by Wyomick
When are you guys and gals gonna learn; it's all about the money. You wouldn't have the attendance or the TV for PGA events if they were all like the Open at Wing Feat (pun intended). And, how many guys do you think would try to make a living playing the game, if all the PGA events were like the Battle of Wing Feat (not quite a massacre this year, although 98% of the field was higher than that Hale Irwin's win (+7) in '74 WITH the new equipment and balls. Speaking of new equipment, how is it that an organization (USGA) that complains that equipment and balls are ruining the game and need regulating, can trick up a golf course to any standard they want? Heck, next year maybe they'll lengthen the course to 7500 yards, grow the primary to 8", narrow the fairways to 15 yards wide, and cross-cut, roll and not water greens every morning. That'll show'em, nobody under 15 over; this 5 over winner stuff HAS GOT TO STOP! Where does the USGA stop; what's their standard for golf courses?

by Matthew Souchuk
I dont know about everyone else, but I do not want to see golfers fighting their way out of 12 inch rough and punching the ball maybe 50 yards. I am a 10 handicap golfer and I dont want to waste my time on the weekend watching people score like me. I love a birdie fest, yes the PGA tour is comprised of humans, but they are extraordinary golfers and thats what I watch for. Making courses harder just to see the players struggle isnt good tv. An errant tee shot shouldnt automatically cost 1.5 shots per hole. And one more thing ... Bring the Backspin back to the greens. I cant do it so thats why I love watching it.

by Christo Fourie
I must say I enjoyed your comparison of the PGA tour to weekend golf for the average joes of the world. And I agree that the Tour players are spoilt when playing on immaculate courses every week (along with the valet cars, lunches and 5 star hotels). But lets face it, these guys are entertainers not golfers and so they probably earn all the extras that we don't. Golfing in France presents its own special challenges, 6 hour rounds (the french don't know about letting faster groups play thru),NEVER repair pitch marks & they think that raking a bunker is too menial a task. Golf courses are usually pretty good altho the bunkers are real hazards with clay like sand, no drainage and stones that destroy your clubs. We also play all year round, unlike the woosy americans who scuttle inside at the sight of the first raincloud.(In our golf group of 12 international players there are a couple of americans who usually only play when the weather is perfect). We've played in pelting rain, in snow storms (using orange golf balls) and in howling icy winds as well as in 100 degree tempretures....real golf for real golfers unlike the perfect conditions the PGA tour players moan about every weekend....which is why the US open was so fascinating to watch....more of the same in future please...

by Brian
Doesn't your rag-tag e-pub have enough money to send someone to the US Open, or at least provide a weekly column from someone who wasn't on their couch?
B

by bill porteous
How typically insular are your comments on the US Open!!! You fail to even mention the name of the winner. Regardless of what Montgomery and your precious Mickelson did, it was GEOFF OGILVY who won . Takea look at the names of the top twenty finishers and you'll see that the rest of the world can produce just as good as golfers. Open your eyes and minds, guys , and focus on the game of golf and all the players, not just Americans

by ROBERT JOLY
HOW ABOUT INSISTING THAT PRO GOLFERS CARRY THEIR BAGS ,CHOOSE THEIR CLUBS ,ASSESS THEIR SHOTS DISTANCE AND READ THEIR OWN PUTS.I AM SURE THE WORLD RANKING WOULDN'T BE LIKE IT IS TODAY.
WHEN THEY APPLY THESE RULES I WOULD SAY THAT GOLF IS A FAIR GAME.

by Ian in the UK
Bring it on I say!!
Lets have some events where Par is a good score and stop these pampered college boys having a 7200 yard putting contest every week!!

by bill from australia
Couldn't agree more. More and more emphasis on blasting the ball into orbit and then it's who can putt the best. More emphasis on putting the ball on the fairway and then on getting it onto the green would make a lot more sense . For example, take modern day bunkers on the PGA tour and place them alongside the pot bunkers in Europe or Royal Melbourne. One lot are a hazard, the others are a blessed relief from the rough.