Daniel Berger WDs after 1 shot, makes $50,500

[Shilgy]

Ya know what? Some of you are right. It is crappy that he had to show up to collect money he had EARNED. Part of the deal with using the World Rankings for certain limited field events is that if you qualify you are in. Not taking anyone's spot if you do not play as they did not qualify. So even if they are injured they should collect last place money. Call it unofficial if you want. Don't give them Fedex cup points if you do not want to. But they earned the payday with their play.

You and I have a different opinion of earned.

Did you know that if I guy is voted to play in the baseball all star game he gets his contract performance bonus** even if he is injured and does not play?

 

**Assuming the clause in the contract which most players do.

[tannyhoban]

Analogies will get you nowhere. Berger made a bad move. Simple as that. He doesnt get paid unless he tees it up, which he did. And then promptly turned hiney and bolted.

 

I've watched the tour grow through the years here and it's getting disconnected in oh so many ways.

 

The Tour motto oughta be "These guys HAVE IT so good." I don't begrudge anyone earning, but ya know, give a little effort.

 

Berger is crap in my book.

[MtlJeff]

50K is roughly 2% of his last year's earnings.

 

By comparison it's like someone making 100K a year getting the opportunity to hit 1 shot for 2000$.

 

I don't know many people that wouldn't do it

 

His total career earnings are 5M and he's a young guy. Life is unpredictable, it was a smart choice to take the easy 47K or whatever it was after travel

[tannyhoban]

Just because you can doen't mean you should. I really felt like he wussed out with his earlier WGC wd too.

 

If I were in his shoes I'd wd proper and donate the cash to the NF Foundation.

 

But hey, that's just me.

[moonshine]

Baseball and basketball players laugh at this they get paid millions for getting cut / designated for assignment. Josh Smith, Carl Crawford, Rusney Castillo, Jose Reyes and the list goes on.

Exactly what I was thinking. Berger earned his spot, no one can replace him, so why not show up and get the money and ranking points. Teixeira is hitting .192 and making over $20m a year. Ryan Howard is hitting .151 after being at the lofty levels of .223 and .229 the lst two years and continues to collect $25m a year.

Not even close to the same thing....you think these guys want to play poorly? Besides, contract is a contract. Mets had a first baseman years back get hurt playing and developed arthritis similar to what ended Bo Jackson. Was that his fault? He could not play but got paid for his contract. I need more background but if he flew to Akron knowing what he was going to do yes it is BS. If he was hurt earlier this week different story.

[DavePelz4]

Bobby Bonilla is being paid $1.193M by the Mets each July 1 through 2035 even though he hasn't and won't play for the Mets ever again. Some people always find a way to leverage the rules to their benefit.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/16650867/why-mets-pay-bobby-bonilla-119-million-today-every-july-1-2035

[RobertBaron]

I would imagine there must be some bonuses or stipulations in many tour player's contracts with language that rewards playing in X number of WGC events or Majors or a minimum number of tour events.

 

Without knowing all the background info as to DB's motivation it's possible to hypothesize that maybe he gets a $100,000 bonus from his OEM sponsor for playing in a WGC event. Maybe there's an even bigger bonus if he plays all 4.

 

Anyway, it sounds crappy on paper but the fact of the matter is, he's a young player who doesn't have a $100 million sponsorship. So 50k could be meaningful for him and he gets his caddy paid for the week.

 

Really the WGC is to blame for creating this silly loophole. Either pay them outright if they don't play or make it a minimum of 2 rounds before withdrawing to get the last place check.

[Shilgy]

Bobby Bonilla is being paid $1.193M by the Mets each July 1 through 2035 even though he hasn't and won't play for the Mets ever again. Some people always find a way to leverage the rules to their benefit.

 

http://espn.go.com/m...ery-july-1-2035

The Mets decided to pay that rather than $5m and change in 2000. Some wise guy decided paying $29m over 25 years after 10 years deferred was better than paying the $5m then. IMO great deal for Bonilla but the Mets were the ones that wanted him to wait for the money rather than just paying him. Interesting from the story you attached how no one seems to talk about Strawberry getting paid by the Mets through 2033 as well.

[tannyhoban]

Bobby Bonilla is being paid $1.193M by the Mets each July 1 through 2035 even though he hasn't and won't play for the Mets ever again. Some people always find a way to leverage the rules to their benefit.

 

http://espn.go.com/m...ery-july-1-2035

The Mets decided to pay that rather than $5m and change in 2000. Some wise guy decided paying $29m over 25 years after 10 years deferred was better than paying the $5m then. IMO great deal for Bonilla but the Mets were the ones that wanted him to wait for the money rather than just paying him. Interesting from the story you attached how no one seems to talk about Strawberry getting paid by the Mets through 2033 as well.

