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PGA Tour radically changes its schedule
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-03 10:37
"If you want to win the cup series, you're going to have to play those
events," Woods said. "It's going to be a lot — six out of seven events at the
end of the year, then probably a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup. That's a lot of
golf, but after that, you're pretty much done, which is great."
It is similar to the Chase for the championship that NASCAR began last year,
in which the top 10 drivers of the season compete in the final 10 races for the
title.
"We go so far into the football season, and so far into the fall, that we
haven't been able to get the kind of strength we see in other sports," Finchem
said. "We're the only major sport that doesn't have a playoff system."
The first step is taking the model to TV negotiations, expected to begin
later this month.
"We have given a general flavor of the direction we're going with our
television partners," Finchem said. "They see the possibilities in terms of
strengthening our overall product."
Some players still expressed concerns.
Chris DiMarco noted that Singh, who has missed the last two cuts, might not
be eligible for the Tour Championship. Woods also missed the cut the last time
he played, two weeks ago at Disney.
Even if a player were to win all four majors, it's conceivable he would not
win the FedEx Cup or even make it to the Tour Championship.
"What's the worst-case scenario? That our Super Bowl doesn't have all the
marquee players," David Toms said.
Finchem did not say how many players would be eligible to win the FedEx Cup,
although he said the three events in the Championship Series would have 144
players.
The Associated Press first reported the new model in July, and tour officials
have been tweaking the concept since. They still are unsure how the points
system will work, and Finchem said there was much work left.
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