Who had the better career?

First topic message reminder :

Paul Lawrie who won the 1999 open Championship or the man he beat Jean Van De Velde?

The reason I ask is that for me, the star of that Open was Jean and the thing that people remember is Jeans infamous meltdown on the 18th hole.

So although Paul might have won more prizemoney at the event, and tour wins over his career, do you think that Jean made more of his career through notoriety and sponsorship/ advertising off the back of his moments of madness?

Who made the more money from the 1999 Open Championship and its fall out.

Who would you rather be remembered as - a boring 1 hit wonder or the guy who crumbled in the most spectacular fashion?

Hobo wrote:

super_realist wrote:Mac, its just a gentle dig as you seem to be on your soap box today, anyway it was twice to me and I'm not the only one you pm'd. You do set yourself up for it though.

r
SR - PM for you.

Replied

Davie, Mav, Hobo etc,
This site is in a sorry state if you depend on PGA Tour action to galvanise interest, there needs to be more, surely?

The fact that this was inspired by Tin Cup suggests imagination has run dry.

d4s VhbL

kwinigolfer wrote:Davie, Mav, Hobo etc,
This site is in a sorry state if you depend on PGA Tour action to galvanise interest, there needs to be more, surely?

The fact that this was inspired by Tin Cup suggests imagination has run dry.

d4s VhbL

I would agree - we have a link up with Leaderboard (who havent posted anything over which is a shame) - has anyone gone on there to look for articles to post on here - we have permission.

And thank you D4S for answering the question in the manner in which it was intended.

kwini

I'm getting old mate, not down with the kids anymore.... Vhbl???

Van Hit By Lawrie

Hobo wrote:Van Hit By Lawrie

Cheers Hobo, I can't even recognise my own quotes!!

kwinigolfer wrote:
This site is in a sorry state if you depend on PGA Tour action to galvanise interest, there needs to be more, surely?

Not sure what you mean by that Kwini - wasn't you who worried in the past that the golf section was far too "top heavy" with talk of club golf? (Apologies if it wasn't you or if I've somehow misrepresented what was said).

It seems to me that the club-golf talk has still been going on with discussions over clubs, grooves, trolleys. Also the OGWR discussions have been continuing.

The lack of an interesting PGA tournament (as well as the corresponding European Tour events) has meant that talk of pro-golf has been restricted - I'm sure that will come back as well, but I don't see that we are "relying" on the PGA tour action to any great degree

Not me Davie, Although I might have said something that was construed that way - not what I meant.
The PGA Tour notes have been holding up pretty well . . . . . seems about 2,000 "views" is the norm except for Majors.


PS: The Wyndham was quite exciting . . . . .

Fairy nuff - maybe I did misjudge what you said.

ask J-C VdV (would have been easier just typing his full name) if he would rather have been champion or third, sure he whould rater have been Open Champion

Hobo

The Tin Cup reference has been largely passed over, but I find it a very annoying film. The notion that Costner is some kind of people's champion against the faceless pro is rubbish in my opinion. He'll be remembered as the idiot that threw it away and nothing more. (Rene Russo's pathetic goading from the sidelines just capped it all off for me). Plus he'll be labelled a choker on here

VdV's situation is entirely different I think. He was trying to win the tournament (not trying to hit a career shot repeatedly from the same position), but made some, er, interesting choices.

As for the original question, it has to be Lawrie's career every time. Golf's record books are about winners. How often do we have the debate about the world's #1 and #2 not being major winners?

But as has been pointed out, VdV has made a career for himself following Carnoustie, and seems very open about it which is refreshing. His TV work has generally been excellent, and I for one hope we see more of him as a commentator/pundit in the future.

Who remembers Phil Rodgers or Dave Thomas or Jack Newton or Craig Wood? They all lost Open playoffs.

Thing is, Paul Lawrie's name will be on the claret jug for as long as it is played for, and long after people have forgotten all about Van de Velde.

Not sure where the argument comes from that VdV has earned more from his calamity than Lawrie. Have a look at Lawrie's web page and blog he still has plenty of sponsors and appears to be in high demand for company days and pro ams etc.

As far as careers go there is no comparison really, Lawrie has won 3 times as many times as VdV and won almost twice as much cash 9mill vs 4.5 mil. And he has one a major.

I'm not sure why Lawrie gets such a hard time on these boards from some. He may not have been the favourite but he has always been a decent golfer and he has conducted himself as an open champion with some grace. As Gael has pointed out you just need to have a look at his foundation web site.

Lawrie, Murray and Hoy all seem to get a hard time from a section of the British population. I wonder why?

Agree with MAC, silly thread bordering on wumming

To be fair...Van de Velde has gained quite a bit of fame based on his spectacular capitulation. Perhaps a lame example but he is the only non winner at Carnoustie to have one of the Hotel suites named after him.
Wonder if the minibar in the Van de Velde suite contains Triples and plenty of water

Jas
Do you have to take your socks and shoes off before entering said suite?