hole option on the table before having to obey tour regulations.
Paul Mahoney notes the irony of Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey taking the lead.
I won't go on again as I did last year when I covered this event, but walking around today was just another reminder of what an incredible operation and tournament the Waste Management Open is. Massive crowds despite the cold, and all having so much fun. Sure there are a few drunks, but for the most part the loud-types are out enjoying the golf, placing some fun $1 side wagers and there to be part of what is ultimately a social event. The Waste Management Open really should be the model for all PGA Tour events in terms of energy, volunteer efficiency and fan experience.
Q. So you're not going to make up a lot of money on Monday?
MIKE McQUAID: No, we don't anticipate it. It would be our gift back to the great community and the fans that we have. It's going to be a beautiful weekend, but certainly the week started off frustrating. It would be a free gift from the Thunderbirds and Waste Management to come out and watch the end of the final round.
Q. It's just going to be too cold Sunday morning to get going after 36 possibly?
MIKE McQUAID: Well, I think the issue is it's not so much Sunday morning. We probably may have a frost delay on Sunday morning. It's more tomorrow morning. You would have to really be able to tee off and get the players out first thing tomorrow morning, 7:30-ish, and there's going to be another frost delay, freeze tomorrow, probably an hour or two, so we just can't get enough golf in on Saturday really.
Q. I'm sorry if you already answered this, but was 54 holes an option, shortening the event?
MIKE McQUAID: That was discussed. That's a TOUR decision, and that was discussed, but my understanding is they'd prefer to play 72 holes, let the players, I guess, crown a champion based on 72 holes, which is the right thing to do. Certainly we have heard that they don't do 54-hole tournaments unless they see some type of weather pattern coming in Monday and Tuesday that would hinder the ability to play on Monday or Tuesday.
