The SI.com golf boys lament over the struggling events and throw Commish Tim Finchem under the bus. I agree 1000%. The WGC has become the devil. The FedEx run is simply irrelevant.

Godich: Sadly, the weak field is becoming a recurring theme on the PGA Tour. If you’re not a major or one of the handful of other marquee events, chances are that you’re not going to draw a strong field. My rotisserie league is proof of that.

Van Sickle: Inventing the WGC events and the FedEx Cup playoffs completely undermined and devalued all the other regular Tour events and helped create this preoccupation with Tiger and Phil and superstars only. The Tour needs to get back to its roots of democracy, where every event was significant and relevant and not just some qualifier for the FedEx Cup.

Dusek: But does anyone really think that the PGA Tour, getting ready to negotiate the next series of television deals, will do away with the FedEx Cup Playoff system?

Van Sickle: The PGA Tour will do what it has to do to sell the next TV deal. If TV doesn't want it, they'll have to get rid of it. I know the other events would like to strangle it, as sponsors who spend big money to promote their own companies get FedEx signs jammed down their throats at their own tournaments. I'm not sure I'd put up with that if I was a sponsor.

Morfit: I agree with Gary that the Cup just hasn't worked. I find myself thinking, Oh, so five more weeks until we pretend to be excited about

Continue Reading ""WGC and FedEx Cup Ruined the Tour""

The SI.com golf boys lament over the struggling events and throw Commish Tim Finchem under the bus. I agree 1000%. The WGC has become the devil. The FedEx run is simply irrelevant.

Godich: Sadly, the weak field is becoming a recurring theme on the PGA Tour. If you’re not a major or one of the handful of other marquee events, chances are that you’re not going to draw a strong field. My rotisserie league is proof of that.

Van Sickle: Inventing the WGC events and the FedEx Cup playoffs completely undermined and devalued all the other regular Tour events and helped create this preoccupation with Tiger and Phil and superstars only. The Tour needs to get back to its roots of democracy, where every event was significant and relevant and not just some qualifier for the FedEx Cup.

Dusek: But does anyone really think that the PGA Tour, getting ready to negotiate the next series of television deals, will do away with the FedEx Cup Playoff system?

Van Sickle: The PGA Tour will do what it has to do to sell the next TV deal. If TV doesn't want it, they'll have to get rid of it. I know the other events would like to strangle it, as sponsors who spend big money to promote their own companies get FedEx signs jammed down their throats at their own tournaments. I'm not sure I'd put up with that if I was a sponsor.

Morfit: I agree with Gary that the Cup just hasn't worked. I find myself thinking, Oh, so five more weeks until we pretend to be excited about

Continue Reading ""WGC and FedEx Cup Ruined the Tour""

The SI.com golf boys lament over the struggling events and throw Commish Tim Finchem under the bus. I agree 1000%. The WGC has become the devil. The FedEx run is simply irrelevant.

Godich: Sadly, the weak field is becoming a recurring theme on the PGA Tour. If you’re not a major or one of the handful of other marquee events, chances are that you’re not going to draw a strong field. My rotisserie league is proof of that.

Van Sickle: Inventing the WGC events and the FedEx Cup playoffs completely undermined and devalued all the other regular Tour events and helped create this preoccupation with Tiger and Phil and superstars only. The Tour needs to get back to its roots of democracy, where every event was significant and relevant and not just some qualifier for the FedEx Cup.

Dusek: But does anyone really think that the PGA Tour, getting ready to negotiate the next series of television deals, will do away with the FedEx Cup Playoff system?

Van Sickle: The PGA Tour will do what it has to do to sell the next TV deal. If TV doesn't want it, they'll have to get rid of it. I know the other events would like to strangle it, as sponsors who spend big money to promote their own companies get FedEx signs jammed down their throats at their own tournaments. I'm not sure I'd put up with that if I was a sponsor.

Morfit: I agree with Gary that the Cup just hasn't worked. I find myself thinking, Oh, so five more weeks until we pretend to be excited about

Continue Reading ""WGC and FedEx Cup Ruined the Tour""

The SI.com golf boys lament over the struggling events and throw Commish Tim Finchem under the bus. I agree 1000%. The WGC has become the devil. The FedEx run is simply irrelevant.

