Let's Get Uncomfortable

Recent news has put the PGA players firmly in control of their own futures, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing. They’ve gone from independent contractors (ugh, thanks Cantlay) to equity holders in their own league and own future. The question that remains is will they have enough self-awareness to put competition and not comfort first? I’m doubtful. Two recent tournaments early this year have shown they are not yet in the “entertainment product” head space. The At&t Pebble Beach and Waste Management both put players in uncomfortable positions for different reasons. The weather, and the crowd, respectively. Although the weather played a major factor in Phoenix as well it wasn’t the glaring variable like the crowd was.

In fairness I’m aware the Sunday at the Pebble Beach pro-am was very windy, the teeth of the storm didn’t land until Monday and it was a serious weather event when it did. ON the other side of the coin this was also the 7th time this even was seriously altered or shortened due to weather so not exactly an outlier. All that being said if the goal is to make an entertaining product, get your asses out there and play in the goddamn wind. Its not fun, scores will be high and players will be frustrated and possibly embarrassed but you know what, thems the breaks. Everyone has to play the same course in the same conditions. What would be better, Wyndam Clark winning the tournament while ordering room service, or a four way war of attrition down the stretch with waves crashing against the rocks on 18? What a huge, missed opportunity. We would have remembered that Sunday for decades while a hot shower and a clothes dryer would have solved the players discomfort on that day.

The WM on the other hand was not unexpected. The tournament has made itself the party destination. A warm weather golf party weekend (usually) during the middle of winter for a vast majority of the country. It’s the Ryder cup without taking sides. Cheering, jeering, heckling, crushing, towering, grandstands, and perhaps, way too much boozing. A few players thrive here and stir the pot, a lot awkwardly pick their ball out the hole and give the tepid wave / hand raise you would give to someone who asked “who dented my car?” Sure, its not for everyone but it is unique and having players lament the atmosphere is not entertainment first. Zach Johnson said he wouldn’t come back, hell if that’s all it took I’ll show up and “sir” him at every event on the calendar. It’s a spectacle, it supposed to be, and its once a year. This would be like NASCAR drivers saying the tailgating at Talladega cheapens the sport or Duke players requesting Tar Heel fans sit quietly while they attempt free throws. You signed up for this by showing up to the event, you’re wrong for expecting a different outcome. Lean into it, the WM is probably one of the most well know events of the whole year aside from the majors and a couple of others, its appointment television on Super Bowl weekend and an aspirational travel destination for friend groups, both golfers and non-golfers alike. Do they know how rare that is!? People aren’t booking Airbnbs a year in advance to attend the John Deere!

The players need to start thinking beyond themselves. They aren’t playing for prize money and giant goofy trophies anymore. They’re playing for the future of their professional sport. They’re no longer just winning money, they have to EARN it. That means wear a mic on course, play in tough conditions, stop allowing grey area rules to give get-out-of-jail-free cards, appreciate the crowds that spent money to watch you play, and know that you’re on TV for one damn reason, to compel us want to watch.

-The Starter