The wind has blown just right over the Plantation course this Sunday and it is well known what happens in these cases on the Hawaiian course, venue of the The Sentry since 1999: an unmerciful avalanche of birdies, eagles and scorecards. This is the hallmark of this tournament, that is undeniable, and in this sense even the consistency shown year after year with the preparation of the course can be commendable. Even on windy days (we have seen it this very week) excellent results abound.
This last round of the 2024 edition, we were saying, has turned out to be a real nonsense, said in the sense that each one wants to give it, with almost forty players, out of the 59 present, with signed records of six under on the day or better (and much better). Including the twelve under card from Justin Rose, the best of the day. It is not the first time that this debate has been opened around this tournament and, of course, there are opinions for all tastes.
Here’s one: it’s quite a thing to be forced to make seven under on the day to give yourself a chance of victory, but it becomes cloying the bath of cards so absolutely loaded with birdies. In this par 73, almost seventy records have been added in this edition in 66 strokes, seven under on the day, or better. With all due respect, and valuing in a positive way, it has already been said, the fact that this is precisely the hallmark of the tournament, what clearly distinguishes it from others, can be overwhelming.
Perhaps one expects or prefers that, faced with this type of players, among whom are almost all the best in the world, the main rival to beat, the course, can defend itself with greater guarantees, whether at the beginning of the season, as is the case, in the middle, or in the final play offs. It’s probably not about stressing the staff from the start, that’s also true, but for many of us there is a too sweet aftertaste in the almost absolute absence of the risk/reward equation. There are guys who have averaged six under each day this week and have barely sneaked into the final top ten through the back door and in extra time…
