Mexico City Putting Much-Needed "World" In WGC
/As "tumbleweeds" rolled across the Blue Monster during Greg Cote's Wednesday visit for the Miami Herald--not literally but figurately--the WGC that left Miami after 55 years is off to a good start, writes Alan Shipnuck for golf.com.
In spite of the high-profile food poisoning cases involving Rory McIlroy (-2) and Henrik Stenson (WD), Shipnuck explains how event organizers are showing signs of positioning the tournament for a long run.
These kind of cross-cultural exchanges are the whole point of taking a World Golf Championship out into the world. "It's important to the brand of the PGA Tour," says Casey. "There are so many fantastic events in the U.S., but it's almost to the point of saturation. PGA Tour members get a bad rap that they don't like to travel but plenty of us do. It'd be a shame to miss out on a week like this. Mexico City is damn cool and so is this event. It has a different flavor, just a nice feel to it. And it's still in its infancy. It's going to be fun watching this tournament grow up."
The PGA Tour's first round highlights, including a nifty hole-out by Justin Thomas. Altitude hasn't led to any 500 yard drives or even 400 yards yet. There were 39 over 350 yards in round one, notes Rex Hoggard. And Phil Mickelson is enjoying the altitude's influence.
**On the flip side, MorningRead.com's Gary Van Sickle recounts the past of Ricardo Salinas and reminds us how Commissioner PriceWaterhouse spun the deal last year:
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem was sailing along smoothly in a news conference at Doral last year when he announced the new sponsor and move to Mexico City until I asked a question about Salinas and his SEC troubles. Heads turned in the room, but an unflustered Finchem, who retired at the end of the season, said the Tour had researched Salinas and was aware of the case, adding, “Given the facts, it should not be something that would preclude us to do this particular transaction.”
What are the facts? Salinas knowingly violated SEC rules for his own gain and paid a relatively petty fine rather than risk a courtroom conviction. If former inside traders Ivan Boesky and Michael Milken sponsored a marquee PGA Tour event, wouldn’t that be fairly controversial? Well, the feel-good vibe about taking the WGC event to the poor people of Mexico has eliminated any talk about Salinas.