 

Umm, probably because this is a golf forum? You know, the game that espouses honor and integrity.

[tannyhoban]

I find it interesting that Bubba gets absolutely trashed in these forums for donating his time and money and Berger gets a pass.

 

Berger's awfully fragile for a 23 year old "stud".

[Shilgy]

Bobby Bonilla is being paid $1.193M by the Mets each July 1 through 2035 even though he hasn't and won't play for the Mets ever again. Some people always find a way to leverage the rules to their benefit.

 

http://espn.go.com/m...ery-july-1-2035

The Mets decided to pay that rather than $5m and change in 2000. Some wise guy decided paying $29m over 25 years after 10 years deferred was better than paying the $5m then. IMO great deal for Bonilla but the Mets were the ones that wanted him to wait for the money rather than just paying him. Interesting from the story you attached how no one seems to talk about Strawberry getting paid by the Mets through 2033 as well.

 

Umm, probably because this is a golf forum? You know, the game that espouses honor and integrity.

And if you noticed I was replying to a baseball comment.

 

You think Berger is some kind of low life for collecting what he had earned even though unable to play in this event and some of us do not think it is much of an issue. Koepka played less than a full round and Love posted one round. They are both collecting cash for the event as well. Based on a couple of the scores it looks like some are playing but without a lot of effort aka mailing it in.

 

Have a great 4th weekend,

[knock it close]

Analogies will get you nowhere. Berger made a bad move. Simple as that. He doesnt get paid unless he tees it up, which he did. And then promptly turned hiney and bolted.

 

I've watched the tour grow through the years here and it's getting disconnected in oh so many ways.

 

The Tour motto oughta be "These guys HAVE IT so good." I don't begrudge anyone earning, but ya know, give a little effort.

 

Berger is crap in my book.

Its damn good to have land. Pay the kid

[Shilgy]

I find it interesting that Bubba gets absolutely trashed in these forums for donating his time and money and Berger gets a pass.

 

Berger's awfully fragile for a 23 year old "stud".

I will agree with you on the Bubba part. Personally not a fan but I think that off the course he and his wife have big hearts and do very well by a lot of great causes. He sometimes deserves to get abused a bit on the forum over his golf course behavior but certainly no excuse to get abused on the WV thread.

[abarkley]

Would I do it? Probably not. Do I have a problem with it? Nope. Kid EARNED his card and his spot in the tourney.

[URStillAway]

FOUL! I had him in my draft kings!

 

I entered 3 lineups. He was on 2 of them. Koepka on the other. ☹️

[bscinstnct]

Why didnt he keep playing?

 

 

"Berger hit a drive 307 yards down the first fairway before citing a shoulder injury as his reason for withdrawal."

 

http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/16648675/one-swing-nets-daniel-berger-50500-wgc-bridgestone-invitational

 

After that drive, just go hit another shot, no?

 

Ya cant just walk over to the ball and hit one more shot?

 

Then, who knows, you might feel ok?

 

50gs still nice for hitting one ball, though.

[mark m]

Bergler

[johnnypro]

He's a piece of $hit in my book.

Imagine the balls of hitting it 300+ down the first fairway then getting to your ball, picking it up and telling your playing mates "sorry, fellas. Bad shoulder. I'm outta here."

If there's a God, he'll MC for the rest of his life. With the same injury.

[Shilgy]

I guess the kid from Texas should rot in H*** as well? Hossler would hit a good tee shot and then grasp his shoulder in pain. Bailed on his team in the final match. Of course we then found out he had a torn labrum and needed surgery. But based on the quality of his shots her could have played I guess.

[tannyhoban]

I guess the kid from Texas should rot in H*** as well? Hossler would hit a good tee shot and then grasp his shoulder in pain. Bailed on his team in the final match. Of course we then found out he had a torn labrum and needed surgery. But based on the quality of his shots her could have played I guess.

 

Is that the case here?

 

I'm guessing Berger just needs to switch hands once in awhile to prevent sore shoulder.

[Shilgy]

I guess the kid from Texas should rot in H*** as well? Hossler would hit a good tee shot and then grasp his shoulder in pain. Bailed on his team in the final match. Of course we then found out he had a torn labrum and needed surgery. But based on the quality of his shots her could have played I guess.

 

Is that the case here?

 

I'm guessing Berger just needs to switch hands once in awhile to prevent sore shoulder.

No idea Tanny but I really doubt he showed up to hit one shot and then went on vacation. Guessing he really is hurt.

[Shilgy]

I guess the kid from Texas should rot in H*** as well? Hossler would hit a good tee shot and then grasp his shoulder in pain. Bailed on his team in the final match. Of course we then found out he had a torn labrum and needed surgery. But based on the quality of his shots her could have played I guess.

 

Is that the case here?

