Mythanatos: if you move out of the rookie showdown and into the veteran you won't see any of that.
You suggestion is a good one and definitely fuel for thought. I tried the Veteran Showdown twice, the first time I did not qualify and the last time, I got knocked out during elimination. Notwithstanding, that was a few months ago and I have gotten a little better. I will try Veteran again next Rush or Showdown.
Mythanatos: This is why a reroll hack/amateur has such an advantage. They are much closer to the greens
If a hack, or Amateur is a "true" beginner, it should not matter what tee box they use. Mistakes will still be made, scores will still be high, at least for a little while, until they get used to the game and VEM. It does not bother me that they can use short tees during the Showdowns.
In this instance, we have a member who just started two days ago and is sitting, as of now, in 4th place of the second round with a - 8 (my first post said -5 but I was mistaken. It is -8). The top 3, so far, are a Champion, a Legend and me.
I have been thinking about Boss' and AKD's replies above, and some of Robert's in other threads. I am torn between reporting the member because we should "pick up the trash", or just enjoying the game for what it is, and let members like that do their thing if it so important to them to win coins or sponsor boxes or whatever.
I like to play in the showdowns, they are fun. I play for that reason, not what prize I may win, people who have to cheat in a game like this just really irks me. It seems so prevalent that, if I keep "picking up the trash" it will be to the point that we will need a landfill.
Maybe the Answer is not having us policing the leaderboards but for WGT to do it, kind of like drug testing the winners after a sporting event. It would not be difficult for WGT to review the top 10 before finalizing the results. They should do this in every event where a prize is awarded. As an alternative, do it randomly. If a member knows that WGT does random reviews of winners, then maybe less will take the chance.
It should be noted, as for the first member I reported, the 2nd profile was suspended, not the member's original profile. So, he was ejected from the Showdown, not suspended from the game. He continues under his original profile. I think that is also a problem. If you are caught cheating, you should be suspended, not simply lose the use of the second account.
Maybe it is time for criminal reform on WGT ....