Golfer intentionally loses tournament to let another golfer win

[PhoenixSupreme]

Link to ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/golf/news/story?id=5168124)

Basically Grant Whybark, who plays for NAIA University of St. Francis (Ill.) intentionally double-bogey'd the playoff hole in his conference tournament to allow his opponent, Seth Doran of Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) to win the match, and thus, advance to the national tournament. Whybark had already previously qualified for the national tournament as did his team, so the conference tournament really had no impact on if he won or not, but Doran would have needed to win to play in the nationals.

Basically this brings up some controversy. Some believe Whybark's decision was an act of sportsmanship; others believe getting into the national championship tournament because an opponent deliberately lost a match was the wrong way to advance. What do you guys think?

[NHwildEcat]

You would like everyone competing to give an honest and straight forward effort. With that said, this guy obviously knew that if his opponent were to win and qualify, what an amazing opportunity it would be for him. A highlight in hsi gofl career.

If Whybark hadn't admited to tanking his round then this would be a non-issue. That might have been the best way for him to approach it.

However, it would be funny if Doran beats Whybark in the Nationals...THAT would be a pretty fun story.

[PhoenixSupreme]

I certainly don't have a problem with Whybark giving Doran the opportunity to play in the tournament considering Doran had a lot to gain by winning and Whybark nothing to lose by losing. If this was the PGA, there would definitely be issues and point shaving scandals being thrown around, but in amateur golf, it's just a great gesture.

Although I do feel kind of bad if Doran getting in knocked some other hopeful out of the tournament. I don't know if the collegiate golf tournaments have players' "bubble's burst", like the NCAA basketball tournament.

[Skjellyfetti]

It reminds me of the chapter in Freakonomics about Sumo wrestlers cheating similarly.

[ngineer]

It's true sportsmanship. It's about the trip, not the arrival. It's a game, pure and simple. As pointed out above, if it involved money or effecting a lot of people, then a different issue.

[BarefootApp]

Reminds me of "the concession" btween Nicklaus and Jacklin many years ago...was considered the ultimate in good sportsmanship, so I will go with that.

[th0m]

While on the one hand its a display of sportmanship, isn't it possible that by the qualification of this person, some other golfer from another conference wasn't able to qualify? Or are there an unlimited number of spots?

[NHwildEcat]

While on the one hand its a display of sportmanship, isn't it possible that by the qualification of this person, some other golfer from another conference wasn't able to qualify? Or are there an unlimited number of spots?

That is a good point. If it were the case that another golfer missed out on qualifying then it is no longer a case of good sportsmanship...

[bodoyle]

If Whybark hadn't admited to tanking his round then this would be a non-issue. That might have been the best way for him to approach it.

I think shanking it 40yds OB kinda makes it obvious even if he hadn't said anything.

If I was the other kid and he did that, I would have blasted one OB, cussed him out and said play straight up!

[ngineer]

As I understood the article, if he hadn't done that, he would have been the 'other' guy. No one else was 'hurt'. He still got to play with his team in the state finals, but not for individual honors....

[tribe_pride]

ngineer - from what I understand, you are correct.

That said, if I am the other guy, I don't want to qualify for nationals that way. It's not like he is a bad player. This was a playoff hole which means both guys are good players or at least both playing equally as well. The other guys may have qualified anyways but he will always be known as the guys who qualified for nationals because someone else let him.

[Big Al]

This discussion reminds me of the chapter in Freakonomics that discusses the motivations for sumo wrestlers to throw matches.