Keegan Says He Continues To Be Called A Cheater
Steve DiMeglio has a rundown of the player comments from Bear Trap National where Rory McIlroy (kind of) stuck to his guns in support of the anchoring ban.
But Keegan Bradley took the rhetoric up a notch by claiming he continues to be heckled as a cheater by media and fans.
" … I'm being called a cheater more than ever by fans, by some writers — none of your guys — and it's really tough. A lot of it's on Twitter, which is ridiculous, anyways, I know. I do read it and I shouldn't. I can't imagine how people can say that to me or to anybody out here. It's been really difficult, and I'm sick of it to be honest. I'm ready to be over it. I realize that this is going to be an issue now for the next couple years, at least. I hope the USGA thought about us players before they did this, because it's been really difficult on me and I know it's been really difficult on some other players, too."
Bradley also called the situation a mess and that it's going "to be a mess."
You may recall that Bradley heard someone call him a cheater for using the anchoring method during last December's World Challenge at Sherwood, and received an apology from the USGA. No one else, including Bradley's caddie, heard the taunt.
Geoff
**You'll be shocked to know that the online clip of Rory's presser--with the creepiest lighting/stagecraft ever seen for a golf media conference--does not include his endorsement of the anchoring ban.
Reader Comments (49)
Over/under for references over the weekend? 40?
I correct myself - you have done two things - being both annoying and agonizingly slow.
Learn to putt, and to play without the stutter stepping, and then go do something before you open your mouth again.
By his "next couple years" comment it also looks like he will continue to anchor up until the deadline. Milk things as long as possible, crybaby.
He ought to be damn thankful the USGA let this go on as long as it did. Otherwise, he most likely would not have a PGA on the resume.
Lots of dweebs have won majors. So what? Keegan is alright, I don't have a problem with him, but really there are some big problems in the world, and his issue with being called names is....well....pretty small.
Also, lets be clear, the PGA tour is not considering ignoring the USGA / RNA ban on long anchored putting because they don't think it's cheating, but because they think it'll be bad for business. I can't say I disagree, or that I have any answers to the problem, but in my mind, anchoring a stroke against the body to make it a little more fool-proof is at least against the spirit of the game, if not outright cheating. Really tho, who cares? lets all play more golf!
How about a compromise. Keep the anchoring, but limit rounds to 3:30 and/or 30 seconds to hit the ball. Anything over adds penalty strokes. Would Keegan choose to continue anchoring or speed up his unbelievably slow routine? If they want to use "growing the game" or "keeping people in the game" then they should shift their focus to pace of play as that is the primary cause (and secondary in terms of $$$ to play due to slow play) if they are really concerned about it.
If winning a Major was the credential one needs to share an opinion here - then likely Mr. S wouldn't need a Comment feature on his blog.
In the long history of golf, Keegs is not yet even a footnote. He has some potential, but has some very annoying habits that include multiple hesitations before executing a shot.. Whining about the rules in public is also one of those annoyances. In my opinion.
Feel free to have a different take.
PS...I will be using my Ping Anser 3, 35", 510 gram standard putter with stock Ping pistol paddle putter grip. I know, boring, old-school and out-of-touch.
Talk about old-school and out of touch ;-)
And his odd habits are far less annoying than the moron yelling Mashed potatoes or Get in the hole. I can choose to not watch his shots in a tournament, I can't escape the Mashed potatoes.
That is a great question. I'm not sure I could answer that in a month of deep thought (assuming I was capable of that). My first reaction would be that winning a Major would be but one of many elements that take a player from noteworthy to historic.
Do you think it would include accomplishments outside of PGA Tour golf - i.e. a US Amateur, NCAA Championship, etc.?
Or possibly a distinguished career in course architecture?
Or a contribution as a good role model to mankind?
Or a long positive contribution to the game?
Or some combination of all these items?
But what a great question.
no way...we are "eighty percenters!"
Shouldn't be labeled cheater since he won by the (existing) rules.
Should have thick enough skin to shrug off pathetic individuals calling him cheater. He's no cheater. They are losers.
He shouldn't talk about it, will only make it worse.
1. PGA Tour and PGA are protecting their economic interests which everybody should expect. That is their job.
2..USGA does not have a direct economic stake. They make the rules and should continue to do so. You are a cheater if you break the rules and Keegan has not broken any rules.
3. There are a lot of mean, nasty people many of them post on this site. Give the guy a break.
4. PGA tour will eventually play by whatever rule USGA issues because if they don't the perception will be that they condone cheating.
ding, ding...we have a winner!
So yes, well I play, and I have risen well above footnote level, as a matter of fact, I go all the way to 11(ELEVEN!), which is one(1) more than 10. So that is one (1).
I was one of the first to call Keegan out, not a cheater, but as one with criminal, shifty eyes, way back a long time ago, assome may recall.
For ''really'' to say this site is becoming ''one sided'' really iss (German for is) not borne out by base math... all 4 sides are represented very well in the anchoring issue.
And ''tgar'', you say,''...a lot of mean, nasty people many of them post on this site...'' This has been a recent phenominum (sp) It too shall pass.
I would just like to make it clear for the record that I have never, ever, ever been a fan, or even wanted to say his name ofK.Bradley, and he almost ruined my love of the cowbell, one of my favorite percussion instruments, of which I own 3.
Ke is annoying, and I have a feeling hat the putter of his choosing will not make any difference.
Yes, he won a major, or did he?!?!?!?!?!? What would Jason Duffner Say? :) (he won it ,settle down)
Rory McIlroy said: " … (the USGA and R&A) might change their minds and rethink it. And if they do that, then that's totally fine with me."
Doesn't sound the least bit opposed to me.
1 I am seeing how good a PI I am...does your last name begin with an ''M'' ? No particular reason- I am not a staker- I just want to see if my powers of observation are at least so-so.
2 If your representation is correct, wow you have a big nose.
Here is my former smiley thingy deal I did, but a lot of people could not figure out the baseball cap....... d:{>
CRAZY!?!?!?! I may not be normal, but nobody is.....
You've told me before that I have a big nose ;-) Yes, crazy, in its most endearing form!
Your mean spirited bias is showing.
if the anchor isn't a benefit just take the next year and get accustomed to the regular method and be done with it. usga doesnt need proof that anchor is benefit if they are defining the stroke. they also don't want to see croquet style putting or laying on ground putting billiards style. its not the way they want golf played, and the anchor is no different. ban it and lets move on, because all the proponents of the anchor method clearly state the method is of no benefit, so they shouldn't have any problem switching.