This Year's U.S. Open was Just Plain Boring

Written by: Zach Hammer, The Reserve Clause (Twitter: @Zach_Hammer)

I’m a total golf snob and watch at least portions of each tournament, and all of every major. It’s what I do. It helps me aspire to be a better weekend duffer. It’s not just that, it’s the fact that I’m in love with the game.

Golf, in the Tiger Woods era, has transcended its “old, rich guy sport” moniker. It now reaches people of races, creeds and sexes of all ages. That’s a good thing. It’s a great sport, and is one that can connect all of these people. To many of these folks, watching major tournaments whittle down on Sundays are highly dramatic sporting events. But not this year. This year is painful to watch and here is why.

1.        Low Scores: Last year, Rory McIlroy rang in the new era of golf when he won the Open with a score of -16. He completely dominated the field and had the tournament wrapped up by the turn in his final round. Nobody else stood a chance, yet I was glued to the TV waiting to see what magnificent shot he would pull of out of his hat next. This year’s tournament is just painful. Coming into Sunday I would not have been shocked if the winning score was over par. That’s not good, entertaining golf. Shame on you, USGA. Your job is to make our national championship as exciting as possible, but when professional golfers are posting scores that a weekend duffer like myself is capable of posting, adjustments need to be made.

2.       Lack of storylines: Sure, ESPN was riding the early Tiger lead to the core, and was praying that he’d pull out some “Tiger magic” on Sunday. Instead, what happened? Bogey, Bogey, Double Bogey to open his final round. See ya, Tiger! The best story line therefore fell to Beau Hossler. The 17-year old soon-to-be high school senior was in contention to possibly win the tournament, which as an amateur alone is pretty incredible. But as typical amateurs do, they slip in the final round. Now we’re stuck with aging stars Ernie Els and Jim Furyk. Sure, I get the “importance” of an older golfer winning. Thanks, but no thanks.

3.       The other TV event: It’s just too bad that the more entertaining matchup is running while the final pairings make their way around the back nine. I’ve already switched channels. Why? Because it’s not boring.

I love golf and will always love golf. This column is not meant to imply that I think that the game is boring, just that this particular incarnation of our national championship doesn’t do it for me. Maybe it’s the thick fog forming over the Olympic Club or the sleepy San Francisco golf fans? I don’t know. Either way, congratulations to Webb Simpson. He certainly deserves it. I just hope that he gives the USGA a sincere ear-full after the tournament is over. He probably won’t.