Godich: Sadly, the weak field is becoming a recurring theme on the PGA Tour. If you’re not a major or one of the handful of other marquee events, chances are that you’re not going to draw a strong field. My rotisserie league is proof of that.

Van Sickle: Inventing the WGC events and the FedEx Cup playoffs completely undermined and devalued all the other regular Tour events and helped create this preoccupation with Tiger and Phil and superstars only. The Tour needs to get back to its roots of democracy, where every event was significant and relevant and not just some qualifier for the FedEx Cup.

Dusek: But does anyone really think that the PGA Tour, getting ready to negotiate the next series of television deals, will do away with the FedEx Cup Playoff system?

Van Sickle: The PGA Tour will do what it has to do to sell the next TV deal. If TV doesn't want it, they'll have to get rid of it. I know the other events would like to strangle it, as sponsors who spend big money to promote their own companies get FedEx signs jammed down their throats at their own tournaments. I'm not sure I'd put up with that if I was a sponsor.

Morfit: I agree with Gary that the Cup just hasn't worked. I find myself thinking, Oh, so five more weeks until we pretend to be excited about

Continue Reading ""WGC and FedEx Cup Ruined the Tour""

17-year-old Jordan Spieth lost in the second round to a 15-year old. But the ultimate winner in the U.S. Junior Am is only 14. 14. Jim Liu is the youngest ever in the 63-year event. It's hard to be surprised by anything anymore...

Rick Arnett

17-year-old Jordan Spieth lost in the second round to a 15-year old. But the ultimate winner in the U.S. Junior Am is only 14. 14. Jim Liu is the youngest ever in the 63-year event. It's hard to be surprised by anything anymore...

Rick Arnett

17-year-old Jordan Spieth lost in the second round to a 15-year old. But the ultimate winner in the U.S. Junior Am is only 14. 14. Jim Liu is the youngest ever in the 63-year event. It's hard to be surprised by anything anymore...

Rick Arnett

17-year-old Jordan Spieth lost in the second round to a 15-year old. But the ultimate winner in the U.S. Junior Am is only 14. 14. Jim Liu is the youngest ever in the 63-year event. It's hard to be surprised by anything anymore...

Rick Arnett

Played with fellow AG compadres Robert Rodriguez and Jason Wesch yesterday at Texas Star. Good times, especially when greeted by a friendly and hungry troop of raccoons. They surveyed our carts for morsels and gave us dirty looks upon finding nothing. Hey, hit up the cart girl next time...

Rick Arnett

Played with fellow AG compadres Robert Rodriguez and Jason Wesch yesterday at Texas Star. Good times, especially when greeted by a friendly and hungry troop of raccoons. They surveyed our carts for morsels and gave us dirty looks upon finding nothing. Hey, hit up the cart girl next time...

Rick Arnett

Played with fellow AG compadres Robert Rodriguez and Jason Wesch yesterday at Texas Star. Good times, especially when greeted by a friendly and hungry troop of raccoons. They surveyed our carts for morsels and gave us dirty looks upon finding nothing. Hey, hit up the cart girl next time...

Rick Arnett

Played with fellow AG compadres Robert Rodriguez and Jason Wesch yesterday at Texas Star. Good times, especially when greeted by a friendly and hungry troop of raccoons. They surveyed our carts for morsels and gave us dirty looks upon finding nothing. Hey, hit up the cart girl next time...

Rick Arnett

Jennifer Walcott. 36C-22-33. Born in Youngstown, OH. Moved to Los Angeles in 2000. Wrote a poem that earned a Readers Digest award. Attended enough Playboy parties to finally be selected a 2001 playmate. Now married to former NFL safety Adam Archuleta.

Jennifer Walcott. 36C-22-33. Born in Youngstown, OH. Moved to Los Angeles in 2000. Wrote a poem that earned a Readers Digest award. Attended enough Playboy parties to finally be selected a 2001 playmate. Now married to former NFL safety Adam Archuleta.

Jennifer Walcott. 36C-22-33. Born in Youngstown, OH. Moved to Los Angeles in 2000. Wrote a poem that earned a Readers Digest award. Attended enough Playboy parties to finally be selected a 2001 playmate. Now married to former NFL safety Adam Archuleta.

Jennifer Walcott. 36C-22-33. Born in Youngstown, OH. Moved to Los Angeles in 2000. Wrote a poem that earned a Readers Digest award. Attended enough Playboy parties to finally be selected a 2001 playmate. Now married to former NFL safety Adam Archuleta.

