ZOZO Championship Saturday scoreboard here.
The debate over what affect today's equipment is having on the scoring in professional golf has been going on for years. It has reached the offices of the R&A and the USGA, and their final report is due in March with many opining it will need the co-operation of the PGA and European Tours to ever come to a solution.
Well, I'm not going to argue with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player amongst others who have been calling for a restriction on the ball, and of course the guy who is currently pouring fuel on the fire, Bryson DeChambeau is now boasting he can carry a drive 400 yards in ideal weather.
If you need a nudge either way in your stance on this just have a look at what's happening at Sherwood CC and the ZOZO Championship.
The course has 5 short par 5's, it's a par 72, the stroke average on Friday was 67.3, the course record was 62 held by Tiger who has won here 5 times until Dustin Johnson topped it with a 61.
It was the host of the Shark Shoot-Out for 10 years, then the World Challenge, Tiger's limited field (18 -32) invitational for 13 years.
This course, like many is no longer a strong test in today's game, in fact it's easy. Just listen to former player Paul Azinger, now commentating for NBC/Golf Channel gushing about what a birdie fest he is watching. "These guys can't take their eye's off the flagstick"
Justin Thomas who leads after 2 rounds with 65 65 -14 has played the back nine 29, 31 in just 60 strokes over 2 days.
Richy Werenski a fine young American player tied the course record with his 61, three players shot -9 63, four shot 64, thirteen shot -7 65, you get the picture, and none of them were called Tiger, (76 66 ) Phil (72 74) or Rory ( 73 67)
Canadians: Mac Hughes who opened with a fine -5 67, went absolutely backwards on Friday with even 72 and begins the weekend T48 in this no cut 70 man field. Corey Connors 68 67 -8 T27, Nick Taylor 70 68 -6 T40, Adam Hadwin 75 67 -2 T66.
At some point the game as it stands and continues to move has to change. Recently veteran golf writer John Huggan suggested " I almost hope DeChambeau wins the Masters by 10 shots thus reducing Augusta National to pitch and putt status. That will surely be a tipping point on re action in equipment"
If not at Augusta, how about at St Andrews in 2022 if the wind doesn't blow at the Open ?
Either way the show down is coming, the R&A/ USGA are going to suggest a restriction in equipment for pros, the PGA Tour will resist with all the money they have invested in equipment companies, and the wow factor they enjoy about 400 yard drives.
Something has to give...
Bryan Angus
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