WGC Dell Technologies Matchplay 2021

[the bishop]

6 minutes ago, Greg_B said:

I think we have been negligent in not offering a tip of the hat to Horschel and Scheffler for taking the match all the way to the end, keeping NBC from having to fill 90 minutes of dead airtime with "The Best of Feherty" or a long-form retrospective on the "Better Than Most" call.

That Sunday at this event is a looooong day of golf, at the end of a long week of golf.  It's not surprising to me that come the final guys are a bit gassed.  I would personally like it better if they figured out a way so that Sunday is the final and consolation match only.  The semifinals, where some of the more compelling golf gets played is stranded on Golf Channel where it won't be seen by many.

[bladehunter]

So I just tried to finish the recording of the final match and the dang thing cut off at hole 15 tee.   I have no idea why ?   I’m assume billy won ?  Did either ever make a birdie putt ?  Can’t believe they got to 15 holes with nobody making a birdie putt.    Glad I decided to service the tractor to get a head start on today vs watching that.  

[MattyO1984]

1 hour ago, bladehunter said:

So I just tried to finish the recording of the final match and the dang thing cut off at hole 15 tee.   I have no idea why ?   I’m assume billy won ?  Did either ever make a birdie putt ?  Can’t believe they got to 15 holes with nobody making a birdie putt.    Glad I decided to service the tractor to get a head start on today vs watching that.  

 

You put the day to much better use that is for sure! I had the thrill of this and watching Scotland draw with Israel at football to (not) entertain me last night. On the plus side, when I woke up from a nap, I didn’t have a crick in my neck when I woke up on the couch!

Edited March 29, 2021 by MattyO1984

[bscinstnct]

1 hour ago, Greg_B said:

 

I tried to like sushi, but I always found it undercooked.

Try the freshwater eel (unagi). Is steamed and grilled, delicious.

 

Chefs need special training to make it cause if is not made right, is poisonous!

 

 

Edited March 29, 2021 by bscinstnct

[smashdn]

Article this morning in Golfweek lamenting "cinderella" players in the finals of the match play > https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/03/28/19th-hole-match-play-wgc-dell-billy-horschel-scottie-scheffler/ .

 

Doesn't sit well with me.  But neither does the pool play format.  I don't know how you "fix" it so more of the more popular golfers end up in the finals and semis other than to tell them to play better.  I don't think that I want to.

 

I don't think most here would be really surprised that Horschell or Scheffler would contend in a stroke play event, why be flummoxed when it occurs in a matchplay?

Edited March 29, 2021 by smashdn

[SwooshLT]

2 hours ago, bladehunter said:

So I just tried to finish the recording of the final match and the dang thing cut off at hole 15 tee.   I have no idea why ?   I’m assume billy won ?  Did either ever make a birdie putt ?  Can’t believe they got to 15 holes with nobody making a birdie putt.    Glad I decided to service the tractor to get a head start on today vs watching that.  

 

I watched the final round of the Corales event......much better and exactly why matchplay isn't made for TV ! 

[SwooshLT]

57 minutes ago, smashdn said:

Article this morning in Golfweek lamenting "cinderella" players in the finals of the match play > https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/03/28/19th-hole-match-play-wgc-dell-billy-horschel-scottie-scheffler/ .

 

Doesn't sit will with me.  But neither does the pool play format.  I don't know how you "fix" it so more of the more popular golfers end up in the finals and semis other than to tell them to play better.  I don't think that I want to.

 

I don't think most here would be really surprised that Horschell or Scheffler would contend in a stroke play event, why be flummoxed when it occurs in a matchplay?

 

 

I said this earlier......seedings mean nothing at this level......18 holes of matchplay for tour level pros ; ANYONE can win and it happens all the time......you'd might as well do a blind draw out of a hat to get matches than worry about owgr standings .....only ONE of the top 20 seeds advanced to the round of 16...... stroke play determines who's a better golfer....... let's see the results if you play 18 holes stroke play , no gimmes ....... I'd be curious to see how that shakes out!

[adeangelis]

11 minutes ago, SwooshLT said:

 

I watched the final round of the Corales event......much better and exactly why matchplay isn't made for TV ! 

The Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup are always fun

[SwooshLT]

6 minutes ago, adeangelis said:

The Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup are always fun

 

If they aren't placed on the list of being important,  sure......in the grand scheme they really aren't 🙄

[80sFredriksson]

I think going back to single elimination or doing 36 hole stroke and top 16 advances are both preferable to what we have now. 

[kasting333]

4 minutes ago, 80sFredriksson said:

I think going back to single elimination or doing 36 hole stroke and top 16 advances are both preferable to what we have now. 

Horserace playoff for the final 4. Get it over with. 
 

The first part of the week is great but single elimination would probably be better. 

[ThinkingPlus]

6 minutes ago, 80sFredriksson said:

I think going back to single elimination or doing 36 hole stroke and top 16 advances are both preferable to what we have now. 

36 hole stroke play + 16 match provides an extra day so last day could be single matches.  Also they could do a full consolation bracket.  That would allow a better determination of placement and more matches over the weekend.  The players who make the "cut" would also get a full 72 holes of play minimum so they get their money's worth. 😉

[MattyO1984]

This will never happen because and I am sure there will be plenty of think I am speaking absolute nonsense but once they get to the semi final stage, where there is only two matches on course, get them into carts.

 

Less down time between shots and if the Tour or TV is worried about losing out on sponsor money from adverts, get logos plastered all over the carts.

[smashdn]

9 minutes ago, ThinkingPlus said:

36 hole stroke play + 16 match provides an extra day so last day could be single matches.  Also they could do a full consolation bracket.  That would allow a better determination of placement and more matches over the weekend.  The players who make the "cut" would also get a full 72 holes of play minimum so they get their money's worth. 😉

Is the winky face an indication of sarcasm?  I doubt any of those guys who play for a living care whether they play 36 holes, 54 holes or all 72 if the pay (for them) is the same.

 

36 for seeding and then byes might be interesting.  Especially if there is the possibility of two matches on saturday or sunday.  The by might make a difference if you are physically gassed.

[smashdn]

10 minutes ago, MattyO1984 said:

This will never happen because and I am sure there will be plenty of think I am speaking absolute nonsense but once they get to the semi final stage, where there is only two matches on course, get them into carts.

 

Less down time between shots and if the Tour or TV is worried about losing out on sponsor money from adverts, get logos plastered all over the carts.

 

NAScarts

 

Mich Ultra, Edward Jones, Cialis and of course FedEx.

[KRAMER1997]

Single elimination was way better. Always fun seeing upsets on day 1. This course boring AF . Harding Park in 2015 was awesome, move the event back to San Fran. Switch this event with the other WGC and move that one permanently to Concession. That way this will be at the end of the West Coast swing. 

Edited March 29, 2021 by KRAMER1997

[MattyO1984]

19 minutes ago, smashdn said:

 

NAScarts

 

Mich Ultra, Edward Jones, Cialis and of course FedEx.

 

Honestly, I think that this idea could have wheels 😉 

[Pete O'Tube]

16 hours ago, gvogel said:

To be fair, it was quite windy this morning and that would tire out anyone.  Also, the course is quite hilly, and so it is a test of stamina.

That doesn't excuse 4 hours+ for a two man matchplay.

[getair23]

Make the Honda the match play event.  PGA Champ course would be a much better challenge and more dramatic.  You might also get more big names to show up vs. this years Honda field.  Most of who live within 10 miles of the place.  

[bladehunter]

2 hours ago, adeangelis said:

The Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup are always fun

They are fun because it’s a team format snd no elimination.  Top dogs lose today and fight again tomorrow.  Little guys get points etc. and it’s not all pure singles match play. Just not really apples to apples. 

[TiScape]

2 hours ago, 80sFredriksson said:

I think going back to single elimination or doing 36 hole stroke and top 16 advances are both preferable to what we have now. 

I like going back to the single elimination as well. One and done like March madness. I don’t watch college basketball all year but watch the tournament. They did away from the SE to keep more top players in the mix and look at the final 4 we got! Also the current form has guys that are already out of it playing in matches. Na  kicking a**, what a shot! Oh, he’s already out even if he wins??? That’s riveting television! Not 

[ThinkingPlus]

2 hours ago, smashdn said:

Is the winky face an indication of sarcasm?  I doubt any of those guys who play for a living care whether they play 36 holes, 54 holes or all 72 if the pay (for them) is the same.

