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PGA tour looking for its own world series
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-01 10:42
The new model would not allow for that.
Woods already has won two majors, two World Golf Championships and has
clinched the money title. One source privy to the discussion said under the new
model, points would be adjusted after the PGA Championship so that up to 70
players would still have a chance to qualify for the Tour Championship and win
the points chase.
The source said the latest proposal is for the points race to start at the
season-opening Mercedes Championships and run through the PGA Championship.
Then, points would be staggered for the final month of the season, much like
NASCAR's Chase for the championship.
The Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone would switch to the week before the
PGA Championship instead of the week after. That means players like Woods or
Phil Mickelson might have to compete in six events in seven weeks.
"We kind of have to if you want to have a chance of the playoff system,
especially toward the end of the year," Woods said. "If you're playing well,
you're going to have to play them all."
Woods has met with Finchem at least four times this year, and presumably has
signed off on the changes.
The one fear about change is getting rid of tournaments that have languished
in the fall with bad fields and low TV ratings. But as the tour gets closer to
its finished product, it appears more likely that those events will be played
after the Tour Championship and give some players a chance to still finish in
the top 125 and keep their cards. In fact, two sources said the tour might add
an event in Northern California, and a title sponsor already has been found.
It's all part of a plan to make golf compelling beyond the four majors.
"There has always been this challenge, having as long a season as we have,
trying to define it for the fan," Finchem said. "The reason the other sports
find it easy is because their season is always about the end. We need a
culminating event that's special, and that you have to play hard to get into."
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