Golf Vic Vol 60 No 2 2019

en route to victory at the aforementioned Dubai Desert Classic. But when compared to the time it took JB Holmes to get around Riviera – five and a half hours – when he won what used to be called the LA Open, DeChambeau was Usain Bolt. Both Americans sucked the life out of a sport that has more and more competition for the attention of the public. Anyone viewing on television would have had a tough time thinking golf looks like fun. Inexplicably, the tours seem unconcerned by this recipe for disaster, but the game is increasingly unwatchable – a long-term recipe for recession. Back in the Middle East, the European Tour this year made its maiden visit to Saudi Arabia – an ironic description given the appalling treatment women routinely receive there. It was a controversial decision to go to such a place, one that contravened many moral codes. While it is one thing to hold commercially sponsored events in places like Dubai and Turkey and China, it is quite another to openly endorse a state-sponsored tournament in a nation that was so openly involved in the recent and brutal assassination of a journalist. Speaking of Saudi Arabia, it was there that Sergio Garcia indulged himself in a display of prolonged petulance unprecedented in the professional game. One day after his short but explosive tantrum resulted in damage to an innocent bunker, the former Masters champion deliberately violated five putting surfaces in succession, removing a divot from one. It was an ignominious display, one that led to the Spaniard’s immediate disqualification from the event. What it did not lead to, however, was further punishment. Many felt that a lengthy suspension from competitive golf might have been appropriate. Speaking of anger, DeChambeau – yes, him again – recently revealed himself to be a ‘mad’ scientist in more ways than one. In two separate incidents, the American was seen gouging a large divot from the bank of a bunker and inexplicably hacking away at a practice putting green. On only the latter occasion did he deign to repair any blemishes. As an example to young people starting out in golf, it was disgraceful. And then there is the illicit practice known as ‘back-stopping’. Just last year, former US PGA champion Jimmy Walker admitted that he is prone to leaving his ball close to the flag if a pal is hitting next, but that he always marks if the player in question is not a chum. This cosiness extends to other tours. In late February, two LPGA players – Amy Olson and Ariya Jutanugarn – conspired during an event in Thailand. After Jutanugarn chipped close, she moved forward as if to mark her ball. Olson told her not to bother and the Thai woman acquiesced. The American’s chip then struck her playing partner’s ball and finished all but stiff. The pair even had the cheek to engage in a brief bit of knuckle-fondling after this inexplicable piece of collusion. Back-stopping makes no sense in a competitive environment. Why would any player help another in such a blatant fashion? I wouldn’t do that for my best friend – and I wouldn’t expect him to do anything similar for me. There is just time for one final head-shaking moment, the saga that was Matt Kuchar and his Mexican caddie. Because his regular bagman, the redoubtable John Wood, was unavailable for the Mayakoba Golf Classic last November, Kuchar used a local man. He then won the tournament and $1.3m. But, sticking to their pre-event agreement, Kuchar paid his temporary caddie just $5,000. That seemed mean and it was. But it also spoke to the growing impression that today’s leading players are increasingly detached from the world – and the reality – in which the rest of us live. After much public pressure and acres of bad publicity, Kuchar eventually came around and paid up to the tune of $50,000. But much damage has been done, both to his image and the game’s as a whole. Anyway, add all of the above together and we have what can only be described as a complete loss of perspective by just about everyone concerned. In too many ways, the true spirit of golf is being lost. And that needs to change as a matter of urgency. What we have seen over the last few months is little more than an inexorable descent into insanity. 50 Golf Victoria