"Mickey Mouse event", "Ratings disaster"- Fans react as preferred lies come into play during round 1 of Presidents Cup

Montreal was all set to host the 2024 Presidents Cup, however, the city overnight showers on the eve of the tournament. While the weather conditions didn't delay the start of the biennial event, it did create a change of rules for round 1. Owing to the rains, preferred lies will be used for four-ball matches on Thursday.

For the unversed, preferred lies allow players to take free relief when their ball is in a part of the general area that's cut to fairway height or less. This change of rules will enable golfers to lift, clean, and place their balls in closely mown areas.

As the announcement of using preferred lies for round 1 came, it attracted a slew of reactions. A majority of the comments from fans were negative. Some doubted the credibility of the PGA Tour while some believed this would bring down the seriousness of the Presidents Cup.

"Mickey Mouse event"

"Unserious organization." one fan wrote.

"This immediately brings the PC down a level. Are these guys actual Tour pros or 20 handicappers?? What a joke!!" another added.

"PGA Golf has evolved into an absolute joke. I wish the players had to take a week off each year and put up with watching on the networks. Pathetic. Preferred Lies in the Presidents cup is just icing on the moldy cake," one fan ranted.

Many fans thought the preferred lies change would cause a decline in viewership while some believed that the players were being coddled by the PGA Tour:

"Lol. Ratings disaster"

"Pampered" one fan said.

While the news of the preferred lies may be unsatisfactory to the fans given that Royal Montreal incurred approximately three-quarters of an inch of rain last night, this new change might have been the best way to go forward. So far preferred lies has only been adopted for the first round.

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What would be the weather conditions for the remaining days of Presidents Cup?

2024 Presidents Cup - Day One (Source: Getty)

Montreal had suffered a rainy August. The Royal Montreal Golf Club had 10 inches of rain last month with one flooding event that closed the course for a few days. The showers in August resulted in the agronomy team having a difficult time mowing the rough. This meant that it would be rather thick this week.

While the Canadian city has been experiencing rain since Wednesday, they are expected to decrease later this week. Passing showers are expected on Thursday afternoon but it would be no more than 1/10 of an inch. Otherwise, the skies should be clear from Friday onwards.

So, as per the forecast, the remaining days of the 2024 Presidents Cup should go ahead without any weather hindrance.