With 3 weeks to go, Tiger Woods is eighth in Ryder Cup points. It's come to the this; Captain Corey Pavin will meet with Woods to gauge his interest to be on the team...he could drop down the standings and need a wild card if the likes of Ricky Barnes and Hunter Mahan outperform him at the Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA in August.

If Tiger does indeed fall to Captain pick status, one wonders what he'll honestly say.

Rick Arnett

With 3 weeks to go, Tiger Woods is eighth in Ryder Cup points. It's come to the this; Captain Corey Pavin will meet with Woods to gauge his interest to be on the team...he could drop down the standings and need a wild card if the likes of Ricky Barnes and Hunter Mahan outperform him at the Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA in August.

If Tiger does indeed fall to Captain pick status, one wonders what he'll honestly say.

Rick Arnett

With 3 weeks to go, Tiger Woods is eighth in Ryder Cup points. It's come to the this; Captain Corey Pavin will meet with Woods to gauge his interest to be on the team...he could drop down the standings and need a wild card if the likes of Ricky Barnes and Hunter Mahan outperform him at the Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA in August.

If Tiger does indeed fall to Captain pick status, one wonders what he'll honestly say.

Rick Arnett

With 3 weeks to go, Tiger Woods is eighth in Ryder Cup points. It's come to the this; Captain Corey Pavin will meet with Woods to gauge his interest to be on the team...he could drop down the standings and need a wild card if the likes of Ricky Barnes and Hunter Mahan outperform him at the Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA in August.

If Tiger does indeed fall to Captain pick status, one wonders what he'll honestly say.

Rick Arnett

Ray Halbritter is the CEO of Nation Enterprises including Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Its the lead sponsor for the Turning Stone tour event (opposite the WGC Bridgestone at Firestone CC). He caused quite the stir by giving himself a sponsor's exemption into the event. He's 60 and says his handicap is down to a 2.

“I had a conversation with the people in charge — myself — and I got lucky and got approved to play,” Halbritter deadpanned, drawing laughter from the gathered media members. He then went on to explain how seriously hard he has worked to make his game respectable.

Good luck with all that. A 2 on the home course is light years from the track he'll face that week. Longer course, higher rough, tougher pins, faster greens and a tough gallery will make him feel like a 20 handicap hack. Oh, and there's the snipes from tour players...

Notah Begay chimes, “Most of it you can’t print,” he said, drawing laughter. “It’s going to be an exercise in controlling nerves. That’s what we do. I’m nervous every day on the first tee. Every player that plays at our level is. It takes a few holes to calm everything down. This will certainly be the biggest event he’s ever played in, and I’m sure there will be a lot of interested spectators coming by just to see how it turns out.”

It'll be a high price to gain some curious PR. You thought Jerry Rice's failed attempt was bad. My guess is Halbritter doesn't break 90.

Rick Arnett

Ray Halbritter is the CEO of Nation Enterprises including Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Its the lead sponsor for the Turning Stone tour event (opposite the WGC Bridgestone at Firestone CC). He caused quite the stir by giving himself a sponsor's exemption into the event. He's 60 and says his handicap is down to a 2.

“I had a conversation with the people in charge — myself — and I got lucky and got approved to play,” Halbritter deadpanned, drawing laughter from the gathered media members. He then went on to explain how seriously hard he has worked to make his game respectable.

Good luck with all that. A 2 on the home course is light years from the track he'll face that week. Longer course, higher rough, tougher pins, faster greens and a tough gallery will make him feel like a 20 handicap hack. Oh, and there's the snipes from tour players...

Notah Begay chimes, “Most of it you can’t print,” he said, drawing laughter. “It’s going to be an exercise in controlling nerves. That’s what we do. I’m nervous every day on the first tee. Every player that plays at our level is. It takes a few holes to calm everything down. This will certainly be the biggest event he’s ever played in, and I’m sure there will be a lot of interested spectators coming by just to see how it turns out.”

It'll be a high price to gain some curious PR. You thought Jerry Rice's failed attempt was bad. My guess is Halbritter doesn't break 90.

Rick Arnett

Ray Halbritter is the CEO of Nation Enterprises including Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Its the lead sponsor for the Turning Stone tour event (opposite the WGC Bridgestone at Firestone CC). He caused quite the stir by giving himself a sponsor's exemption into the event. He's 60 and says his handicap is down to a 2.

