Angry Golfer on Sandy Lyle, John Daly

Paul Redmond has a question for the Angry Golfer on the subject of Sandy Lyle's withdrawl from the Open Championship. Sandy was perhaps the only old guy who didn't place in the top 25. Lyle, as you know, quit after nine holes, prompting the R&A's Peter Dawson to say, "I wonder how he would feel if the man or woman doing the [scoring] were to walk in at the halfway point?"

Dear Mr. Angry Golfer,
Question: Who are you more angry at or what is the difference between Sandy Lyle or John Daly?

Consider: One quits playing (withdraws) and the other quits while playing (shoots 89).

Your answer?


John Hawkins, the Angry Golfer himself, replies:

Hey, Paul. The Angry Golfer harbors more contempt for Lyle. He openly admitted to using this tournament as a warmup to the British Seniors, and in doing so, cost a qualifier a spot in the field. He quit after nine holes because he's a lousy golfer. Any other reason he gave is simply for public consumption.

Daly is just plain pathetic, but at least he showed up yesterday and finished all 18 holes, thereby honoring the unwritten rule to try. Neither is a shining example of the game at its most sportsmanlike level, but in the context of your question, Lyle is the bigger lout.

Many thanks for reading. Guys like you are the reason we get to do this great job.

--Bob Carney

07.20.08

Made Cut, Missed Weekend

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John Daly decries the new Tour policy of relieving some players who make the cut of their obligation to play over the weekend. Our readers are divided.

Count Texan Thomas McConnell as leaning "No."

To tell a player, who makes the cut, that they are not in the weekend field strikes me as a ridiculous policy. To deprive a player who makes the cut the opportunity to improve their position in the final two rounds will surely affect some players tour status and certainly their livelihood by year end. After all it is a four round tournament for those who qualify. It is surprising that the players, in unison, have not challenged this policy change.

Californian Eric Patterson, doesn't see it that way. He likes John Hawkins' take in the Angry Golfer:

One month into 2008, Daly has been making the worst kind of noise, whining about the PGA Tour's new cut policy, then threatening to sue the Honda Classic because some woman snapped a photo in his backswing last March, then withdrawing for the seventh time in 21 starts at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. If not for the sad death of caddie Steve Duplantis last week, Daly's out-of-control behavior at a Hope post-round party might have generated a lot more buzz on the Torrey Pines practice green.

Eric:

John was so right on the money, he should be commended. The Touring Pros today ae nothing more than Prima Donnas; if they find the new Cut Rule tough, then they need to work an evening shift at Denny?s?just like John said. Many of these players have never won anything, come from spoon-fed country club upbringings and have no right to complain. They need to try sitting in a cubicle at a low level, 9-5 Corporate America job and see how much financial pressure they have. Keep up the great work, John.

Personally, I like reader Al Jamieson's view of things:

The kerfuffle about the new cut rule is rooted in the Tour's unwillingness or inability to deal with the most pernicious problem in golf, slow play!  Slow play is a cancer on the game.  Please check, but I believe that one of Tiger's wins at San Diego was from the cut line.  Can't get 78 players around in the time allotted? Shame on you.  College players may be worse.  Only stroke penalties for the turtles will start to get their attention.

You have put your finger on the bane of all golfers' existences, Al. Plus, I love that word, kerfuffle.

--Bob Carney

01.28.08
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