Sports

The USGA runs this tournament and is in no way connected to that new Saudi backed merger.
So, even if one is boycotting the PGA Tour, one could watch this tournament.
As to the rough, you have proven you haven't watched much of it.
The rough is BRUTALLY thick & ankle deep.
There is a shot out of the rough every couple minutes where we as viewers can't see the ball, at all.
The issue here is that the course is so firm it's playing shorter than it's listed distance, and they had PERFECT conditions on Thursday. Except for McIlroy, the guys at the top have been 1 or 2 under since Friday.
Your perception of what's going on is substantially in error.