 

36 for seeding and then byes might be interesting.  Especially if there is the possibility of two matches on saturday or sunday.  The by might make a difference if you are physically gassed.

Yes.  I was making fun of the idea that the pros would feel like they didn't get good value for their tournament experience.

 

It is somewhat common for low level amateur match play events where the players pay for the opportunity to participate, to guarantee a minimum number of rounds of golf.  This keeps everyone somewhat happy even if they lose.

[woodriff]

On 3/26/2021 at 2:01 PM, KennyP said:

 

Absolutely agree. While Na may be technically in the right, making DJ tramp back to the green was unnecessary. A quiet word on the next tee would be more appropriate.

This ^^^^ .. a quiet word on the next tee. I was in a championship flight one time and was tamping down spike marks. I didn’t know I was doing it. My opponent mentioned it to me. 

[Ignatius Reilly]

On 3/26/2021 at 4:05 PM, ColoradoMike said:

Oh yes, very "sportsmanlike". I'm sure him playing out of turn on a kick in really affected Na's next putt, especially since he was already eliminated. Replay a 6 inch putt? Give me a break. Let me guess, you're the guy that putts out a 2 incher playing with the wife on Sunday...

What if he'd done it in a regular stroke play tournament?

 

Would that be any different? 

 

"Protecting the field" can't apply as we've already established DJ would never miss a 6 inch putt.

 

I think Na was more or less in shock at seeing a pro make a flagrant violation of the rules and just assuming Na would go along with it.  Hard to know what he should do.

 

Also..... they weren't playing with the wife on Sunday.  It's a pro event.

 

Who knows, maybe we'll see pros starting to pick up in more events now that a precedent has been established....  why not?

[bladehunter]

I like Na.  But.  It’s funny that he chastised DJ for breaking a rule and he himself broke one by conceding the putt after he yanked it back.  Or maybe more accurately, he just didn’t know that he didn’t have the power to concede it after the fact.  He’d have been smarter to keep quiet and then privately mention it.  

[Poor Posture]

Harmen vs Streelman would have been a dandy, lol

[miamistomp]

6 hours ago, bscinstnct said:

Try the freshwater eel (unagi). Is steamed and grilled, delicious.

 

Chefs need special training to make it cause if is not made right, is poisonous!

 

 

 Watch Billy Ho or eat Fugu-both have a 60% chance of bad outcome later

[ColoradoMike]

1 hour ago, Ignatius Reilly said:

What if he'd done it in a regular stroke play tournament?

 

Would that be any different? 

 

"Protecting the field" can't apply as we've already established DJ would never miss a 6 inch putt.

 

I think Na was more or less in shock at seeing a pro make a flagrant violation of the rules and just assuming Na would go along with it.  Hard to know what he should do.

 

Also..... they weren't playing with the wife on Sunday.  It's a pro event.

 

Who knows, maybe we'll see pros starting to pick up in more events now that a precedent has been established....  why not?

Yeah, it would be different in stoke play, because there are no concessions and we all know that. In match play the concession is just a formality really, but DJ took the liberty, bad on him. Did he gain an advantage by doing so?  Did you see a single 6 inch putt not conceded last week? Yeah, Na had the right to call him out and did, but then conceded the hole. So all that drama for a putt he was willing to concede anyway. Seemed unnecessary to me, but that's just my opinion. 

[thecraw]

What an utterly dreadful advert for golf. Two tortoise golfers who should both have been put on the clock on almost every hole. No wonder golf is dying with that as an advert, time the authorities started to grow a pair and tackle this issue. 

 

It was that bad I even switched over to watch Scotland play football (soccer)!!!!

 

[PuttCurseRepeat]

Though I don't have a problem with Na's intentions, he did not handle the situation very well. He made a spectacle out of chastising his opponent for a rules violation while committing one of his own. A discreet word with DJ after both teed off on the next hole would have been the right move.

 

Know your shot before you take it.

 

46 minutes ago, thecraw said:

What an utterly dreadful advert for golf. Two tortoise golfers who should both have been put on the clock on almost every hole. No wonder golf is dying with that as an advert, time the authorities started to grow a pair and tackle this issue. 

 

 

Golf is dying? 😯