“I had a conversation with the people in charge — myself — and I got lucky and got approved to play,” Halbritter deadpanned, drawing laughter from the gathered media members. He then went on to explain how seriously hard he has worked to make his game respectable.

Good luck with all that. A 2 on the home course is light years from the track he'll face that week. Longer course, higher rough, tougher pins, faster greens and a tough gallery will make him feel like a 20 handicap hack. Oh, and there's the snipes from tour players...

Notah Begay chimes, “Most of it you can’t print,” he said, drawing laughter. “It’s going to be an exercise in controlling nerves. That’s what we do. I’m nervous every day on the first tee. Every player that plays at our level is. It takes a few holes to calm everything down. This will certainly be the biggest event he’s ever played in, and I’m sure there will be a lot of interested spectators coming by just to see how it turns out.”

It'll be a high price to gain some curious PR. You thought Jerry Rice's failed attempt was bad. My guess is Halbritter doesn't break 90.

Rick Arnett

Ray Halbritter is the CEO of Nation Enterprises including Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Its the lead sponsor for the Turning Stone tour event (opposite the WGC Bridgestone at Firestone CC). He caused quite the stir by giving himself a sponsor's exemption into the event. He's 60 and says his handicap is down to a 2.

“I had a conversation with the people in charge — myself — and I got lucky and got approved to play,” Halbritter deadpanned, drawing laughter from the gathered media members. He then went on to explain how seriously hard he has worked to make his game respectable.

Good luck with all that. A 2 on the home course is light years from the track he'll face that week. Longer course, higher rough, tougher pins, faster greens and a tough gallery will make him feel like a 20 handicap hack. Oh, and there's the snipes from tour players...

Notah Begay chimes, “Most of it you can’t print,” he said, drawing laughter. “It’s going to be an exercise in controlling nerves. That’s what we do. I’m nervous every day on the first tee. Every player that plays at our level is. It takes a few holes to calm everything down. This will certainly be the biggest event he’s ever played in, and I’m sure there will be a lot of interested spectators coming by just to see how it turns out.”

It'll be a high price to gain some curious PR. You thought Jerry Rice's failed attempt was bad. My guess is Halbritter doesn't break 90.

Rick Arnett

Dead man walking.

Dean Wilson discovered that holding a six-shot lead with 11 holes left is not a slam dunk. Wilson only managed one birdie and 3 bogeys the rest of the way allowing Carl Pettersson to roar back and take the victory. Wilson is one of many dying to regain his full Tour status and chances like this don't come often enough for these journeymen. 

"I knew exactly what it meant, and I just didn't execute my shots. And that's a little disappointing."

One could almost feel his schincter puckering as the lead shrank. Always a tough watch.

Rick Arnett

Dead man walking.

Dean Wilson discovered that holding a six-shot lead with 11 holes left is not a slam dunk. Wilson only managed one birdie and 3 bogeys the rest of the way allowing Carl Pettersson to roar back and take the victory. Wilson is one of many dying to regain his full Tour status and chances like this don't come often enough for these journeymen. 

"I knew exactly what it meant, and I just didn't execute my shots. And that's a little disappointing."

One could almost feel his schincter puckering as the lead shrank. Always a tough watch.

Rick Arnett

Dead man walking.

Dean Wilson discovered that holding a six-shot lead with 11 holes left is not a slam dunk. Wilson only managed one birdie and 3 bogeys the rest of the way allowing Carl Pettersson to roar back and take the victory. Wilson is one of many dying to regain his full Tour status and chances like this don't come often enough for these journeymen. 

"I knew exactly what it meant, and I just didn't execute my shots. And that's a little disappointing."

One could almost feel his schincter puckering as the lead shrank. Always a tough watch.

Rick Arnett

Dead man walking.

Dean Wilson discovered that holding a six-shot lead with 11 holes left is not a slam dunk. Wilson only managed one birdie and 3 bogeys the rest of the way allowing Carl Pettersson to roar back and take the victory. Wilson is one of many dying to regain his full Tour status and chances like this don't come often enough for these journeymen. 

"I knew exactly what it meant, and I just didn't execute my shots. And that's a little disappointing."

One could almost feel his schincter puckering as the lead shrank. Always a tough watch.

Rick Arnett