OT: Looks like a great Master's Sunday.....

[Swervin27]

Why would you not want to watch the best players? It is like saying I like watching baseball, but I root against the Dominicans and Venezuelans, or "I can't wait for the hockey playoffs, but I don't root for the Russian players".

Weird.

I find it funny and amusing to root against professional athletes based solely on their country of origin. cant think of an example where I do it but not that you brought it to light, I am going to start..

Regarding your hockey example, I've always rooted for Russian hockey players dating back to the infamous Red army days. they had this mystique about them.. found that European style more entertaining than the Canadian style. now it's just a vague stereotype but back in late 80's and even early 90's, there seemed to be a distinct "European style" and a "Canadian style."

 

[ERICCARTMAN]

Noticed a Steeler bumblebee game jersey in the crowd. I thought Augusta had a dress code.

 

[Swervin27]

I had $$ on Rose, but was happy to see Sergio win. That said, Rose really gave it away, as any of his short putts on 11 (to go up 3), 17, or even 18 probably seal the deal. But give Sergio credit, he hung in there after the lateral hazard, despite a shaky flat stick himself.

It's amazing how Sergio has become a fan favorite. I'm sure it's mostly due to the story line (best to have not won a major), but I think some of it is due to Tiger's demise, as Sergio used to be Tiger's (and the public's) whipping boy.

I remember a strong dislike for Sergio back in the day and I cant recall why. the whole "shot approach" of his where he would take about 8 "hiccups" before hitting it was annoying but I remember that turning into almost a subconscious thing for him, almost like a catcher not being able to throw it back to the pitcher... also recall him being quite arrogant in his younger days but not sure if that was perception or reality. But he's been under the radar for about a decade and I was kind of glad to see him win it..

 

[Swervin27]

Noticed a Steeler bumblebee game jersey in the crowd. I thought Augusta had a dress code.

they were talking about that on the Fan this morning.. Would have been funny had there been a terrible towel sighting..

 

[Pitt79]

I find it funny and amusing to root against professional athletes based solely on their country of origin. cant think of an example where I do it but not that you brought it to light, I am going to start..

Regarding your hockey example, I've always rooted for Russian hockey players dating back to the infamous Red army days. they had this mystique about them.. found that European style more entertaining than the Canadian style. now it's just a vague stereotype but back in late 80's and even early 90's, there seemed to be a distinct "European style" and a "Canadian style."

I always root for the Penguins. I remember in I think it was the '98 Winter Olympics, Czech Republic had 7 Pens on their team, Jagr, Straka, many others and Hasek was their goalie, I remember watching them play the USA and being totally unable to not root for the Penguins over the USA.

As for Sergio, good for him, I remember he was 18 and playing in a US Open, he hit a crazy shot next to a tree, everyone thought he was the next big thing, and never was, so I say congrats on finally making it big 18 years later. Now he has a grey beard and finally won a major.

 

[Swervin27]

I always root for the Penguins. I remember in I think it was the '98 Winter Olympics, Czech Republic had 7 Pens on their team, Jagr, Straka, many others and Hasek was their goalie, I remember watching them play the USA and being totally unable to not root for the Penguins over the USA.

As for Sergio, good for him, I remember he was 18 and playing in a US Open, he hit a crazy shot next to a tree, everyone thought he was the next big thing, and never was, so I say congrats on finally making it big 18 years later. Now he has a grey beard and finally won a major.

that's why I'd like to see the Olympics get rid of using professional athletes in hockey, baseball and especially basketball. It's an all star game, you lose the national identity and root for your favorite players instead of the country..

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Noticed a Steeler bumblebee game jersey in the crowd. I thought Augusta had a dress code.

Hey, Yinzers gonna yinz.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I always root for the Penguins. I remember in I think it was the '98 Winter Olympics, Czech Republic had 7 Pens on their team, Jagr, Straka, many others and Hasek was their goalie, I remember watching them play the USA and being totally unable to not root for the Penguins over the USA.

As for Sergio, good for him, I remember he was 18 and playing in a US Open, he hit a crazy shot next to a tree, everyone thought he was the next big thing, and never was, so I say congrats on finally making it big 18 years later. Now he has a grey beard and finally won a major.

It's weird on International Hockey. The best hockey series I ever saw was the 1987 Canada Cup with Canada/Russia playing a best of 3 for the championship. This was one of the last few years before the Russians and Czechs started to come over to the NHL, so there still was that "mysticism" on the Soviets. That Soviet (they were then) team had Fetisov in his prime, Kasatonov, Larionov, Makarov and Krutov. The Canada team has Gretzky, Messier, Coffey, Bourque, Gartner, Hawerchuk all in their primes, oh and some big, goofy French Canadian kid named Lemieux (who dominated and this was his coming out party). The best. Canada won the series 2 games to 1, all 3 games were 6-5 thrillers, 2 went to OT, the third Canada (Lemieux) scored the gamewinner with a little over a minute. The best.

I found myself then, like now, rooting for Mario or Sidney Crosby more than a USA team. A USA team with guys like Dubinsky or Kane and other players I hate. You will all get your wish most likely as the NHL has voted against sending NHL players to the next Olympics, but it will be boring and full of minor leaguers. I would rather watch the International Jr tourney over the Christmas and New Years Holidays for my feel of "nationalism" in regards to hockey.

When those former Iron Curtain countries started to send their players here, and all of a sudden a Jagr, a Malkin is the guy you are cheering for all year, hard to really demonize them like it was done in the Eighties.

 

[BFo8]

Noticed a Steeler bumblebee game jersey in the crowd. I thought Augusta had a dress code.

I wouldn't go that far, but I have worn my Pitt hat the last 2 years.