Charles Schwab Challenge: Winners And Losers From The 2020 "Return to Golf"

Busy week! The PGA Tour is back in the COVID-19 era and there was a lot to unpack.

Winners

Daniel Berger – On the comeback trail from a wrist injury and in extra-fine form when the season was abruptly stopped, the Golf Gods guided this once-young gun back to winning glory. His tears of joy made up for the lack of energy caused by the lack of fans. It was immensely satisfying to see what the win meant to Berger. Thanks.

Collin Morikawa – Just another stellar week from, eh em, the game’s steadiest player. A slight push on a putt that clearly was harder than it looked (ask Xander), and a heartbreaking loss should do nothing to discourage this young star.

Xander Schauffele – Somehow recovers from an epic misplay from a 15th hole fairway bunker and into the water to sink a long bogey putt, then birdies 16, suffers a brutal horseshoe lipout at 17 and conducts himself with class after the round. But it was the obvious facial disappointment (and was that steam out of the ears?) made us realize we were watching golf that mattered.

Colonial – Pre-tournament week we heard it was firm and fast, but the course was clearly softened up early in the week to protect the bent greens and move a bloated 148-player field around. Things firmed up enough on the weekend to weed out those who were just a bit off their game. As it should be.

CBS – They pulled it off with a strange concoction of announcers in one location and tech teams in others. There were polished new almost 3D graphics paid some sponsor bills, added some stats and offered a fresh look.

Live Drone – While wind probably minimized its usage Sunday, CBS’s use of a live drone took advantage of having no fans on site to provide us some different perspectives Saturday, including trailing leaders up some fairways and overall, delivering a sense of the golf course and scene. Just don’t give us a groovy view and then hide it with a leaderboard.

Points Lists And Other Signs Of Not Grasping The Current Times – Kudos to all for minimizing talk of money, points races and most other signs of excess that no one needed to hear about this week. Oh sure we got FedExCup lists but overall, talk of money and perks was minimal.

PGA Tour Messaging On COVID-19 – Jay Monahan and team said all the right things heading into the week about wanting to set the right example, outlined plenty of extra-stringent guidelines and even texted players, caddies and others reminders during the week to set an example. The execution within range of a national television audience, however… 

Losers 

PGA Tour Execution Of Distancing, Safety Precautions – The sight of multiple PGA Tour officials without masks indoors or outdoors and not even trying to physically distance was jarring enough that, oh, everyone who knows who is who noticed during Sunday’s final round. If you flipped over to rain-delayed NASCAR, masks were aplenty and the safety rules were still in full display (even as they are several races into their restart and could easily grow lax). While the CBS crew fully complied, players and caddies understandably struggled with some of the guidelines (wiping flagsticks and rakes down is pretty silly). But those with a PGA Tour employee ID number need to do better when the cameras are on. Or any time.

PGA Tour Stars – Ok, that was one less-than-idea day all the way around, especially for the world No. 1 posting 74 after a front nine 41.  But Sunday was a good reminder that the excessively-worshiped official world ranking does not mean a thing once you step on the first tee.

Golf As The First Sport Back Excitement – A 1.5 overnight rating for Saturday’s action is not the stuff of, “the world was watching” and Monahan did not make the invite list to Sportscenter’s commissioner roundtable tomorrow.

Brandel Chamblee – Not the way to draw in a younger audience.

CBS Commercial Load – Saturday’s broadcast went along pretty smoothly but as we were warned early in the week, “Eye On The Course” would be used heavily and it was indeed, to the usual Sunday horror of social media watchers overwhelmed by make goods, ads and a pre-recorded Zoom with Charles Schwab (it was at least useful since a surprising number were not aware he is a living, breathing person-American…). With a deep leaderboard needing some time for viewers to take in, they were often hurriedly taken down. Storytelling for the new audience expected to tune in could not happen, and the telecast could have used a ticker to show us scores, stats and take some burden off the telecast having to deal with so many promotional obligations.

“Inside The Ropes” – The new on-course interview element may have been the single worst waste of time in golf television history. I think I speak for all but immediate families or maybe sponsors paying for collar logos, that we did not need to know what Jim Furyk is working on or that Keegan Bradley is happy to be back playing golf in full hostage video voice.  

PGA Tour Live - Given the chance to be lead-in coverage on CBS, we were reminded that the Tour’s in-house effort is very much in the broadcasting minor leagues. It’s cruel to judge much in such a strange time for TV crews, but without fans the camera angles remained awful, there were focus issues and just an overall state TV vibe that made it tough sledding.

Golf Without Fans – The energy just wasn’t there Sunday despite the best efforts of the CBS announcers. While the week showed the PGA Tour can go on with a less exciting product and still function, the three remaining majors have to be re-examined if fan-free or even fan-minimal is how they want to present their jewels.