 

I'm guessing Berger just needs to switch hands once in awhile to prevent sore shoulder.

Just looked on gc and it said he hurt it last week practicing. Betting he was hoping to be able to go and decided not to risk it. Odd thing was he had to WD from the wgc match play after hitting his hand on a rock during a swing. #32 in the world I'm sure he would rather play.

[tannyhoban]

I guess the kid from Texas should rot in H*** as well? Hossler would hit a good tee shot and then grasp his shoulder in pain. Bailed on his team in the final match. Of course we then found out he had a torn labrum and needed surgery. But based on the quality of his shots her could have played I guess.

 

Is that the case here?

 

I'm guessing Berger just needs to switch hands once in awhile to prevent sore shoulder.

Just looked on gc and it said he hurt it last week practicing. Betting he was hoping to be able to go and decided not to risk it. Odd thing was he had to WD from the wgc match play after hitting his hand on a rock during a swing. #32 in the world I'm sure he would rather play.

 

Here's the thing for me. As a spectator I expect professional athletes to aspire to be great, that's why they're pros. If Berger knew after one shot he was wd, then he knew well before the round. He gamed the system. That's cashing a check, the antithesis of aspiring to greatness in my book. So it was Unprofessional.

 

I don't think it bodes well for him competitively as he lets a nick prevent him from playing.

[moonshine]

Noles = entitlement

[McCann1]

I guess the kid from Texas should rot in H*** as well? Hossler would hit a good tee shot and then grasp his shoulder in pain. Bailed on his team in the final match. Of course we then found out he had a torn labrum and needed surgery. But based on the quality of his shots her could have played I guess.

 

Is that the case here?

 

I'm guessing Berger just needs to switch hands once in awhile to prevent sore shoulder.

I've read your posts in this thread and posts similar to yours and all I've got to say is y'all must be some sad, sad individuals. You know absolutely NOTHING about the situation other than 1.) Berger said he had a shoulder injury and WD'd and 2.) He still collected a check for 48k.

 

Other than that you are speculating the severity of his injury, what his intentions were, and judging this entire man's character off of a situation that you only know two things about. Grow up, shut up, and learn what's going on before you come to conclusions and doubt something as serious as a man's word.

 

Golfers that do this for a living are always playing with some sort of nagging injury and someone young like him needs to protect his future. Heck I've had days where I knew I wasn't 100% and I thought I could play. I warm up and feel fine but then get to that first tee and feel a little more tense and after a swing, or two, or 10, I know it's not right and I need to rest whatever is bothering me.

 

Clearly, you don't understand one thing about playing golf as much as those guys do. I suggest you look at it from their perspective instead of the perspective of the perfect fan who thinks they know everything about the game and what these PROS should do.

[awil]

Unmentioned point , if he withdrew and collected the money . He then could donate it and write it off.also fair to assume he gets taylormade money for teeing it up that week , fulfills sponsors requirements for amount of events played for his logos etc.

[MtlJeff]

i can't imagine any single person i know not doing the same thing. I'm sure he WAS injured or else why not play and try to make more? And if you can hit one shot and pocket 50K without hurting anyone (the purse is not distributed to the homeless if he doesn't take it)...only an idiot wouldn't do it

 

When a big box store mistakenly lists an Ipad or whatever for an incorrect price, people don't run to the store and tell them "no sir, i understand it's a mistake, i want to pay full price"...If you can get a tax rebate for something everyone does it, they don't tell their accountant not to do it. Their are independant contractors all over who are getting tax credits for something they would've bought anyway, or people getting money for dependants who happen to have wealthy parents, or people taking severance from a company even though they have a new job already....blah blah blah x100. There's tons of examples of everyday people who do the same stuff. 9999 out of 10000 people don't turn down free money.

 

An anvil could fall on Berger tomorrow. He'd be insane not to make as much money as he can right now.

[knock it close]

I guess the kid from Texas should rot in H*** as well? Hossler would hit a good tee shot and then grasp his shoulder in pain. Bailed on his team in the final match. Of course we then found out he had a torn labrum and needed surgery. But based on the quality of his shots her could have played I guess.

 

Is that the case here?

 

I'm guessing Berger just needs to switch hands once in awhile to prevent sore shoulder.

Have you seen his date? Probably doesn't do much solo work.

[rockinar]

He shouldn't donate jack squat to charity and he's not obligated to do it. He's not out there playing for charity. He's playing for money, and it's not anyone's business to tell him what he should do with it.

[playa]

Just because you can doen't mean you should. I really felt like he wussed out with his earlier WGC wd too.

 

If I were in his shoes I'd wd proper and donate the cash to the NF Foundation.

 

But hey, that's just me.

Easy to be sure with hypotheticals and nothing on the line. Ive always laughed at people who are so vocal and opinionated about what other people should do with their lives.