Which major would you most like to win?

[HDPM]

I guess I am the rare American who would most like to win the Open. The US Open is a close second for me because it would be my national championship. However, the golf is better in the Open IMO. First pick of courses to win it on would be St. Andrews naturally. In any event, winning either the Open or the US Open would be better for me than the other two. Open championships are a notch above limited field events. The PGA should be 36 hole matches, were it so I would place it third behind the opens. The changes to Augusta are unfortunate, and IMO playing at different courses is better, regardless of the merits of one particular course. That is impossible in the case of The Masters I know. I am a nut though and would like to see the Western Open revived independent of the tour and played at great courses throughout the west. Won't happen, but the Western would be a cool major. It died as a major long before it became the routine tour stop sponsored by Cialis though obviously.

[ClubChamp04]

The U.S Open without a doubt. I also think it's one of the best tournaments to watch b/c it's open for everyone. Joe Blow can play if he's good enough to make it through the qualifiers and I think it's really interesting watching those guys in contention.

[Ron Burgundy]

1) British
2) US
3) Masters
4) PGA

How can any other tournament compare itself with the history and tradition of THE Open?

[Ron Burgundy]

[ QUOTE ]
The PGA should be 36 hole matches, were it so I would place it third behind the opens.

[/ QUOTE ]

Were it so, I'd place it behind every official event. And were it so, it should be played at the end of the year in the "silly season." Because that's what match play is: silly. The PGA is already a distant 4th on the prestige list. I don't think it would help to turn it into a complete gimmick.

We already have "The World Federation Of PGA Tours Presents The Official World Golf Championships Of The World: The Accenture World Match Play Championship Of The World" in which Tiger gets beaten by Nick O'Hern in the first round. Not exactly a good way to identify the best player.

[HDPM]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The PGA should be 36 hole matches, were it so I would place it third behind the opens.

[/ QUOTE ]

Were it so, I'd place it behind every official event. And were it so, it should be played at the end of the year in the "silly season." Because that's what match play is: silly. The PGA is already a distant 4th on the prestige list. I don't think it would help to turn it into a complete gimmick.

We already have "The World Federation Of PGA Tours Presents The Official World Golf Championships Of The World: The Accenture World Match Play Championship Of The World" in which Tiger gets beaten by Nick O'Hern in the first round. Not exactly a good way to identify the best player.

[/ QUOTE ]

No way. You stressed the history of the Open in the other post, how can you call match play silly? It is possible it is the the way the game was meant to be played origianlly, and for a long time most golf was played at match play I think. Stroke play is a nice way to have a big and "fair" competition, but match play is at least equal to stroke play and should always have a place in golf. One major should be match play. Stroke play is better for television of course. How is playing it the traditional way a gimmick?

[knicknut]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The PGA should be 36 hole matches, were it so I would place it third behind the opens.

[/ QUOTE ]

Were it so, I'd place it behind every official event. And were it so, it should be played at the end of the year in the "silly season." Because that's what match play is: silly. The PGA is already a distant 4th on the prestige list. I don't think it would help to turn it into a complete gimmick.

We already have "The World Federation Of PGA Tours Presents The Official World Golf Championships Of The World: The Accenture World Match Play Championship Of The World" in which Tiger gets beaten by Nick O'Hern in the first round. Not exactly a good way to identify the best player.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess if match play is gimmicky and not a real tournament, then the US Amateur and almost every major tournament before about 1940 doesn't matter then, huh?

I agree that the PGA should go to match play. Start Wednesday, 2 days of stroke play qualifying, top 16 qualify, 2 matches Friday, two matches Saturday, 36 holes Sunday. It would give the PGA a uniqueness (since every major is unique except the PGA, which is US Open Jr.). Unfortunately match play isn't good for TV, and god forbid Tiger doesn't qualify.

[Ron Burgundy]

Yes I realize that match play used to be the predominant tournament format. Does that make it better? If it was, all the majors would be match play.

The US Am is so stupid I can't even watch it. I really don't care about the Ryder/Pres. cups either (although that's more because of their commercialization, but that's another topic).

Match play can be fun sometimes if you're playing with friends at the local muni. But it has no place in serious competition.

[Soya]

From a pure golf standpoint it would be the US Open. The uniform brutality of the tournament from the rough to the greens to the 18 hole playoff makes it the ultimate test. I can't imagine a more satisfying tournament to win (although being announced by some old stodgy British dude as the champion golfer of the year would be cool too).
But, if given the choice I would take the Masters for the perks. There is no way I could turn down a yearly spot at the Champions dinner and the lifetime exemption.

[knicknut]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes I realize that match play used to be the predominant tournament format. Does that make it better? If it was, all the majors would be match play.

The US Am is so stupid I can't even watch it. I really don't care about the Ryder/Pres. cups either (although that's more because of their commercialization, but that's another topic).

Match play can be fun sometimes if you're playing with friends at the local muni. But it has no place in serious competition.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well then I guess we disagree. I can't see how you can find one-on-one, strategic golf boring. It's got so much more character than "everybody play the same course 4 times and see who wins." The most exciting part of golf is when the final group is tied for the lead down the stretch, and they start making shots and plays based on the other's position, no?

[tuq]

Ron,

IMO match play > stroke play, or at the very least should be contested more often. Have you ever played in match play events? They are a great test of strategy - against both the course and the opponent - and mental toughness. I've never been so nervous as in match play competition. Of course, the thought of only two men standing on the last day isn't attractive to sponsors or probably the players for that matter, so it will no doubt be relegated to RC/President's Cup formats and the Accenture tournament.

Anyway, awwww poor PGA, everyone's last choice. Probably mine too since it lacks its own identity, but without a doubt the best major finishes over the past several years have belonged to the PGA. Tiger in 2000 vs. Bob May. David Toms > Mickelson in 2001. Beem squeaking by Tiger at Hazeltine in 2002. Micheel stuffing it on the 72nd hole in 2003. Vijay in overtime against two others in 2004. Phil's Monday finish in 2005. All of those were won on the final hole, and by one shot.

BTW, match play was the norm until 1958. wiki.

As for my choice, probably the British - such awesome courses which demand such thoughtful play. I'm REALLY looking forward to Carnoustie this year - St. Andrews gets the most attention but Carnoustie is probably my favorite course in the rota. Plus the Open is over by 10:30 my time which leaves us tons of time to get our golf fix in after watching the pros for a few days.