Dull and Duller
Be honest, do you have any idea about what is currently happening in the FedEx Cup playoffs, or any interest, come to that?
The playoffs, as you will recall with absolute clarity, are the US Tour’s end of season big money jamboree and were designed to inject a little zest and hype into the fag end of the playing year, once the majors were all done and dusted and we punters had nothing to look forward to apart from the prospect of getting a few Titleist Pro Vs in our Christmas stockings. So far they have been about as successful as the waiter walking around the deck of the sinking Titanic asking if anyone wanted more ice.
As you’re reading a golf blog you are presumably, by definition, pretty enthusiastic about the game and, I would guess, fairly knowledgeable, too, so here’s a quick pop quiz. First, who currently heads the Playoff standings, as we anticipate with baited breath the final event of the series, the Tour Championship? Okay, that was too easy because the answer is Tiger Woods, and the answer is always Tiger Woods. Here comes the tricky part – name the other four seeds, any one of whom will lift the pot of gold if they win on Sunday*.
I thought so. And are you able to name the winners of the previous two Playoffs? Again, Tiger in 2007 is too easy but can you still remember that last year it was Vijay Singh. He amassed so many points in the first three events that no-one could overtake him in the fourth, which therefore became, in consequence, the biggest anti-climax since Devon Loch fell at an imaginary fence in the 1956 Grand National. And Tiger of course, yawningly won the first FedEx Cup by only competing in three of the four events.
As a result of both those cruises to overall victory, the US Tour has tinkered with the format each year, and what was originally a complicated system is now only truly understood by two people –both of whom have to be kept in a locked room at US Tour headquarters, lest they frighten the horses.
It is admirable to stick to your guns and retain the courage of your convictions, but it is truly dumb to stubbornly shackle yourself to a format that is not understood, enjoyed, watched or remembered, by the vast majority of golfers.
The other four seeds, if you haven’t yet fallen asleep are Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson and Heath Slocum – now there’s a fourball to set your pulse racing.
We Too
Of course, we can’t get too sanguine in Europe about our own Tour’s end of season bunfest, the Race to Dubai, which culminates in the Dubai World Championship, because word is out that before the much-trumpeted pinnacle of the year is even played for the first time, the prize money has already been slashed. Instead of the US$10 million that was originally promised for the golf tournament, with a further $10 million for the bonus pool, both figures have now been reduced to $7, 500,000, a reduction of 25%. In addition, there seems a real likelihood that the original five-year deal will be cut to three years.
It is difficult to feel a great deal of sympathy for already rich golfers who will now become slightly less wealthy as a result but if an oil and cash rich nation like Dubai is feeling the economic pinch, warning bells must sound for all golf events, and the sponsors on whom they depend.
Flying the flag
On a slightly more cheery note, I can’t decide if I’m appalled or attracted by these shoes, which take patriotic fervour to a whole new level. Perhaps my mixed feelings are caused by the fact that patriotism increasingly seems to slide into xenophobia but there’s no doubt that if you want to make a statement, these are the clogs for you. They come from a Portugese company called Lambda and will be officially showcased at Golf Europe (a trade show) later this month and will, when they’re available, cost €119. Just thought you might like a sneak peek.
And finally…
Whenever a Ryder Cup looms, many new and different products pop up, all striving to make some sort of connection to the biennial event that we all love so much. This is my favourite to date, a collection of Ryder Cup jewellery from Welsh manufacturer Clogau Gold. Among the offerings are a silver and rose ball marker for £89, a silver and rose tee, for £99 and a silver and rose charm (pictured), also for £89.
Sometimes, words are just superfluous.