By John Gottlieb
The Phanatic Magazine
I know it's a little late, but how dare Tiger Woods skip the Barclays as the PGA tries to institute its new playoff system.
Tiger complained about the toll taken on his body playing in the previous two tourneys, but the PGA is the reason why Woods has a beautiful wife, millions upon millions of dollars, and will most likely hold every golfing record when his career is done.
Seriously, why is Tiger so tired? Because he collected over $2.6 million by winning the Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship.
But, Tiger should suck it up, get out there, and throw some legitimacy to the FedEx Cup, PGA's new playoff system that awards points to golfers through the final four tournaments of the season. Less and less golfers are allowed to take part in each successive tourney until a champion is crowned.
Leading to the FedEx Cup Tiger had more points than any other golfer, but didn't feel it was necessary to take part at the Barclays.
PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem played nice and said he was disappointed that Tiger decided not to come to New York, but imagine how steamed he really was that Woods backed out?
This is a convoluted, hard-to-understand playoff system, but that all would have been forgotten is Tiger was there.
Instead we were thankfully graced with a Sunday matchup of Steve Stricker and K.J. Choi.
Reportedly, Tiger doesn't enjoy the rowdy New York crowds and that could be the real reason why he skipped the Barclays, which he hasn't taken part in for the last few seasons.
Woods now finds himself in fourth place in the FedEx Cup standings, just over 4,000 points behind Stricker, heading into the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston this weekend.
The PGA should take a strong stance and make it that if you want to take part in the FedEx Cup then you have to take part in the first of the four tournaments.
I wonder if Tim Finchem would've been happier if Tiger hasn't won the PGA Championship?
Tiger is bigger than the sport of golf, but how's about giving something back to the PGA and taking part in the inaugural event of the inaugural FedEx Cup.
3 comments:
Guess you won't let this comment be shown, but whatever...
I'm sorry, but your delusional...
1. Tiger HAS given back to PGA way more he ever got from it! Don't take my word for it, and don't take the words of some columnists - take the words of various well respected players, who openly thanking him for being able to play for better and better purses and for playing in a game better recognized than ever, because of HIM!
2. If Tiger's absence destroys this whole "thing".... then there is something seriously wrong with it, don't you think so? Its success should by no means depend on one single person's attendance or absence
3. Verplank has just announced that he will rest out Deuchebank... I'm wondering... is he going to get all the hype and columns questioning him? Michelson insinuated much earlier that he might not plays all 4 events, and unless I'm remembering wrong, even Vijay was expressing some uncertainty whether he'd play all...
4. By the way... about being tired... You - as everybody else - seem to forget one important thing, which I believe IS the point: he's a competitor who wants to WIN when he plays... and he didn't think he was physically/mentally ready for that... that's all... is that so hard to understand?
Anyway... hating someone must be a sour feeling....
Who is this, Stephen A. Smith? Did you need any stamps to mail in this column?
...Where am I? I was in the middle of reading this column and I blacked out.
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