We finally had our first elimination on last night's installment of Big Break Kaanapali, and for those of you who've been complaining that it took three episodes for the ax to fall, all I can say is I hope it was worth the wait (and if you paid attention to the preview of next week's episode at the end of the show, you may have picked up on the fact that TWO players will be cut in episode four, so your thirst for blood should be fully satisfied after that). Speaking of waiting, if it wasn't blatantly evident on TV (it is, after all, only an hour-long show), the short-game elimination challenge that eventually felled our token rocker chick Cirbie Sheppard took fo-or-ev-er. I started out that day four months pregnant and ended it ready to give birth. It was remarkable; Andrew and I clocked Cirbie laboring over one of her last long putts and she took FOUR MINUTES AND 50 SECONDS to decide on her line and club selection. (And it was a hot, steamy day, as you may have noticed from the umbrellas that the rest of the contestants pulled out to shield themselves from the sun as they were watching this putting marathon.) After that, the producers asked Cirbie to speed it up or we'd lose daylight.

But I have to reiterate that the pressure of these eliminations is unlike anything the players have ever faced before, so it's perfectly understandable that some of them have a hard time sticking to their normal routines. There is no way to describe just how much tension is in the air; I know some viewers think that Andrew and I sound overly dramatic when we narrate what's happening, but every shot is truly nerve-wracking to watch in person. With countless cameras on you, and the knowledge that everyone you know -- plus millions of people you don't -- will see your every move and there are no do-overs, even the best of these players can crack.

That's not to suggest Cirbie was the best of the Kaanapali Twelve, or even close. She was, clearly, the worst, and as she admits in her exit interview (which will air tonight on Golf Central but is already up on the Golf Channel website), fully expected to be the first player to go home.  But to those who've been on Cirbie's case from the get-go and claim she didn't deserve to be there, I'd like to point out that this girl is no rookie. She is a professional golfer who plays on the Cactus Tour and who hit some beautiful golf shots in her audition. So don't count her out completely; we may hear from her again.

As for the 11 survivors of last night's episode, the real game is now on. We may have had a predictable first woman out, but from here on in, the surprises just keep on coming. Next week, I guarantee, will be a doozy.