"There doesn't seem to be a groove - 
or people - at the Northern Trust Open" **

/

Jill Painter in the L.A. Daily News on Thursday's crowd at Riviera:

With the grooves controversy seemingly on hold now that Mickelson has taken the Ping Eye2 wedge out of his bag, not many people seemed to care anymore.

Mickelson had a nice gallery, obviously, and so did Ryo Ishikawa and a couple of others.

Ishikawa, decked out in an all-turquoise outfit from visor to sweater to pants, might have had more folks in his large media contingent, however.

Otherwise, Riviera was a ghost town.

Diane Pucin of the LA Times also noticed the tiny crowds and followed up on something you'll recall I was noted recently: the absurd ticket pricing.

A year ago a golf fan could buy a single-day grounds pass for the Northern Trust Open for $30. Some first-day attendees this year noted a marked increase. The single-day pass bought at the gate this year is $50, though if it had been bought in advance it would have been $35.

According to Mike Bone, tournament general manager, "The raised price reflects the PGA Tour's desire to elevate the event for all constituencies involved -- from fans to charities -- and helps to provide general fan enhancements that are debuting this year."

Bone cited a new food court called the Grove and extra bleachers as some of the enhancements.

"The price is still moderate enough compared to other Los Angeles sporting events," he said.

Anything looks moderate next to the price of a Lakers ticket.

Now, I point this pricing increase disaster out (and will continue to) for a couple of reasons.

A) In the hope that writers not present at the event but noticing the tiny crowds on television avoid the temptation to blame this on Tiger or the "post-Tiger" world of golf. 

B) To prevent bashing of LA sports fans. The LA Open used to be a wonderfully attended event. People would love to come out here but a $20 increase and $50 ticket is excessive. I mean, the PLAYERS is $65 and it's a major (it also recently included an option to pay $45 if you bought before the New Year).

C) To show what happens when the PGA Tour takes over an event and executives paid large sums of money try to decide what a tolerable price point is for the average person.