The Decider: Did Watson/Boom-Boom Get You Amped for Champ Tour Action?

by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 25, 2010 1:47 PM EST

The Champ Tour's season opener at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship was a duel between 60 year old Tom Watson and rookie - seriously? - Fred Couples.

The Hawaiian backdrop was nice, but the golf was what made the tournament. Couples was closing in on the wiley Watson and had reached him on the final tee. Watson got the job done, though, at the last with a birdie that Couples could not match. Watson survived.

Champ Tour critics say that the Tour may feature great golf, but has no superstar to compel regular attention. Tom Watson's finish at the Open Championship likely boosted the Tour, but in the short term. Perhaps the presence of the uberpopular Couples can build a sustainable bump in popularity.

(Hell, just by writing this article, I've done more than I did on the Champ Tour opener in '09.)

Like most of Couples' career, though, his ability to play depends on his back and his interest level in golf. For now, it seems like both are doing very well.

Poll

Would you pay more attention to the Champ Tour if Couples and/or Watson were kicking tail?

Yes

18 votes

No

10 votes

Maybe

2 votes

30 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

tough poll question to answer since I enjoy watching the Champions Tour anyway – so a “no” means I already enjoy it, so there’s nothing “more” to watch since I already watch.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jan 25, 2010 1:57 PM EST reply actions

Same here

"pain is only weakness leaving the body"

by progolf on Jan 25, 2010 2:02 PM EST reply actions

Yea guys

and as long as we don’t have TIGAR to kick right now, I do the Champions thing…STUB

by thinker on Jan 25, 2010 2:08 PM EST reply actions

I watch the

“seasoned” guys as much as possible. It makes no difference who is playing.

The Saints are in the SUPER BOWL....WHO DAT!

by em66 on Jan 25, 2010 2:24 PM EST reply actions

I actually prefer to watch the Champions tour, but not when football is on. I usually only watch regular cable as opposed to the extended cable that includes TGC…I only have TGC on one TV, the big flatscreen that my wife and daughter monopolize.

by niblic on Jan 25, 2010 2:39 PM EST reply actions