AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > August > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPGA’s FedEx Cup won’t fly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
Gentlemen, start your drivers! Put your 3-metal to the pedal. The FedEx Cup is upon us.
Strange, you say. “I thought we’d already played the four majors,” and they have. This is the, shall we say, “second season.” None of the four major championships belongs to the PGA Tour. The tour has its Players Championship, and likes to think of it as “the fifth major,” but that won’t sell historically.
So, commissioner Tim Finchem came up with his own creation, the FedEx Cup, a title shared with FedEx, its benefactor, and modeled, no less, after NASCAR’s Chase for the Nextel Cup, a sort of race-off among the top 12 in the points standings with 10 races remaining on the schedule.
Now, the tour “race-off” starts this week with the Barclays at Westchester in New York, then the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston, then the BMW Championship near Chicago. The “regular season” ends in Greensboro today, and the 144 FedEx point leaders move into center ring for the scramble for the Tour Championship at East Lake in mid-September. Last year, you may recall, both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson passed up the grand finale, the Tour’s showpiece, and this did not set well at all. Not that this snub fueled the FedEx Cup. That was already in motion, but like a jigsaw puzzle, pieces were still being slipped into place. Fact is, they still are.
A lot of us want to know what happens to those who don’t make the 144-player FedEx list, and are left without a game once the run to East Lake cranks up. After each of the playoff tournaments, a number of players are lopped off until, at the Tour Championship, the field is sized down to 30 survivors. What happens to those players eliminated during the qualifiers?
The Tour Championship was moved up nearly two months to avoid the November football rage. The main local competition is Georgia Tech’s game with Boston College. Georgia has a workout game with Western Carolina, and the Falcons are in Jacksonville. So much for that fret.
Next concern — will the Tour get the major boost it expects between its marquee players at East Lake? Woods had committed to play the table, from the Barclays to the Tour Championship, but he has already pulled out of the Barclays. That would have been stretching his customary schedule. Rarely does he ever play two tournaments in a row, but he already has, between Akron and Southern Hills. If he follows through, from the AT&T in July to the Tour Championship in September, that would have been eight tournaments in roughly two and a half months, something he has never done before.
But there’s another commitment here. Finchem gave him his own tournament near Washington on the Fourth of July weekend, the AT&T Congressional. One hand washes the other. He owes Finchem one, all the way down to East Lake, and no way he can bail out on him this time, and there is a $10 million payout to the player who wins the FedEx Cup, highest payoff to any champion in any sport. The entire purse comes to $35 million. Players get a double dip in the three qualifying tournaments, for the Barclays, the Deutsche and the BMW all offer $7 million payouts on the spot.
Money is no issue with Woods. The tour is the stage on which he performs and creates his endorsement connections. For that matter, it isn’t cash in hand, anyway. At first the payout was referred to as an annuity, then later it was changed to “deferred compensation.” Thus, players don’t collect their winnings until they retire from tour competition, and not before they reach age 45, this affirmed by the office of Bob Combs, vice president of communications.
This might be a threat to the prosperity of the Champions Tour, for how many seniors might decide to take early retirement with a fat deferred payment there to be collected?
If all of this sounds complicated to you, join the crowd. I’m not sure the PGA Tour is sure just how it all will work out down the road, this, a sort of shakedown cruise into the great unknown. Especially, should Tiger Woods stay the course, for in the long run all that would do is simply reconfirm him as the champion of the year, and we already knew that.
Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment | Categories: Furman Bisher
Comments
By Parnold Aalmer
August 18, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
It’s not Tiger’s fault, but he has become bigger than the sport. Any tournament without him is considered second rate. Tiger pulling out of the first round of the “PLAYOFFS” may end up killing the FedEx Cup before it even gets started.
By Tigerless
August 18, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
Parnold Aalmer - No one is bigger than the sport.
By jam
August 18, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
Tiger wants to be the FIRST ever FEDEX cup winner. He has a big lead and can afford to rest.
By Grampus
August 19, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
I say put them all in a cage and let them fight it out with their fists like real men do. No more using those sissy clubs.
By Parnold Aalmer
August 19, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Jam, It doesn’t matter how big Tiger’s lead is. The points are reset in the playoffs , so a 1 point lead is the same as a 10000 point lead. If the PGA was serious about it’s PLAYOFFS, it would have required all qualifiers to play in every event. As it is, Tiger has diminished the FedEx Cup, but hey, the PGA allowed him to do it.
By Bill Ratledge
August 19, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
If each week players are eliminated, how can a player, like Woods, skip one week and still compete in those weeks he wishes too.
By tpeguk
August 19, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
Look guys, you dont even have real golf courses over there, they are all nicely manicured and done up like a high school prom girl! you’ve been stuffed at the Ryder Cup in past years and have to keep re inventing tournements to give you something to win - if this was for charity then no one would turn up, we hear you all want to win titles the money isn’t important. Tiger is right to play for himself when it suits him
By Dale Smith
August 19, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
This has been an excellent assessment of the Fedex Championship. Tiger Woods is BY FAR the odds-on favorite for this series of events and, as expected, he’ll surely win it. For him, it’s just another way to gather endorsements. For the regular PGA player, this is “chasing Tiger”.
