We are not alone....even the players think the FedEx Cup is a crazy idea!!
Written by Greg Shaw, co-owner of Tattoo Golf.
Right from the get-go I found the idea of a playoff system in professional golf a strange idea to say the least. When first announced, the main selling point was the wonderful news that one of the already filthy rich golf professional's would receive a $10 million dollar check for winning this crazy event. To me that meant a yacht upgrade for Tiger but I'm naturally cynical. As viewer ship wanes during the post-major season, the FedEx Cup was supposed to be a shot in the arm for professional golf and was supposed to create an NBA-lie post-season excitement but it's never going to happen! The Tour is an individual game played by individuals, not teams - you just can't build that type of excitement in golf but they found a sucker in FedEx so away we go!
Now assuming we buy what the PGA is selling then how does one go about winning this thing? The short answer is, who the hell knows?? I've tried to understand it but found myself saying, "I don't really care" so that's it for me. Personally I'd watch golf on TV anyway so this FedEx thing does nothing for me but I sincerely doubt that it's going to raise viewer ship by much, if any, at all.
This is just my point of view but NOW, the players are speaking up both with words & action! The guy slated to win this inaugural cup, Tiger Woods, is now saying he's skipping the first event in this 4-event playoff season being held this weekend at Westchester CC in New York. Fatigue coming off his PGA Championship and a need for rest are the reasons given although a crying baby certainly can't be helping the situation either.
Sooooo, now what does Finchem and the PGA do? He was clever enough to get FedEx to pony up some $40 million bucks to kick start the PGA playoff season but without the world's number one player, this balloon is losing air fast so brace yourself for some great spin from the powers that be! Interestingly enough, through months of multi-media ads & endless hours of conversation during tournaments & on the Golf Channel, we've been told that this season-ending playoff is of the utmost importance and would provide high drama yet by skipping this first event, Tiger tells all that this event is no big deal at all.
So much for the actions, now onto the words..... Journeyman Jeff Maggert told the Greensboro Newsrecord last weekend "Probably half the players out here couldn't care less about it....and the other half are indifferent." Speaking of Finchem, Maggert had this to say "I mean, this was his idea. He really didn't consult any of the players. He kind of shoved it down our throats and said, 'This is what we're going to do.'" OUCH
It's too late to change course this year so ahead they will plow but the $40 million question now is, will FedEx deliver again in '08??