Europe’s thrilling victory in the Solheim Cup provided quite a contrast to the fizz-free finale in the previous day’s FedEx Cup
Why Scintillating Solheim Emphasised FedEx Cup Flop
The Solheim Cup at the Inverness Club in Ohio delivered everything you could hope for from a top-level golf event.
Exceptional play, drama and controversy, breakout performances, comebacks and a finish that went, very nearly, right to the wire.
Team events generally tend to showcase the best elements of elite competition but, in the last couple of instalments, the Solheim Cup has really raised the bar.
After Pettersen’s final putt finish in Gleneagles, the way the Europeans held their nerve to edge the matches in Toledo provided compelling viewing.
I was captivated by the action throughout the weekend and the afternoon (our evening) of Labor Day Monday.
Following the brilliant Women’s Open Championship at Carnoustie, this was another great event for the women’s professional game, demonstrating the incredible levels of precision and mental strength the best players can produce under the most intense scrutiny.
Perhaps more important than an exhibition of skill though, was how much entertainment the Solheim Cup delivered.
In that regard, as far as I’m concerned it wiped the floor with the other significant event taking place over the weekend: the denouement of the FedEx Cup and the Tour Championship at East Lake.
Yes, that was a close-run thing with Patrick Cantlay sneaking it by a shot from Jon Rahm and, yes, he did it with a birdie at the last.
But when he holed out for that birdie, his understated reaction said it all – A man who had just won $15 million quietly raised his cap and offered a hint of a smile.
The event was such that even the winner couldn’t get particularly excited.
In fact, Cantlay went as far as to say that he doesn’t like the format of the event that netted him such a huge financial prize.
A principal problem with it, as he and so many other see it, is that the lowest score of the week doesn’t win the Tour Championship.
Cantlay started on 10-under par at East Lake and without that head start would have ended the week in tied fourth.
The current format of the FedEx Cup playoffs relies on the huge financial rewards to deliver the excitement.
I’m supposed to ooh and aah at the prospect of the winner netting $15 million.
I’m not that bothered – these guys all have enough money that another huge cheque is of no consequence to them or to the spectators.
In fact, if anything, I think most watching just feel it’s a bit gratuitous and unnecessary.
What I want to watch as a golf fan is nail biting, passionate and determined competitive action… Like we saw at the Solheim Cup.
In individual golf, we see it at the Majors – compare Jon Rahm’s reaction to his winning putt at the U.S. Open with Cantlay’s at East Lake. Which appeared to mean more?
The fact the Tour Championship finale played out at the same time as the action was really starting to fizz in the Solheim Cup served to highlight the lack of buzz around the final FedEx Cup event.
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To make it stand out, a different format is required for the conclusion of the FedEx Cup – A return to the old system that rewarded the season-long winner and allowed the best player at East Lake to take Tour Championship glory would be a starter for 10.
The PGA Tour has some thinking to do after this weekend.
It was a tough gig to go up against the Solheim Cup but the relative levels of excitement surrounding each tournament should act as a wake-up call that a change is required.
The grit and exuberance displayed by both sides in the Solheim Cup at Inverness will live long in my memory. Patrick Cantlay’s $15 million tap-in and casual cap raise will probably not.
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