This week at Bethpage gives golf fans their first look at Woods since he won the MastersGETTY IMAGES
The PGA Championship teed off this morning at Bethpage Black on Long Island with "much more meat on the bone than usual," as the move from August to May "lends it all kinds of new energy," according to Steve Hummer of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. The new schedule also means the PGA Championship is Tiger Woods' first start since winning the Masters, and "as much as he ever has, Woods drives the interest in this week" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 5/15). In N.Y., Hank Gola wrote things "couldn’t have worked out better moving the tournament from August to May this year, making this year’s PGA one [of] the most anticipated ever" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/12). In San Diego, Tod Leonard wrote while the PGA of America and CBS knew moving the event was a "tremendous switch to leapfrog ahead of the U.S. Open," they just "couldn’t have concocted" what has since transpired. When Woods won the Masters, it was as if the "karma from all of those muggy, sweat-drenched days in August ... came back to the PGA." Woods in a way helped the PGA by "choosing not to play any event since the Masters, thus ratcheting up the anticipation even more." All of golf "stands to benefit." CBS Sports Chair Sean McManus said that he "expects ad revenues and ratings to increase" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 5/12).
WHERE'S THAT NEW YORK CROWD? GOLF DIGEST’s Joel Beall noted Bethpage was "noticeably quiet" during this week's practice rounds, a difference from when the course hosted the ’02 and ’09 U.S. Opens. Many of the holes on Tuesday and Wednesday “boasted more volunteers than spectators.” Ticket marketer Vivid Seats reported the average price of passes sold leading up to this year’s tournament is down nearly 20% from last year. Despite that, PGA of America officials are “still expecting a big weekend turnout.” The organization's website indicated that tickets for Saturday and Sunday are "sold out." Additionally, PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh earlier this week noted that Woods’ victory at The Masters “directly correlated into increased fan interest in the PGA.” Beall noted one reason the midweek crowds were thin could be because the "tournament proper has yet to start could” (GOLFDIGEST.com, 5/15).
INTO THE FUTURE? GOLFWEEK's Forecaddie noted a "very large (and bright) video screen" near the 18th hole will take the place of the PGA Championship's traditional manual leaderboard. It is located in the "same spot as the massive boards placed there by the USGA" in '02 and '09 for the U.S. Open. The PGA of America "used the lack of space around 18 to test what a video-only setup looks like to fans." However, PGA of America Chief Championship Officer Kerry Haigh said, "There is something to be said for the manual board, we haven’t given up on those, we like those." He added, "We are using new technology to help spectators appreciate what is going on or to see some actual golf." It will be interesting to see "how players will deal with the busy and bright screen so clearly visible in their lines" (GOLFWEEK.com, 5/14).
