Why do the commentators say...

[ernesttbass]

Why do they say “they are battling it out” like a few weeks ago JT and Morikawa, JT made a 50 footer and Morikawa made a 25 footer “there battling it out? I thought golf was an individual sport, without any competition! Each player against the course low score wins, I did not think they played each other? Or are they just making it sound good?

 

[limpalong]

Perhaps the commentators get "Full Contact Golf" confused with PGA Golf. We don't see a lot of PFCG... Professional Full Contact Golf... still played in the U.S. When I was younger, we warmed up by having "full contact" with the sheep grazing the courses. That got us loosened up enough to try the same "full contact" with our competitors.
I agree. The players may watch the scoreboard to see where they are. If leading, they may play a little more conservative. If a stroke or two behind... or need to pick up a stroke or two to move up a notch in the money... we may see some risk taking. "No balls. No blue chips!"

 

[bdcrowe]

Why do they say “they are battling it out” like a few weeks ago JT and Morikawa, JT made a 50 footer and Morikawa made a 25 footer “there battling it out? I thought golf was an individual sport, without any competition! Each player against the course low score wins, I did not think they played each other? Or are they just making it sound good?

As long as there is a first place, they are battling each other. Especially when there is lots more money given to first place.