This wouldn’t have happened during the Nicklaus/Watson/Player….era. Back then, it wasn’t all about money. Today? It’s all about money.
By Intelperson
August 19, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Tiger Woods is by far the best player in the world. Most players with that status would honor their commitments.
Some won’t.
We know which Tiger is.
By Smithy
August 19, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
Dale Smith….thanks for the honest assessment. We ALL know that Tiger has set himself up as “someone special” and most of us know that his tirades and foul language and attitudes on the courses are N O T what the Tour needs.
But, of course, it’s important to be politically correct so the reporting on John Daly and the TV coverage of the anger by many of the other PGA players will definately not be shown when it concerns the almighty Tiger.
By JimmyP
August 19, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
Is there someone that doesn’t think that Tiger Woods isn’t an Icon because he’s not only the most proficient golfer in the world but because he’s black?
How many of the previous white golfers had the coverage the Tiger has had?
It’s all about money. There is a post here about that and I agree wholeheartedly.
By Dale Smith
August 19, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this
Golf has fallen prey to MONEY.
It’s all about the players getting money, the PGA officials getting money and the advertisers getting money.
It’s a shame.
Only difference between the very few professional golfers that make a fortune playing golf and the professional football and basketball players making a fortune playing their particular sport is that the professional golfer must perform to earn his/her living.
By Scott
August 19, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
When they first announced the new FedEx cup tournament they knew that Tiger may not make 1 or 2 of these due to having a new born baby. I personally commend Tiger for taking the week of and being with his family, as there is nothing more important.
By Tracy Jones
August 19, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Tiger has a big lead and can afford to rest?
I disagree. The point reset is way too tight. Consider these scenarios…
Tiger will lose his lead in the FedEx point standings if any of the following occur: If any of the top 59 seeds win the Barclays. If any top 20 seed finishes 2nd. If any top 9 seed finishes 3rd, or better If any top 8 seed finishes 4th, or better. If any of the top 4 seeds finish 5th or better or Any of the top 3 finish 6th or better.
E.g. If Vijay places 10th or better, Furyk top 7, Mikelson top 5…
Tiger WILL NOT have the FedEx point lead after the Barclays, and will be playing catch up. He should have played, if only to solidify his position, and keep the other players chasing. My prediction? Tiger falls to 4th after the Barclays, and then will need to put 3 solid tournaments together.
Okay, so who wins the FedEx cup? Well, Tiger, of course. I suppose that makes my argument moot.
By GE
August 20, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
The FEDEX Cup is a stupid idea. This is like the NBA where the season is extended too long in order to get TV money. Just keep the a one time tourney for the top money winners at the end of the season at East Lake and hope that Tiger and Phil show up for the compeitition. They do not need the money.
I like golf but I like Tiger even more. It just is not the same when he does not play.
By squeezeindecatur
August 20, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
Tiger hasn’t played for the money since he first joined the Tour!! His first contract with Nike made him set for life and freed him up to just worry about the golf!!
He is playing for history and to create a legacy as the greatest golfer of all time. I would say that he is well on his way given his current record. I’m a Tiger fan, but I’m a golf fan first and I pretty much watch the coverage each week. However, there is a palpable difference when Tiger is in the field, especially in the ratings.
We all know that Tiger loves a challenge and he especially loves to challenge himself — that why he has made two major swing changes in his career. Maybe skipping the first event in the FedEx Cup series is another one of these “self-challenges”. However, the man is driven by winning and I would bet your left nut that he wants to be the first winner of the FedEx Cup b/c he would be creating history again!!
By Wes
August 20, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
Hey Bill,
It works like this. The points are reset at the beginning of the “playoff” but still reflect the order going into it. Therefore, Tiger’s points are reset to 100,000 and he sill leads Vijay who has 99,000, Jim Furyk has 98,500 and so on. Tiger probably won’t be in the lead after this week, but will still be a sure lock for the top 120 who make the next event.
By Dennis G. Berdanis
August 20, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher, I’m hoping your memory is better than what I find on the internet. I remember going to a game, I believe in 1974 where Buzz Capra had a long scoreless inning streak going. I believe it stretched over the end of 1973 and the beginning of 1974 and got up in the 40 or more innings range. The game I saw was against the Mets and Buzz through shutout and had a no hitter broken up in the 9th when former Brave, Felix Millon singled for the only hit.
I remember Buzz was getting close to Don Drysdale’s record 56 inning streak. But now when I see articles like on Arizona’s Webb they say that 42 innings is the most since Drysdale’s streak. Can you confirm or possibly even write up an article on Buzz’s great streak with the Braves?
