Playoff
2008 May 12
I disagree with the PGA Tour’s decision to start the playoff yesterday on the 17th hole. The 17th hole is a unique hole, but it is too fickle to start with. Goydos made a good swing, but when the wind switched the playoff was effectively over as long as Garcia got it on the green. I think they should either start on 18 or 16 and use all the last three holes. Starting on 17 puts too much emphasis on luck at that point.
What do you think?
I feel differently. Starting on 18 would have giving a longer hitter a distinct advantage under the conditions. Starting on 17 is not only the signature hole, but the one best gut-check on the course and equally accessible by any measure you choose. Wedge or nine, it is essentially the same swing for every player on the tour. The gust that ballooned Goydos’s tee ball could just have easily carried Sergio’s too far. When has luck not been a part of the game? Look at where Trevor’s tee shot on the 72nd hole at the Masters ended up…in a divot. Yet he prevailed and that has always been the mark of a true champion: to prevail despite bad luck. I think the right man won at the Players. As for starting on 16, I can’t think of a good reason not to except to point out that 17 with it’s stadium setup is better for the gallery.
John
I fully agree 17 is a great hole lots of drama and excitement but it is a rather cheap trick to make it the first hole in a playoff. I hate to say luck comes into play but in some ways it does on 17.
John
Just think how exciting it would have been if Sergio’s ball had also gone in the water. Then we could have a chip off from the ball drop. Your example of Immelman being in a divot was good, but that will never happen at 17, unless Goydos had dropped in a divot at the drop area.
I don’t think that 18 gives the longer hitter that big an advantage, especially with the wind blowing towards the trees and rough on the right.
I’ve played that course a few times. If the weather is benign, then its actually not that hard a shot. Yes, lots of bad things can happen, but a touring professional should be able to get a 9 iron or wedge on the green every time. If not, a penalty should be played. If the wind is blowing, the hole is a beast, no doubt about it.
If I recall the way these things work, you set the playoff rules before the competition begins, so they had no way of knowing that it would be a quirky gimmick when they set the rules.
Stinks for Goydos, but a good win for Sergio. Wasn’t it Ben Hogan who said “if you can’t make enough putts, work on your irons to hit it closer?” I think Sergio could ace a hole and still miss the putt.