Ogilvy: Majors are 'easier' than regular events
OK, so Geoff Ogilvy didn’t exactly say this week that it’s easier to go low at the U.S. Open than the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, but he did offer an unusual take on the majors, typically four of the season’s most taxing tournaments.
“Whatever anyone else says, there’s a part of a major that’s slightly easier than a regular tournament because so many people aren’t really comfortable playing them so maybe people don't quite play as well as would in a normal tournament,” Ogilvy said in Melbourne, where he is home preparing for the Australian majors.
“I’m not saying they’re easy to win but there’s a bunch in a field in a major that isn’t quite comfortable when they’re playing in it.
“It always seems to be the same 20 guys who pop up on top of a major leaderboard.”
It’s an intriguing theory from the ever-intriguing Ogilvy, with one inherent flaw: Ogilvy. If the Aussie truly finds majors easier than regular events, he hasn’t exactly proved it. Though he won the 2006 U.S. Open, looking unflappable at Winged Foot, his overall major record is shaky. Ogilvy has consistently showed up at the PGA, with three top-10 finishes in the last four years, but has never finished in the top 15 at the Masters and at the last two British Opens he missed the cut.
Hardly sounds like a comfort zone.
Posted by: You | Nov 2, 2008 1:15:09 AM
The other tour events are more of a proving ground for the other golfers to attain that "major contender" status. The same 20 people are always in contention because their nerves can take it and because they've overcome that pressure through past majors and other big tournaments (notice I said big tournaments, and not the cut-rate tournaments). Ogilvy's won the Accenture Match Play, but yes, his major record since the 2006 U.S. Open hasn't been the best (well, we also have to remember that the 2006 Open was practically handed to him thanks to Monty and Phil's inability to finish). Most of the field hasn't even been in contention at regularly scheduled tournaments, and it should come as no surprise that they can't contend at the majors, either. I have to laugh at the people at the Golf Channel for having faith in some of the golfers on tour that just don't any staying power, like J.J. Henry and Vaughn Taylor. People like Anthony Kim and Boo Weekley have done more in the past two years than they've done in their careers. Hell, Greg Norman's gotten closer to a major championship this year than these guys have, and Greg hasn't even played competitively on the PGA Tour in the years prior to it. And golfers like them know that as long as the same 20 people are in the field for majors, they don't stand a chance. It's almost as if they don't play the same game. Now, there are people like Padraig who have won majors in convincing fashion (unlike Ogilvy), and who have proven themselves to be real contenders. It's nothing against Geoff at all; I like Ogilvy as a golfer, but he still needs to prove that he can win convincingly. Zach Johnson's another man that comes to mind when talking about winning convincingly. He needs to follow up on his performance at the '07 Masters, not get cut from two majors like he did this year. In fact, he hasn't posted any other top 10 at a major in his career, making his Master performance seem more of a fluke; more of a rub of the green situation. Past major winners need to take from Tiger and Padraig's example and try to get a win in convincing fashion.
Posted by: Brian R. | Nov 1, 2008 10:34:43 PM
J.Genius, I'll think you find if you read the order of posting that you AGREE with me and DISAGREE with GEE and M.Taylor!!! So yes,I do GET IT. I appreciate you support.
Posted by: J. Genius | Nov 1, 2008 8:42:30 PM
Good grief Alan. I can't believe you think Geoff is stating a new idea. Jack Nicklaus has been saying the exact same thing for the last 30 years. The EXACT same thing.
Does your knowledge of golf history extend past the last 5 years? Did you just start reading Golf Digest last month? Please do us all a favor and go back to covering college football, or baseball, or whatever it was you were writing about before SI asked you to start pretending to be a golf expert.
Posted by: Gareth Schroder | Nov 1, 2008 2:46:47 AM
I can't resist posting here. I have to agree 100% with Ogilvy and GEE. Brian and M.Taylor need to give some more thought to what Ogilvy was trying to say here.
Geoff was simply saying because the majority of golfers are not comfortable (himself probably included) in a major... the majors should be relatively easier than a normal tournament. GET IT?!
Posted by: Brian R. | Nov 1, 2008 12:26:36 AM
GEE, I'd back Geoff to beat you hands down in a "talk straight" competition and golf match so just calm down and get real!!
Posted by: GEE | Oct 31, 2008 6:51:01 PM
Ok then OGilvy! that's your observation, opinion. Easy, well regular or major event, i have yet to see you win a lot!you so hypocrite, even when you're giving interview..you can't even talk straight what you want to say! my opinion and observation about you..your not that good anyway!
Posted by: Brian R. | Oct 30, 2008 7:47:17 PM
Nowhere here (I haven't read the whole interview though),does he include himself in the "same 20 guys"so give him a break. He is making an observation that is all and ,hey , he's won one more Major than us!!
Posted by: Brian P. | Oct 30, 2008 7:29:32 PM
As a fan, the majors are easier to WATCH too (as a spectator). "Regular events" have too much corporate hospitality propoganda lining the greens and fairways. Majors are worth the extra money and travel to go see.
Posted by: M. Taylor | Oct 29, 2008 10:47:42 PM
Sometimes these golfers take themselves much too seriously. With this comment, I hope to see him step up to the plate and not only win many more majors but some of the harder, regular events as well.