By Bill Bennett
August 20, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this
Furman:
Please send these comment to Tim Finchem. From a 30 year attendee of the Tournament Players Championship, TPC, Players, and a frequent attendee of the Masters, the 4 majors and the Ryder/President Cup are plenty of golf even for the avid golf fans. I will not watch the Fed Ex events as most sports fans are done with golf after the PGA Championship. I will not watch the Fed Ex Cup or any other thing the commissioner comes up with. It is time for football all over the country. Go Dawgs, Gators, Buckeyes, Ducks, Trogans, etc. College football rules the fall season. See you at Pebble Beach.
Albany Duffer
By Dan Cook
August 21, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
How odd is this? Vick’s dog operation near Smithfield, Va., with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals about 20 miles away in Norfolk, Va. PETA didn’t have far to go to look for a subject.
By Bubba
August 21, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
As a NASCAR Fan I must voice my concern regarding the Fed-Ex Cup being likened to the Nextel Chase. Since when does a chase require 5 1/2 hours to complete 1 circuit of the “track” ? As well, I don’t think even Jackie Chan or the “Rush Hour” folks could sustain a chase that was that long & slow. Do it like the World series of Poker… $100,000 Entrance Fee…72 holes winner takes all…Wanna see some yips?
By ron
August 21, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Mr.Micheal Vick made the cite look bad real bad
By ron
August 21, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
it sad the the city
By alfred
August 21, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Well said ron! lol
By walker
August 21, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
In the world according to who? Who are you? Who the hell are you???!!!!
By samiam
August 23, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
You guys sound like a bunch of girls because of the money that he makes. If it was mickleson, it would be ok.
The players have all said that they wouldn’t make the money that they make if it wasn’t for him (TV contracts etc.)
By Donald Traumpt
August 23, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Fedex’s ten million is all hype! Tiger wont see a cent of it for 20-30 years, when he retires. If you want the public and the pros to treat this as something special, showoff a pile of five million in cash and reset all the points to 0. Keep it down to one big event! The trophy/cup is cool though. I’ll bet Fedex is so cheap they will keep it and make it perpetual.
By ForePlayer
August 26, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
If no one player is bigger than the sport, then why does it matter so much to you people if Tiger skips an event? Has the winner of a ‘Tiger-less’ event ever offered to give his fat pay-check back because he didn’t feel he earned it without beating TW? Guess not, eh? Professional golf has ALWAYS been about the money, more or less. When Arnie, Jack N., Johnny Miller, etc, played there was much LESS money; both in purses and endorsements. The players HAD to play in every event they could in order to maximize their earning power while it lasted. Today, in the time of Tiger, Els, Vijay, etc, there is much MORE money. The top players skip tournaments all the time. Why should Tiger wear himself out playing these golf-indu$try-PGA-created, $elf-promoting, alphabet-$ponsered junk events when he doesn’t need the money? Because YOU, the golf fan, get all b*** and whiny when he doesn’t appear? Oh, PU-LEEZE! Tiger Woods has beaten — like a drum — every player on the tour. He beats them and MAKES them like it, lol! How many times does he have to beat these same golfers in yet another “North- East-West-South-Tournament Player’s-Nabisco/FDX/AT&T-Bank of America-Challenge/Open/Invitational/Skins-Game/Pro/Am/Challenge-For-The-Domination-Of-The-Planet-Earth” so the PGA fat cat$ & and blood-$uckers can continue to feed off of and bask in his magic? Know why it’s called the”PGA”?…’cause “$$$” was already taken.
By OG
August 26, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Sporting events carry prestige with age. Tiger’s capture, for example, of a green jacket carries more weight with the television viewer than does his capture of the FedEx Cup due to the tradition behind the celebrated, virescent blazer. Likewise, it’s easy to get caught up in heated debate over the validity of college football’s newfangled BCS championship, but I should think football purists maintain a deeper respect for the Rose Bowl. If I were chairman of the board of a PGA Tour sponsor, I would be quick to create as many new television events as possible, without regard to what the new appendages might do to the sport. I would pursue the quick buck. If I were a PGA president, however, I would attempt to prevent the same kind of rapid expansion that is currently coming back to haunt the NHL, by keeping the focus on events that have customarily drawn high television ratings due to their prestige — namely, the four majors. I would not pursue the quick buck. As a television viewer who just wants to be entertained by something that seems more important than mere venture capitalism, what can I do? The answer is simple because I’m the one holding the remote control. I love the World Series, March Madness, the Super Bowl and the Rose Bowl (I’m Californian). I used to love the Stanley Cup. I love the British Open, the Masters, and perhaps even the other two majors. Of course, history will decide if the FedEx Cup is part of golfing lore. I doubt it. For myself, though, I’ve already decided its importance. After enjoying Tiger’s victory at the PGA, I changed the channel.
By Janaya
September 4, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Enjoyed the shootout between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. However, what puzzled me was afterwards Tiger looks Mickelson in the eye, I assume congratulating him, shakes his hand, and Mickelson thereafter wipes has hand on his pants. He had a disgusted look on his face. I have never seen that on national television.