posted Nov 19, 2007

It has become a meaningless event

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posted Nov 20, 2007

I fancy the Hansen's for Denmark to do very well. And the Thai pair as a good longhot

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posted Nov 20, 2007

I am a lifelong golfer and avid golf fan, i see no reason why we cant abandon the pathetic seve trophy and boring presidents cup and replace it with a true world cup held every two years, hosted by the different tours alternately. Teams of 6, no prize money, 24 nations, 8 groups of 3 ensuring every nation plays for at least 2 days, the team with the lowest combined score wins each match, and so on to the last 8, semis and final. All over in a week, unlike the marathons that were the Rugby and Cricket "World" Cups. Golf is played in enough countries worldwide and nations such as Japan, Korea, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Canada, England, France and Spain would have a real chance of taking the USA to the cleaners.

And, it would be on the BBC, just like all of the big events used to be.

What does anyone else think?

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posted Nov 23, 2007

We are actually probably at the beginning of a real transition period for world golf. The US Tour is chugging along nicely with Tiger as its lead man and a fairly big pot of jam to spread out over the course of its season - and then of course it hosts 3 of 4 Majors along with the unofficial fifth in The Players, and of course it has snaffled back the WGC events.

Fast forward 10 years though as to where things could go though.....(imagine increasingly blurry wavy images along with a rolling harp riff). The European Tour is no more and it is The World Tour. Golf in China and other parts of the world has taken off - probably because of its status as a prestige game and effectively the sport of businessmen. The increasingly wealthy Chinese and Indian along with the already petro-dollar rich arab golfing nation (at least) economies are now able to throw up big money tournaments to match the US. More than that they are developing their own home grown stars to compete on the World stage but their own national pride takes affront at the US domination of the big tournaments so rival tournaments emerge - even to compete with the established Majors. They can't replace the history of the Open or the lustre of the Masters but the US PGA and even the status and brutality of the US Open could be chipped away at. The Chinese Tiger is also not being headed off by the American Tiger. He's over 40 and he's surpassed Jack Nicklaus' achievements. His priorities now take a different turn. So there's no Finchem, no Tiger and there's money to be made right around the world playing golf.

Being a world game the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and the other newly developed imitation tournaments are scratching their heads at maybe arriving at how best they can get international head to head tournaments going.

Just some thoughts on how it may well play out....of course a big challenge in all of this is keeping it meaningful. Having 6 or 8 Majors could well undermine the status of 'Major Champion' as could (as we're seeing now) having too many 'meaningless' tournaments and too many tournaments and not enough time or year round seasons again.... But it will get worse before it gets better because it will be driven by business money and TV money.

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posted Nov 24, 2007

It's hotting up in China, where a 24th win for America, would be seen by many as an upset in this field.

3 shots seperate 8 Countries.
France, Scotland, England & South Africa are all in the mix with Germany, Argentina & Holland.

Will 2007 be the year for Team Golf in America or will the pressure finally get to the American duo.

Walker Cup
Solheim Cup
Presidents Cup
World Cup ?

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posted Nov 24, 2007

Uberman - I'm sure it will not get worse for the professional golfers. Opportunities have never been better and purses have never been larger. And, as a fan, you can pretty much watch competitive professional golf year round. Personally, golf for me ends with the PGA or the Ryder Cup (in the Ryder Cup year). Then it's the silly season until Augusta.

England should be the clear favorites to win this event in China. But, the best don't always win so it could be a US upset. I just heard that they asked 13 other players before they got to Slocum and Weekly. I'm sure, too, they didn't even bother asking the likes of Tiger or Furyk or Mickelson. Can't help but think Monty and his team will make a charge yet.

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posted Nov 24, 2007

Shotrock, well Boo and Heath are still up top after 3 rounds. If they win does that mean that our 'merrican friends could hold a view, bearing in mind it would be their 24th victory, that they could send any old golfers to wipe the floor with all comers?

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posted Nov 25, 2007

A terrific win for Scotland, for what has been a difficult year for Scottish golf! Maybe we will see a Monty revival and a new force in Warren next year!

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posted Nov 25, 2007

Well done Scotland

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posted Nov 25, 2007

Inspiration!

Monty & Warren, World Cup winners.

I don't see how Nick Faldo can have a Ryder Cup team without these two players.

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