2011 Waste Management Sunday Play Open Thread

It's the third round, maybe some fourth round and if we're lucky the last day of play. But the way the week has gone and as cold as it is outside, I wouldn't count on a Sunday finish. Even if they do, most of you will be watching the glory that is the Super Bowl. But if you feel compelled to comment on the golf...

"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.

Update on 2011-02-05 05:57 by Geoff

**Mike McQuaid, WMO Chairman, clarifies that it's not the tournament's call to go to Monday nor is it a money-making situation to have a Monday finish.

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.

Golf World Redesign Chatter

Golf World's Geoff Russell responds to reader complaints about eliminating the scores and stats for more New Yorker style commentary from hacks like me. Any subscribers here care to weigh in?

"Online Soapbox"

Golf Digest features their "risk takers" of golf and yes, in a moment of synergistic harmony that will have you muttering conspiracy theories, includes yours truly. If it's any consolation, when Ron Whitten called to interview me he had no idea about a possible partnership between my site and GolfDigest.com.

Thanks to reader Tim for sending the link.

"Greenkeepers should also cut two holes on half of the greens, especially in club competitions. The golfer could play to the one nearest the place the ball finishes."

Lorne Rubenstein doesn't sound too enthused about Mark King's suggestion to re-write the rules of golf and offers his own sarcastic rebuttal that sounds eerily similar to the serious proposal from the Flogton folks.

Thanks to reader John for a long overdue link to a Rubenstein column!

Amateurs who cannot prove they can carry the ball 175 yards should be forced to play courses no longer than 5,000 yards. All amateurs should be allowed to carry as many clubs as they want. If they want to drive a cart alone with two bags full of clubs, the rules should enable that. Just think what that would do for the equipment industry.

The amateur golfer should be allowed 10 do-overs a round. Moreover, the amateur who does not break 100 at least once every 10 rounds should be allowed to try every shot twice. Why should golf be so onerous, when even a pro baseball player gets three strikes before he’s outta there.

Then there’s sand. Amateurs hate sand, even with 60-degree wedges, a club that helps Phil Mickelson, not Phil Flail. An amateur should be allowed three toss-outs a round. The rules must allow no more than one shot in a bunker. Should the golfer not get out on the first try, the rules must compel a throw toward the hole. Underhand, sidearm or overhand would be allowed.

Meanwhile, consider the dimensions of the hole. There’s no reason, other than hundreds of years of history, that the hole should be so small. Double the size, at least. Make it square. Greenkeepers should also cut two holes on half of the greens, especially in club competitions. The golfer could play to the one nearest the place the ball finishes.