"Doral encourages a style of play that is crowd-pleasing"

The effort to democratize Trump Doral failed. Thankfully.

After much groaning from those who can only carry drives 260-285 about the Blue Monster's inequity, the PGA Tour, Gil Hanse and Donald Trump shifted some bunkers, filled some spots in and narrowed a few spots. Adam Scott hit exactly 50% of his fairways en route to a win over only players who have an extra distance gear.

Did anyone mind?

Sure, a few key birdies would have been fun for the paying spectators Sunday at the 2016 WGC Cadillac, but the drama and intrigue was nonetheless there. As Jaime Diaz points out in the latest Golf World, this is the kind of leaderboard people want.

Doral is often criticized for disproportionately favoring long hitters, which it probably does. But so does Augusta National and St. Andrews. A main indicator of talent in golf is clubhead speed, which allows the possibility of power and creativity when combined with skill. Doral has most rewarded those players who drive the ball long and straight, and who also can use power to produce fast-stopping approach shots and curve the ball out of trouble. It’s the special kind of golf that is the most fun to watch.

I would expand on that point and say Doral has always been a place for the power player to shine. In a sport where driver is so often taken away from the modern player because of narrowing or design dynamics changing with modern distances, it's refreshing to see these players have a chance to use the big stick on so many key holes.

Now they just need to find a sponsor.