A month ago LIV Golf announced it was abandoning its 54-hole format and would in future, in common with the rest of regular tournaments, play over 72 holes. I guess we can conclude that particular experiment has been deemed a failure. However, that need not mean that any reimagining should never be considered. For example, how about this for a rough idea, the genesis for which is Grand Prix qualifying in Formula 1? For the purpose of this scenario I am presuming a field of 40 golfers playing a 72-hole tournament. Well, ten of them would be.
They play the first round, at the end of which there would be a cut to eliminate the worst ten scorers. If need be, there would be sudden-death playoffs to ensure that exactly 30 players progressed to the second round. But the slate would then be wiped clean; everyone would revert to being level-par. Everyone would be a clubhouse leader.
The process is repeated on day two, meaning that at the end of that round only 20 players are still left in the competition. (Incidentally, until 1986 the Open Championship had cuts after both 36 and 54 holes.) The next day – let’s figure it’s Saturday – the action resumes with everyone tied for the lead and only the best ten finishers are going to survive until Sunday, when they will tee-off in a ten-way tie. The only carry-over advantage a player would get for having a superior score on one day would be a later tee-time on the next. Sunday’s action would unfold much as it does in any tournament. Except it would mostly be closer.
Clearly there would (probably) have to be prize-money for the players who don’t make it through to Sunday. I haven’t really thought about that. What I like about the idea is that every day is a new day. For the spectator, the added jeopardy for the players would be a boon. No one would begin Sunday thinking ‘no way is anyone going to catch him’ or ‘it’s just between the two of them’. I’m not suggesting this as a new template for orthodox tournament golf, rather as a variation on a theme. I think it would be more radical and more interesting than 54 holes and/or a shotgun start.
While I’m at it, another thought (which I may have mentioned before). This has previously occurred to me regarding playoffs for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and it came to mind again recently while watching Aaron Rai beat Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff in Abu Dhabi and Matt Fitzpatrick similarly prevail over Rory McIlroy in Dubai. These shoot-outs all happen on the 18th hole. Completely reasonable; that gives the maximum opportunity for spectators to witness the action. However, in all these three cases, the 18th is a par-five. Which is boring. It takes comparatively forever, and it may have to be done more than once. It also means the fans don’t properly get to see a good bit of the golf. Solution: for any playoff, the 18th gets converted into a par-three. The competitors could be told the location of the tee and pin position at the start of the week in case they wish to practise the shot.
Come on, guys. You know it makes sense!
You can follow Robert Green on Twitter @robrtgreen and enjoy his other blog f-factors.com as well as his golf archive on robertgreen-golf.com
