Tiger-Phil Pairing Set For Sunday To Help Nation Recover From Annual Saturday Pro-Am Debacle

As longtime readers know, my medical team has strictly forbidden me from watching the Saturday CBS telecast from the AT&T National Pro-Am for fear that I may break out in hives at the fifteenth blatant ass smooching of a CEO who also might buy ad time on the network (hello friend, Cindy Davis!).  And especially when my beloved Shackleford is running at Gulfstream (sixth, after a layoff).

But based on a Tweets, I see the six-hour and twenty-minute round featured more than the usual sucking up to CEO's mixed with the not-so-hilarious antics of Ray Romano and Bill Murray.

Mercifully, there's a golf tournament shaping up for Sunday to help the victims of Saturday's carnage regain some faith in the game's ability to entertain.

Here's Steve Elling on Tiger's round, and Bob Harig on the Phil-Tiger pairing.

The PGA Tour's highlights from Saturday include a pretty swell hole-out from Steven Bowditch, a remarkable achievement considering he had to carry Ray Romano for three days.

Comments

[TLB]

You nailed it! Andy Garcia and George Lopez were just as awful too - even drinking from a flask on camera while being interviewed. TLB

[Keith86]

Meanwhile 6 way play-off in the women's Australian open all 6 pared the 18th and are back on the tee.

[Tiger M Tiger]

Tiger Did Tiger you Tiger know Tiger that Tiger there Tiger was Tiger a Tiger double Tiger eagle Tiger on Tiger Saturday Tiger?

Tiger And Tiger Charlie Tiger Wi Tiger leads Tiger by Tiger 3 Tiger.

[LeeWatson]

Boy, I can't get enough of that George Lopez,

-No one

[Media driven]

I don't think they ever bothered with Charlie Wi on the other course; GC had coverage from other courses for Tiger. To just ignore the leader on Saturday seems a little archaic.

[rb]

"To just ignore the leader on Saturday seems a little archaic. "

It's all about the TV ratings that don't matter.

[Goose]

@Media Driven

That's incorrect. There was little live coverage of Tiger from Spyglass. You get no points for hyperbole.

[Kevin]

I dare say that may have been an all-time low for televised golf. Give me a Nationwide event from Nebraska over what we saw Saturday. As usual the views were stunning but the whole celebrity thing is played out. I was actually embarrassed for Nantz and Faldo stationed in their on-course hut. It was PAINFUL to watch.

[Bored]

The instructive part of Saturday is always how pathetic these actors are without someone writing their lines and directing their every move.

Why no mention of the pro's playing with these clowns?

CBS needs a Tim Rosaforte - someone who actually knows something about the players not named Eldrick or Phil.

[Just give me an audience]

I love it when they say Kenny G or some other show bidness person has a one handicap then they chili dip it. Boomer looks like he needs a walker to get around the golf course.

[john]

I would pay for a simultaneous golf shots by pros only streaming option. The means should be there. One day maybe.

[Dsl]

John - weirdos like me are still pining for a Tiger only 'mic'd up' feed. Cut alls the fluff, saves broadcasting costs during non-tiger events, avoids uncomfortable situations like '[not Tiger] is the runaway leader and if we show him we're dead to viewers.', or 'Sponsor X has to cut a 700k cheque to [random blue shirt with black pants and hat]' and they need ratings or they'll never make this mistake again....

[Kevin]

After watching yesterday I'm starting to think Jerry Foutz with Golf Channel is perhaps a genious after his experiment last year of having a silent telecast. JGMAA-right on with the handicap call, if Kenny G is a scratch golfer I should be a lock to qualify for the Tour next year. Are their egos so big that they think we are fooled by the leg sway putting motion and 30 yard slice with a hybrid from 160 out. Classic.

[Kevin]

Sorry, Jerry Foltz, not Foutz.

[Goose]

@Just:

Agreed. Although I didn't like his swing, I was pretty impressed with Romo's shortgame. However, Kenny G, Garcia, Huey Lewis, and 99% of the rest have swings that I would not choose to emulate

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

Handicaps reported primarily at short, flat courses in the Coachella Valley probably don't travel well?

[highside]

Tiger Woods could beat Kenny G left handed, on his knees, blindfolded, with Tony Romo on his back, to the tune of David Feherty blathering about his love for America...

[Gunker Bob]

TiVo sales skyrocket the week before the AT&T so viewers can fast-forward through the ass-kissing, inept amateurs and commercials. Fortunately, there's nothing left but the scenery and it's KILLER!

Nice job CBS. Viewers found out who's leading the tournament by reading the newspaper.

[ChampagneTonyLives]

Drinking from a flask?!? That's shameful.

[Del the Funk]

You know I think they are cutting a fresh cup each of the first 3 days, just very close to where is was the day before. Look at Phil's putt going in at 1:10 of that video, isn't that an old cup hole just to the left?

This telecast really is brutal to watch. Have to keep the finger poised on the mute button.

[No Longer Used to be Former S&T Convert]

I watched for about 30 minutes, easily my worst decision of the weekend.

[Kevin]

Former S&T

That means you missed Tom Dreeson hit some amazing shots. Don't you feel bad you turned it off now?